How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with Tech

Many common daily activities, like doing laundry, preparing food and driving to work, emit greenhouse gases. The more greenhouse gases, the higher the carbon footprint. Conversely, the fewer greenhouse gases you create, the smaller your negative impact is on the environment. If you want an estimation of the size of your carbon footprint based on your actions, you can use a carbon footprint calculator.

Once you know which of your activities are creating the most greenhouse gases, you’re in a better position to start thinking of ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home and on the go. For example, transportation and electricity production are the sources of most of the greenhouse emissions in the United States.See Disclosure ¹ If you’re wondering how to make a positive impact by living more sustainably, read on to discover the best tech products to help you along the way.

Since electricity production makes up a significant percentage of greenhouse gases, it makes sense to try and use as little as possible. One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home is by relying on solar power as an energy source. Instead of using a wall outlet to charge your phone or tablet, opt for a solar battery charger that is fueled by the sun’s rays. You can even take portable solar panels on outdoor excursions like camping and hiking rather than using batteries that will end up in a landfill someday.

Another way to use less energy at home is by purchasing energy-efficient appliances. When shopping for a new refrigerator or washer and dryer, be sure to look for ENERGY STAR Certified Products that have a yellow sticker. In order to have earned this designation, products must meet the strict requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Not only do these appliances use less energy to run, but they can also help save you money by lowering your utility bill.

In addition, turning off lights and appliances when not in use can substantially affect how much energy you expend. One way to limit your waste of energy is to utilize smart home technology. With these products, you can program your smart light bulbs to turn off and on at certain times each day. Plus, you can set your Wi-Fi thermostat to a reasonable temperature in the winter and summer months so that you know what to expect to pay for heating and cooling while you monitor your energy usage.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation accounts for 27% of all greenhouse gas emissions, the greatest of all sources.See Disclosure ³ Fortunately, there are now eco-friendly transportation alternatives that help reduce the negative environmental impact that fuel-based vehicles cause. For instance, more people are choosing to commute to work and school via electric bikes and scooters. This is also a benefit to pocketbooks as gas prices continue to grow and exceed the cost of electricity. But most importantly, fewer carbon emissions are entering the atmosphere.

For those who still need to drive a car, e-vehicles are becoming increasingly common and more affordable as more manufacturers design their automobiles with green standards. Better yet, there are easy ways to charge electric cars at home with EV charging gear. Hopefully in the years to come, electric mopeds and other e-vehicles will be the norm rather than the exception, all leading to a more sustainable future.

Until then, you can make a positive impact on your world by learning how to reduce your carbon footprint at home and on the go. The good news is that you’ve already taken the first step by reading about the tech that will enable you to reduce the emissions that result from your personal activities.