Recently it has been harder and harder not to turn an eye of scrutiny on the way you are living, and ask yourself how much of an impact you are having on the environment around you. The effects of climate change can be seen all over the globe, and the devastating consequences the melting ice caps and increasing temperatures are having on our planet’s (Source) wildlife. Polar Bears have nowhere to rest with their young, and Koala Bears are drinking water for the first time in history. It can be hard to believe that one human can make any significant overall change, but the known saying “be the change you want to see” is more relevant than ever right now. Setting a good example for your friends, family and neighbours could influence them to scrutinise the ways in which they are contributing to climate change. Letting them know how the changes you are making can benefit not only themselves but the environment too could be the gentle push they need to make some changes for the better. Here are a few things you can do to turn your carbon footprint greener and help you to do your part in preserving the planet that you know and love.
Triple Glazed Windows
The NSG Group explains that glass actually has a unique part to play in the contribution to harmful gas emissions. Their research has shown that: “if all the buildings in Europe invested in low energy insulating glass, ninety million tonnes of CO2 emissions could be cut, and a further seven million if there is greater use of triple glazed insulating glass”. Based on this argument - if you have windows that are over ten years old and are in need of replacing, you may want to consider the triple-glazed alternative to their double-glazed partner. It will not only help cut your heating bills but help to reduce the harmful emissions your own home is sending into the atmosphere.
Solar Panels
Renewable energy that is just as effective as traditional energy sources- without the consistent purging of harmful greenhouse gases into the environment, should be growing in popularity every day. However, it does come with a large price tag attached that may put some people off. Yes, there is the initial cost of installation; however, the benefits that solar panels will have on both your monthly bills and carbon footprint may become invaluable to you in the long run. Researching, budgeting, and looking at your finances with the help of a personal loan calculator, may help you to decide whether this option is viable and achievable for you. Bearing in mind that electricity prices may increase annually, that increase will outweigh the money you will save by not paying the initial price for solar panels - especially if the solar panels provide enough energy to cover the amount you and your family use daily. You may find the only outgoing costs on your solar panels are the installation and any repair payments. Which, all together, will be a considerable amount cheaper than monthly payments for non-renewable, environmentally-harming energy.
Hopefully, this has opened your eyes to how you can best reduce your carbon footprint and invest in not only your own future but your planet’s too.
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