Why is it important to reduce our carbon and energy emissions?
Climate change is driven by increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet.
Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour and nitrous oxide 1. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is now reaching levels 50% higher than in pre-Industrial times 2 and similar increases are seen in other GHGs.
An individual, organisation or community's carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere as a result of their activities - this is a good reflection of their contribution to global carbon emissions and can be influenced greatly by lifestyle and practices, Although 100 corporations are responsible for 71% carbon emissions 3, we as individuals have the power to change increasing GHG levels by changing our lifestyle and using our power as consumers, citizens, peers and educators to influence the governments, companies and individuals around us.
Although through the other categories of Green Hacks you are likely to reduce your carbon and energy footprint, further ways to reduce your emissions are featured in this category.
How do you reduce your carbon and energy emissions? Share your tips with the hashtag #GreenHacks and tag us for the chance to be featured on our social media!
References
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Denchak, M. (2019). Greenhouse Effect 101. NRDC; https://www.nrdc.org/stories/greenhouse-effect-101
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Betts, R. (2021). Met Office: Atmospheric CO2 now hitting 50% higher than pre-industrial levels. World Economic Forum; https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/met-office-atmospheric-co2-industrial-levels-environment-climate-change/
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Griffin, P. (2017). CDP Carbon Majors Report 2017. Carbon Majors Database; https://b8f65cb373b1b7b15feb-c70d8ead6ced550b4d987d7c03fcdd1d.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/cms/reports/documents/000/002/327/original/Carbon-Majors-Report-2017.pdf?1499691240