10 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- Sami Hoeldtke
- Apr 10, 2025
- 4 min read
For starters…what’s a carbon footprint?
While the concept of human life impacting our environment has been around for a while, the term “carbon footprint” did not gain popularity until the 2003 when the oil company BP (the irony) launched an ad in which they encouraged people to calculate their carbon footprint as a way to measure the impact of their life on the planet (and to put responsibility for environmental impacts back on the individual of course).
The term is now defined as “a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.”
There have been many evolutions of this term and concept, not with “ecological footprint”, “land footprint” etc. and while the individual consumer is not to blame at large for the carbon emissions that are contributing to a changing climate, there are still changes you can make in your own life to have an even lesser impact.
So now that we know what it means, let’s break down 10 easy ways you can reduce your carbon footprint.
1. Participate in Meatless Mondays/Limit Meat Consumption
Before you roll your eyes, let's break this down;
the carbon footprint of beef is 9.73 kg CO2 per 4oz burger, which is over 24x higher than the carbon footprint of soy for comparison. While the production process of food is incredibly complex and nuanced, swapping out a few servings of meat on a weekly basis for other alternatives will reduce your carbon footprint and give you an excuse to try out some new recipes.
2. Adjust Your Thermostat to Closer Match the Weather
Keeping your thermostat at a lower temperature during winter and warmer during the summer will reduce the energy needed to heat and cool your home respectively. For example if you normally keep your heat at 70F during the winter, turn it down to 68F. Likewise, if you crank the AC in the summer, raise the set temperature a few degrees warmer. This tip will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but your energy bill too.
3. Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Not only do plastic shopping bags contribute to waste and pollution, they’re actually made from fossil fuels! Let this tip also serve as a reminder that you can bring and use reusable shopping bags for other things besides just groceries. Bring one to Target with you, or next time you head out to the mall.
4. Buy Second-Hand
Unfortunately, the creation of virtually any new goods comes with a cost of fossil fuels which makes buying second-hand the more eco-friendly, and economic option for a wide variety of items. Some go to’s are of course thrift stores for smaller household items and clothing, but could also include stores like Plato’s Closet, Habitat Restore, or even Facebook marketplace. These places are at least worth a browse before you buy new.
5. Use Public Transportation/Carpooling When You Can (Bonus for Walking/Biking)
Certain cities have better public transit than others, so be empowered to research your neighborhood and see what options are out there. Carpooling is also something that is situationally dependent but more often than not, people are down to share a ride. Co workers, friends and family are all people you could ask to share rides with. An even better alternative in terms of reducing your carbon footprint would be to walk/run/bike/rollerblade to places if applicable. Favorite coffee shop too far away? Drive part way and go for a morning stroll the remaining distance to grab your favorite drink. Most of us could benefit from boosting our step count anyways.
6. Keep Your Car Well-Maintained
This tip may seem a little unconventional for an article on reducing your carbon footprint but the truth is most of us here in the States rely heavily on personal vehicles for transportation. In the long haul, the more efficient your vehicle runs, the less gas it uses and the longer it will last you.
7. Unplug Devices/Appliances When Not In Use
Surprisingly, even when plugged in appliances are not turned on, they still consume minimal amounts of energy through the wall socket. This might not seem like a big deal, but multiply that by every single thing you have plugged in, by 365 days, by however many years and…it adds up. Now imagine if everyone in the world practiced this? No doubt it would have an impact. Thistip also spans beyond the scope of typical electronic devices like tablets and phones, but includes lamps and toasters as well.
8. Opt For Reusable Containers and Cutlery
Similar to the reusable shopping bag tip, bringing and using your own reusable containers and cutlery is an easy way to significantly cut down on your household waste, especially if you frequent drive throughs. Just remember to ask the staff to please hold on the plastic silverware etc. Swapping plastic baggies for reusable tupperware is another example of this swap that you can make in your kitchen. So next time you run out, think twice before restocking those Ziplocs.
9. Rehome Your No-Longer-Needed Items
The basic idea here is keeping things out of the landfill, as waste is a huge Carbon culprit. While donating is definitely charitable, the unfortunate reality is that a large amount of clothing donated still ends up going to waste. If you are able to directly rehome or sell your items that is amazing, otherwise donate them to a reputable location near you.
10. Put Your Vote To Use
Voting for public officials who advocate for our environment is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of a population at large. Your voice matters, and it can help elect those who support environmentally-conscious legislature and projects.
Sources:
https://consumerecology.com/beef-carbon-footprint-environmental impact/#:~:text=The%20Carbon%20Footprint%20of%20Beef,24.5%20times%20higher%20than%20Soy.
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