Why Reduce your Carbon Footprint?
It is very important to understand the impact on the environment caused by greenhouse gases. Global warming is arguably the biggest challenge faced by mankind. Temperatures have risen globally, causing the glaciers to melt and sea water levels to rise. This has also led to changes in local climate patterns in different parts of the world. One more impact that needs to be considered is the health of living creatures. Growing emissions cause air and water pollution besides altering the eco-system and this has a direct effect on the health of living creatures.
To cut down on the carbon footprint implies minimizing the impact of human activities on the environment. Individual effort may not necessarily bring about a radical change but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
Reducing carbon footprints brings with it benefits like saving on money and energy for individuals as well as businesses.
Reducing carbon footprints is thus an economic incentive for businesses to cut down on their carbon emissions.
Techniques employed for reducing Carbon Footprint
Carbon Credit is part of a worldwide attempt to check the rise in greenhouse gas emissions by way of carbon trading or emissions trading. Carbon credits provide a monetary value to the cost incurred for not polluting the atmosphere. Thus, they create a market focusing on a cap on global emissions, encouraging business establishments to undertake eco-friendly activities in return for economic benefits.
Carbon Offsetting is an instrument to reduce the carbon footprint by using techniques like afforestation and reforestation.
Energy audits can be done to enable industry to spot the areas which need energy conservation. Inspections and surveys are carried out to advice businesses on reducing the consumption of energy.
Ushering in a change?
Energy wastage, in most industrial environments, takes place since temperatures preset for heating or cooling systems are never maintained. Reducing energy wastage in industrial environments by preventing heat loss can be done by using insulation as well as other solutions such as PVC strip curtains.
Use of waterless urinals, fitting sensors and flow regulators for faucets is a step towards water conservation. Recycling and reusing water are steps that can be adopted by factories and industrial establishments to avoid wastage of water.
Also water used for industrial purposes can be treated and recycled before disposal thereby reducing the effort involved in disposal of such water.
Using energy saving lights and appliances in offices helps in reducing unnecessary electricity consumption.
Using environmentally friendly packing techniques like avoiding use of plastic or Styrofoam, manufacturers can reduce their carbon footprint, Sourcing raw material from local suppliers, companies can cut their transportation and shipping costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
The amount of construction waste can be reduced by recovering building materials that can be recycled. Waste compactors can be used which reduces the need for frequent waste collection thereby reducing the pollution caused due to dumping trucks.
Proper training can help in educating the people on how they can do their bid to save the environment. Incentives encouraging people to adopt eco-friendly measures can be provided.
