10 Tips to Reduce Carbon Emissions

At Enough CO2 we do not believe you need to make large sacrifices in your lifestyle to save the planet. There are many easy ways that you can reduce your carbon footprint, while saving money, getting fit or eating better. We believe in working smarter not harder.

Below are our top ten tips for reducing your CO2 emissions. If you have better ideas, then let us know via email or post a comment on our blog.

Eat More Vegetables and Grains

Or in other words, eat less meat. By eating smaller portions, between 150g and 200g, of organic cuts of meat; you can be healthier and save money; while getting a improved cut of top quality meat. Many dieticians now recommend that you consume up to 180 grams of meat per meal. Currently the average male in the US, UK and Australia consumes up to 400 grams per serving;

Select a Green Electricity Provider

It takes just one call or 10 minutes on the computer to make the switch to green electricity. You can reduce your household's carbon footprint by up to 2 tonnes a year when you move to green electricity providers. The two key points to consider when selecting a green energy provider are:

1. Is the renewable energy incremental? Is the power company adding extra green energy production (wind, hydro, solar etc...) or simply reallocating existing green energy supply;
2. What does the new green energy cost? When you consider your current energy supplier, service and cost are important and it's the same with green energy suppliers. You don't need to pay more to go green and if you look at our suppliers you should not have to;

Stop Using your Tumble Dryer

Tumble dryers are one of the largest energy consuming devices in the average house. Internal clothes hangers and outside eco lines provide a cost effective and carbon reducing alternative. The difference is massive;

Insulate your Home

With proper insulation you can cut your energy use dramatically. While you are saving the planet you are also saving money. Have a look at our attic insulation and home insulation pages for more detailed information;

Leave the Car at Home

Are you able to take public transport to work each day? Is there a cycle path that you can use or are you able to walk to work in the Summer? Getting in the habit of leaving the car at home for your daily commute to work or school can be a great way to save money, save the planet and maybe get fit at the same time;

Inflate your Car Tyres to the Correct Pressure

When you are using the car, make sure that you tyres are inflated to the correct tyre pressure. Under inflated tyres use 0.3% more fuel for every drop of 1 psi. Many cars operate in the 32 to 36 psi range and tyres that are inflated to 22 psi mean you are using an 5% more petrol and burning 5% more CO2 to do the same job;

Don't Leave Appliances on Stand-by

Some appliances use 80% of their standard power when they are on stand-by, meaning you are only saving 20% power by turning the TV off when you place it in stand-by mode;

Buy Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Energy efficient light bulbs use up to 70% less energy than conventional ones. By making the simple switch you can save up to 2 tonnes of carbon and $30 per year. It is true that many energy efficient light bulbs emit a color of light that is more like a fluorescent lamp, however there are products on the market that are indistinguishable from the bulbs they are replacing. For the best products and information on how to select a CFL lamp, look here;

Install a Solar Cell on Your Roof

In some countries solar subsidies are available to help you make the switch to solar power, you can even sell your excess power back into the market and make an income. As with any investment there is an outlay at the beginning and you receive your returns over time. The average solar system pays for itself in less than 10 years, helps your environment and secures your personal energy future;

Offset Your Some Emissions

There are times in your life when you want to use products that will emit large amounts of CO2. A European holiday, spending a week on the beach in the Caribbean or exploring the wilds of Africa. There are many things that you don't want to miss in your life, so when these occur, simply offset your flight emissions with a Carbon Offset Voucher. You can use our carbon calculator to see how much CO2 you are using and then offset it by a method of your choice;