About Newquay
Your Carbon Footprint
We've all heard about carbon footprints but what does it actually mean?
We all, by our everyday activities, have an impact on the environment and in particular climate change. Greenhouse gases are produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.
So how can we reduce our carbon footprint?
Switch off your TV! Joking aside, electricity is one of the biggest carbon emitters so switching off electrical items when not in use is a great start. Here are some other suggestions to get started which could actually save you money as well:
1. Sign up to a green energy supplier, who will supply electricity from renewable sources (e.g. wind and hydroelectric power) - this will reduce your carbon footprint contribution from electricity to zero
2. Turn down the central heating slightly (try just 1 to 2 degrees C)
3. Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)
4. Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work
5. Fill your dishwasher and washing machine with a full load - this will save you water, electricity and washing powder
6. Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need
7. Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it
In terms of travel and work :
1. Why not car share to work or use public transport?
2. For short journeys either walk or cycle
3. See if your employer will allow you to work from home one day a week
4. Next time you replace your car - check out diesel engines.
5. When on holiday - hire a bicycle to explore locally rather than a car
6. When staying away turn the lights and air-conditioning off when you leave your room
7. Do you switch your PC and office lights off at the end of your working day?
To calculate your carbon footprint click here.
