3 EASY WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
Here in Australia, we have a lot going for us. We’re the 5th healthiest country in the world and have more than our fair share of spectacular scenery and landmarks. But did you know that when it comes to carbon emissions, we’re in the top 50 offenders in the world? While it’s easy to assume large industrial factories are to blame, this isn’t the whole story. In fact, the average Australian household produces a massive 14 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year! Obviously, this means that most of us are contributing more to global warming than we’d like to be. The good news is, you don’t necessarily have to become a full-time environmental activist to make a difference. By making a few simple tweaks to your lifestyle, you can drastically reduce your carbon footprint. Here’s how to do it:
1. Eat seasonal
Our beautiful country is home to some amazing local produce and there are so many reasons to take advantage of it. Not only is generally cheaper and tastier, it’s far more sustainable. That is, opting for Australian grown and produced food supports local farmers and manufacturers and reduces the ‘food miles’ required to get it onto your plate. Seasonal Food Guide Australia is a great resource for finding out what’s in season.
2. Get active
It’s not just our shopping habits that have increased our national carbon footprint. Research shows that the use of motor transport accounts to more than half of our carbon emissions. Obviously, it’s not possible for everyone to completely ditch their car or swap it for a more eco-friendly model. But by walking or riding a bike just a few days a week (or for part of your commute) you can go a long way in offsetting your carbon usage. It’ll help you sneak some extra exercise into your day, too!
3. Shop smart
One of the easiest ways to shrink your carbon footprint is to change up your shopping habits. Where possible, it’s a great idea to shop local rather than opting for products that have been shipped from overseas (especially when online shopping.) This is because they haven’t had to cross the globe to get to you, therefore reducing the amount of waste and fuel used. It’s also important to be aware of the ingredients in the every day products you use. In particular, many cleaning and laundry products are full of toxic chemicals that can not only be harmful to human health, but to the environment, too. All of Orange Power’s cleaning and laundry products are Australian-made and free from unsustainable and environmentally damaging ingredients, so they’re a great planet-friendly option.