Your Carbon Footprint
We hear a lot about how the carbon footprint that we leave behind is
harming the environment as a whole and contributing to global warming.
The good news however is that we still have time to make amends and
reduce the carbon footprint that we leave behind. We need to understand
that reducing the amount of carbon emission can make a huge difference
in combating global warming.
Some facts about carbon footprint
Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases that we end up emitting into the atmosphere, daily. The unit is
expressed in kilograms or tonnes. To prevent global warming, WHO
recommends that each person, per year, should leave behind not more than
2 tonnes of carbon footprint.
However, unfortunately, the carbon footprint that is left behind in the
environment by an average person is about 4 tonnes per person. The
carbon emission in the past ten years has been the highest ever and has
mainly been triggered by the excess burning of fossil fuel – leading to
global public health concern and protection of human health from the
climatic changes.
The carbon footprint of an individual, nation or firm is measured by
undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once you know the size and
impact of the carbon footprint, you can decide upon a strategy that will
help you reduce your impact on the environment.
A very important way in which a number of firms carbon neuter themselves
is by paying for the development of alternate projects that are
environment friendly – be it reforestation or developing solar or wind
energy. This method is called carbon offsetting as the carbon that you
are emitting in to the environment is being offset with the help of the
projects that you have undertaken, thereby balancing the carbon
emission.
Why should you reduce carbon footprint?
‘Wiping’ your carbon footprint will help you to be truly
environmentally sustainable, save money as well as greenhouse gas
emissions. You can also show your customers that you care and can get
access to green markets with the backing of the environmental standard;
ISO 140. In addition, by caring for the environment today, we are making
sure that we can give the future generation a safe and healthy place to
live in. |
