Currently, the amounts of CO2 far exceed those that occurred naturally at the end of the last glaciation 20,000 years ago. Carbon dioxide or CO2 is a greenhouse gas (GHG) that traps the sun’s heat and ‘warms up’ the atmosphere.
This GHG comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), forest fires, among others, accelerating the global warming of the planet.
Factors that influence CO2 emissions
CO2 emissions depend on numerous factors: the amount and origin of the electricity we use, the use of traditional vehicles, the type of consumers we are, the food, packaging, clothing, technology we choose, how often we change our mobile phone, and whether we recycle and reuse things.
The production of CO2 is closely linked to our daily actions, so each person has a personal carbon footprint that varies according to their behavior and choices.
Personal interactions also influence the amount of CO2 released. Even if we take precautions in our personal life, by visiting people who do not recycle, we generate waste that indirectly increases our carbon footprint.
Every action has a direct or indirect impact on our carbon footprint, whether at work, at the gym, on vacation, at the movies, or shopping.
What can we do to reduce our carbon footprint?
The answer is YES, we can do something. Every action has repercussions in terms of CO2 emissions, and if we are aware of it, we can limit our participation. Opting for electric vehicles, making essential trips, using public transportation, demanding that the carbon footprint of products and services be public, and pushing for the use of renewable energies and sustainable production are good ideas.
At home, there are details we must correct in our daily routine to reduce the amount of CO2 and save resources and money.
Conserving water, opting for energy efficiency, not wasting food, buying only what is necessary, recycling waste, repairing and reusing as much as possible, and donating what we don’t need should be daily habits.
In addition to personally contributing to reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emitted, we will be setting an example for others.
The sum of many efforts and public pressure promote and force the need for major changes. Only collective and massive action, motivated by social awareness, can stop the self-destructive whirlwind in which we are immersed.
Have you visited our YouTube channel yet? Subscribe!
