TH!NK post
Few Tips For CO2 Reduction
Published 31st October 2010 - 12 comments - 1670 views -
Walk or ride a bike as much as you can. It is good not only for our health but also for environment. If you can go on foot or bike to work or do your „light“ shopping, take the opportunity. One litre of burnt fuel in a motor vehicle equals to 2,5 kg of CO2. Try to ovoid car trip shorter than three kilometres as fuel consumption and CO2 emission is much higher.
Get yourself a mug at work. Not only you will make yourself feel at home, but if you drink two coffees per day, you save about 400 plastic/paper cups per year.
Recycle. One recycled aluminium saves 90% energy needed for production of a new one which is 9 kg CO2 emissions per one kilogram of aluminium. 1 kg of recycled glass prevents 300 g CO2 and 1 kg of paper saves 900 g CO2 and methan emissions. Each recycled ton of paper saves 17 trees compared to paper from unused materials.
Do you have a garden? Recycle organic waste. Make a compost in proper way and you will benefit from it twice – your waste will become nurture for your plants.
Do not use paper towels. Dry your hands into towels. When you spill something on floor, use mop or sponge to clean it.
Plastic shopping bags can stay in environment 15 – 1,000 years. Treat yourself with a nice-designed fabric one.
Give your old garments to charity shops or stacking grounds.
Wash your car manually – car wash needs more electricity and water.
Make sure your tyres are properly pumped up. If air pressure is below 0,5 bar, your car consumes 2,5% more fuel and therefore produces 2,5% more CO2 emission.
Drive savely and keep speed limits. If you drive more than 120 km/hr, fuel consumption goes up by 30% compared to 80 km/hr. The most economical are gear shifts 4, 5, 6.
Use car air-conditioning only when necessary. Do not switch on immediately after getting in. Drive few minutes with open windows and turn it on only then. Air-conditioning on means 5% more fuel consumption and emissions.
Try to travel by train instead of plane or car. Average two-hour flight produces 200 – 250 kg CO2 emissions per person. Fly only to destinations further than 700 km, take train otherwise. One transatlantic flight produces almost half of CO2 which an average person generates in a year by lighting, heating and car travel.
One person in a car sends to air three times more CO2 emissions than if travelling by train. Car share whenever you can. Average new car generates 160 g CO2 /km, plane 100 - 250 g/km, bus 40 - 80 g/km, train 40 - 160g/km.
Source of information: http://ec.europa.eu/clima/sites/campaign/index_cs.htm
Photo: www.flickr.com
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About the author
Radka LankasovaCzech Republic
Coach
I am a coach & HR consultant and also a keen blogger with interest in the world around me, especially sustainability and education. I will try to write about things I consider important, interesting, can influence and/or change and also good news as there is never enough of it.
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Nice and brief. And useful.
Can you just tell me what is (are) the source(s) of data?
Crikey! I forgot to include the source website in the text. I already did that and it is in the updated version at the bottom. Thanks for reminding me!
Some of the numbers are terrible! I had no idea about it.
I like these simple and doable tips. I know there are more people who are getting more creative to try to reduce their carbon footprints. your list is very helpful and useful. thanks.
@ Anna, yes, when you see the numbers, you understand connection for innstance between your car fumes and CO2 emissions. People hear it, but sometimes don´t realize it fully.
@ Menandro, they are easy, aren´t they. In fact, they don´t require any investment, on the contrary you can save plenty of money doing them. And save the planet too
.
I appreciate this information very much, thanks a lot. It’s a great topic for discussion with friends here in Switzerland
Mila
I like the one with getting the mug
In our office we use the tanks for potable water where you can get hot/cold from the same place. Oh and now with the time to change for winter tyres, I will check the pumping.
Andrea, thanks for your note. Water fountains which you talk about are certainly needed in places where the water is not good for many reasons.
But in Europe tap water is safe and tasty and I see it as another unnecessary waste.
Plastic bag can be here for up 1 000 years? Shouldn´t be there a compulsory change of legislation?
Jaroslav, I agree there should be. However food chains especially started charging customers for plastic bags and they also sell fabric ones so situation is certainly better than a couple of years ago.
Excellent tips shared here!! I appreciate author of this article for these constructive views. I think to reduce CO2 these tips will be handy. Keep them coming.
Excellent tips shared here!! I appreciate author of this article for these constructive views. I think to reduce CO2 these tips will be handy. Keep them coming.
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