We have all heard the term "carbon footprint" but what does it mean and how can you reduce yours? Wikipedia defines carbon foot print as "the carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide attributable to the actions of an individual (which includes emissions through their energy use, but other unforeseen emissions as well) over a period of one year.
This definition underlies the personal carbon calculators.
The term owes its origins to the idea that a footprint is what has been left behind as a result of the individual's activities.
Carbon footprints can either consider only direct emissions (typically from energy used in the home and in transport, including travel by cars, airplanes, rail and other public transport), or can also include indirect emissions (including CO2 emissions as a result of goods and services consumed).
Reducing your CO2 emissions not only helps protect the planet and you from climate change but also saves you money.
How? By making your home more energy efficient you cut not only your consumption but also your bills.
10 ways to save money by cutting your CO2 1.
An energy saving light bulb reduces CO2 and will save you £60 over its life time.
If you have 10 lights in your house this will save you a massive £600.
00.
Switch your lights off when you leave a room and save even more.
2.
Insulate your loft and cavity walls (note to john, research the govt grant) and save £180.
00 every year.
Most properties in the UK don't have the recommended amount if insulation.
Loft insulation is simple and you can even do it yourself.
3.
You could be making fewer trips to the pump and cutting pounds off your fuel bill if you choose a more fuel efficient model when you're next buying a car.
Visit the 'Top 10 fuel efficient cars' tool to see new cars with the lowest CO2 emissions and you could save up to three months' worth of fuel in a year or, on average £300.
00 per year 4.
Putting a cover on your hot water tank will pay for itself six months and could save around £30.
00 per year.
5.
Look for the label.
When buying products that use energy - anything from light bulbs to fridge-freezers - save money on your energy bills by looking for the Energy Saving Recommended label or European energy label rating of A or higher.
You could save up to £34.
00 a year.
6.
Keep twice as warm with double glazing Double glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50 per cent and could cut your heating bill by around £110.
00 a year.
7.
Waste less food Throwing away food unnecessarily costs the average UK family £420.
00 a year, so this is a good place to look for savings.
Planning your meals, making a shopping list so you don't buy too much and being aware of what's in your fridge and store cupboard can all add up to money off your food bill.
8.
Turn down the thermostat.
By reducing the temperature by 1 degree you can save £49.
00 per year 9.
Setting your heating to turn off one hour before you leave the house and come on half an hour before you get home could save you £51 a year.
10.
Setting your heating to turn off one hour before you leave the house and come on half an hour before you get home could save you £51 a year.
That adds up to a massive £1225.
00 saving without including the £600.
00 saving by using energy saving light bulbs.
Let's not forget the reason we looked at this.
Taking these steps will also have a huge impact on your carbon footprint.
Please give this some thought and act today.
Global warming and climate change are fueled by man but it is within our power to act now and make a real difference.
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