15 Tips to Fight That Footprint!

http://www.globalstewards.org/reduce-carbon-footprint.htm

A carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is a so-called greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere and essentially warming the plant. This is extremely dangerous for two obvious reason: (1) increased temperatures will melt the polar ice caps creating more water in the ocean and flooding coastal lands; and (2) increasing temperatures can cause hazardous environmental conditions for living beings (like humans). You can make a difference and help put a stop to global warming by decreasing your carbon footprint.

Here are 15 ways you can make a difference starting today:

1. Turn off the lights when leaving your dorm room.
A general rule of thumb for compact fluorescent lightbulbs is: if you will be out of a room for more than 15 minutes, turn it off.

2. Don't leave the water on when brushing your teeth.
Running the tap while brushing your teeth can waste 4 gallons of water.

3. Invest in a stainless steel or glass reusable water bottle.
Plastic water bottles account for most of the plastic waste produced in the United States. They come in a wide variety from disposable to reusable, and if you can, you should avoid them all. Plastic bottles frequently contain BPA, which has been linked to cancer in lab tests.

4. Eat locally-sourced foods.
It has been estimated that 13% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions result from the production and transport of food. Dining halls on the Rensselaer campus focus on providing locally sourced, fresh ingredients. The local Troy's Farmers Market held every Saturday is another great way to find local products.

5. Decrease your intake of beef and dairy.
Livestock farming produces from 20% to 50% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions. You can reduce your footprint by a quarter just by cutting down on red meats such as beef and lamb.

6. Recycle!!!
Recycling uses less energy and produces less pollution than making things from scratch. For example, making aluminum cans from old ones uses one twelfth of the energy to make them from raw materials. Recycling bins can be found all over campus! Be sure to look for them before disposing of recyclable items in the trash.

7. Minimize driving by walking, biking, public transportation and carpooling.
According to The Rideshare Company, the average American spends 18 days of the year in a car, each car emitting its own weight in carbon dioxide. Instead of driving your car from your dorm or off-campus house to class, how about walking or taking the shuttle? Shuttle stops can be found all around the campus vicinity and you can even track the location of the shuttle on your iPhone!

8. Unplug electronics when done using them.
Electronics such as chargers continues to use power even if your cell phone/TV/labtop isn't attached, let alone charging. Power supplies don't just convert energy; they consume it. Don't forget to unplug your phone/laptop charger when you leave your dorm room in the morning!

9. Compost your food waste.
The decomposition of organics in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas that, according to the EPA, is 70 times more effective at trapping radiant heat than carbon dioxide. When it comes to global warming, composting directly reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) and other powerful greenhouse gases, like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Compost bins can even be found in the Rensselaer Union!

10. Switch all your lightbulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs.
One bulb can reduce up to 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution during its lifetime.

11. Ditch your desktop computer.
According to Energy Star, a laptop can be up to 80% more energy-efficient than a desktop. Looking for an energy efficient laptop? Rensselaer offers laptops at a discounted price to students!

12. Filter your own water.
Americans use about 50 billion plastic water bottles each year. However, the U.S.'s recycling rate for plastic is only 23 percent, which means 38 billion water bottles – more than $1 billion worth of plastic – are wasted each year. Instead of consistently buying plastic water bottles, try investing in a Britta filter pitcher and filling it up with water from your dorm sink!

13. Plant a tree.
Trees provide shade and oxygen while consuming carbon dioxide. According to the Urban Forestry Network, a single young tree absorbs 13 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. That amount will climb up to 48 pounds annually as trees mature. Just one 10-year-old tree releases enough oxygen into the air to support two human beings.

14. Invest in a programmable thermostat.
In order to save energy inside your home when you aren't in it, a programmable thermostat can power off while you are gone. Moreover, adjusting your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees when you're not home or you're sleeping can cut your energy use by as much as 15%, according to the Energy Department. Don't forget to shut off your AC or heat when leaving your room!

15. Use white trash bags for recycling instead of black ones.
Due to the pigmentation of black trash bags, they cannot be recycled. However, the white ones can.

See how easy it is to reduce your carbon footprint? :)