This year’s rainy season is anticipated to build on from the last week of May to the first week of June. Currently, the country is experiencing patchy rains. In line with this, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) issued a warning for the first super typhoon to hit the Philippines this 2023. Super typhoon Mawar, also known as “Betty” in its local name, is forecasted to have maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near its core and gusts of 265 kph while moving 20 kph to the west. Strong to storm-force weather is probable over the extreme Northern Luzon, while strong to gale-force weather is possible across the northern and eastern reaches of Northern Luzon mainland.
Super typhoon threats are nothing new to the Philippines; we have already been hit by several of them. Super typhoons are products of climate change. According to research, this is a result of greater sea surface temperatures and higher subsurface sea temperatures, which eliminate the protective natural buffer that cooler water under the ocean’s top provides against typhoon force. Also, the consequences of these powerful typhoons will be made worse by the sea-level rise brought on by climate change. Further studies suggest, the occurrence of powerful cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons is rising and will keep doing so for the foreseeable future. Rapid decarbonization of our society and economy, along with the implementation of local adaption techniques can stop the worst natural disasters from getting worse. The Philippines is constantly increasing in population making it more susceptible to severe storms. This is why it is critical right now to raise awareness about how we can save the world to combat climate change, especially by reducing each individual’s carbon footprint.
Read More: Typhoon-prone Philippines and its Impact
What is Carbon Footprint?
A person’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are created to, directly and indirectly, support their daily activities are referred to as their “carbon footprint.” A person, an organization, a product, or an event, may have carbon dioxide emissions, a carbon footprint that is measured in equivalent tons of CO2 over the course of a year. A carbon footprint is a crucial tool for determining how a person’s actions affect climate change. Because of this, everyone who truly wants to combat global warming must monitor and keep track of their own carbon footprint, at least on a personal level.
To put it another way, your carbon footprint is the total quantity of carbon emissions or greenhouse gas emissions that result from your daily human activity. Every single one of us contributes to carbon emissions. every single machinery, human, plant, and animal produces a carbon footprint. Data from 2021 states that around 4.7 tonnes of CO2 are emitted globally by the daily average person.
Individual carbon footprints may be reduced but it takes patience and dedication. We may start to have a significant impact on the world by making minor adjustments to our everyday activities, such as eating less meat, booking fewer connecting flights, and line-drying our clothing. Below are tips on how to reduce your personal carbon footprint.
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprints?
Save Energy
Electricity generation is not a natural process. Gas, coal, and other natural gas are fossil fuels that are burnt in power plants to create electricity. Burning fossil fuels produces air pollutants such as emissions of greenhouse gases. Power plants can only produce a certain amount of electricity to meet the needs of a particular community. In other words, if homes use more energy, then power plants will need to produce more electricity.
Energy efficiency is the practice of utilizing less energy to accomplish the same task simultaneously saving the planet while you save money. Minimizing our home energy consumption should be practiced. Below are specific tips on how to reduce carbon footprint at home:
Turn off unused home energy
During the day, especially if you don’t need them, switch off the lights. To lessen your carbon footprint and contribute to environmental preservation, you may also turn off your appliances and unplug chargers. There are numerous household emissions in your home that should be turned off when not used.
Use Natural Light
Instead of using light bulbs, it is more environmental-friendly to use natural light in our homes. Designing the house to welcome sunlight to flow within will cost less in energy usage. Also, energy saving light bulbs that use solar panels are in for the current home trends which are easy to install.
Minimize Air Conditioning
Air pollution may be brought on by an air conditioner. This is due to the fact that this technology consumes a lot of energy and emits pollutants into the atmosphere. You may lessen your carbon footprint by running your air conditioner less frequently or by adjusting the temperature so that your system works less.
Turn the Heat Down
As mentioned above since air conditioners takes a lot of energy. Using electric fans during the summer may contribute to your energy efficient lifestyle. In addition, use cold water for your laundry. Cold water is superior for cleaning because of the enzymes in cold water detergent. Up to 500 pounds of carbon dioxide can be saved annually by doing two loads of laundry once a week in cold water as opposed to hot or warm water.
Avoid Red Meat
One may ask how your meal can reduce your carbon footprint. Significant studies has discovered that the manufacturing of meat globally causes twice as much pollution as the production of plant-based foods, accounting for nearly 60% of all greenhouse gases from meat production. Those who consume a lot of meat can aid in addressing the climate catastrophe by cutting back or stopping entirely. Even switching to another meat instead of beef would significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Avoid Flying
Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to book fewer flights. More than any other kind of transportation, aircraft has the fastest-growing emissions. Climate change is significantly exacerbated by aircraft emissions. When fossil fuels are used by airplanes, powerful warming non-CO2 effects such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), vapour trails, and cloud formation brought on by the height at which aircraft fly are also produced. By shifting your destination to one that can be reached by less climate-intensive methods, you can fly less by choosing a more environmentally friendly form of transportation, like the train.
Avoid Fast Fashion
Cheap, trendy things that rapidly fall out of style are thrown in landfills where they disintegrate and release methane. Purchase recycled or antique clothing from thrift shops instead.
Purchase Carbon Offsets
A carbon offset is the sum of money you spend on a project that lowers greenhouse gas emissions someplace else. One ton of greenhouse gases that would have been released into the atmosphere without the offset will be captured or destroyed. In addition, offsets encourage the use of renewable energy sources and sustainable development. Locate the nearest local climate action groups near your area and purchase carbon offsets.
Conclusion
Today’s increasing sea levels and the negative impacts of global warming make it imperative to reduce carbon footprint. By reducing our carbon footprint, we ensure that the globe will have cleaner air, water, and food for future generations.
Bria Homes is a real estate company that aims to provide access to Filipino affordable houses and lots. In line with this, Bria gives back to the world by educating local communities about climate change, home energy usage, and ultimately lowering it.
