I feel like sometimes—in all the hullabaloo about living sustainably, going green, and just being more eco-friendly—we forget that not everyone automatically knows everything about green living. More often than not, articles on being green offer suggestions and tips assuming that the reader has a baseline understanding about what it all means.
But what about the novice eco-warrior? How are they supposed to start their journey to being more mindful? Looking up essential terms like “sustainability” means a bunch of academic journals pop up; and no one likes spending hours trying to understand one article, let alone a whole virtual book of them.
Knowledge should be inclusive and transparent—and that’s why I’ll be taking us back to the basics today with something we’ve all heard of, but maybe don’t yet fully understand: the carbon footprint.
Carbon Footprint 101
What is a carbon footprint?
Your carbon footprint isn’t a literal thing; it doesn’t mean you’re taking a physical step that somehow creates carbon dioxide. Instead, your carbon footprint is this concept that every choice you make creates greenhouse gases, and that those gases in turn affect our planet.
Choices like the kind of produce you buy, car you drive, and where you get your clothing from, all create some level of greenhouse gases. For example, we know that gasoline comes from fossil fuels, and burning fossil fuels creates exhaust which contributes to the depletion of our ozone layer.
Why does that matter?
Think of the ozone layer like plastic wrap around the Earth; protecting us from the sun’s UV rays. The same way that guacamole turns brown if you don’t seal it in an airtight container, the ozone layer keeps us from turning brown (i.e. the bad kind of roasty-toasty) from too much exposure to the sun.
Now, as the human population has continued to grow, more and more people are making choices that create greenhouse gases. While it may not seem like a huge deal if one person drives a gas vehicle, when it’s people in the billions, that amount of pollution adds up!
This is where our carbon footprint comes into play.
The carbon footprint of the average US citizen is about 16 TONS. That’s four times more than almost anyone else on the planet. And while there’s a bunch of factors that contribute to this number, a lot of it comes down to our culture of consumption.
Creating positive change
When you look up tips for reducing your carbon footprint it’s always advice like “walk to work,” or “eat less meat.” And while that’s good advice, it’s hard to make the “right” choice sometimes. Fresh fruits and vegetables cost more than junk food. Meat is a more accessible source of protein than seitan or chickpeas.
We make choices that are convenient because choosing sustainability isn’t always an accessible option.
The size of our carbon footprint is not entirely our fault, and I think that’s an important distinction to make. While we can try to live greener, it’s crucial not to get caught up in guilting yourself for not “doing enough.” Educating ourselves is the first step to reducing our carbon footprint, and so long as you understand how you’re affecting your environment, you’re bringing change through awareness.
And let’s be real, sometimes it’s easier for us to create positive changes that balance out our consumption rather than cutting back entirely. For those who have to commute to work, planting a tree, making the most of your food scraps, or donating to a charity may be a more realistic option to reduce your impact on the environment. Small acts do add up.
Remember, there is no “wrong” way to approach sustainability. Keep educating yourself, aim for small, sustainable changes over grand gestures, and you’ll be making more progress than you ever thought possible.
Not sure where to start? Here are some articles to help you find eco friendly habits that work for you!
How to Quit Palm Oil
Your Guide to Vegan Leather That’s Actually Sustainable
6 Sustainable Apps to Help You Become a More Conscious Consumer
A Beginner’s Guide to Shopping More Sustainably
your two cents