If you’re reading this, chances are you care for your environment and are looking for ways to help it! Today, the term “carbon footprint” is becoming more common.Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses produced by our actions. Why does that matter? Our carbon footprint affects the climate as a whole. Reducing our carbon footprint reduces the effects of climate change, which can lead to a positive change in our public health and environment by combating rising climate temperatures, rising sea levels, and rising adaptation pressure on animals. 

Here are 5 ways that you can reduce your carbon footprint: 

1. Drive less. Driving less reduces CO2 emissions. If you can, try carpooling with coworkers, biking, or using public transportation!
2. Eat local foods. The transportation of food increases CO2 emissions. Not only that, but fossil fuels are used to keep the food cold which also increases carbon emissions. 
3. Thrift shop. Almost all of the clothing industry’s CO2 emissions come from the production, preparation, and processing of fabrics and materials. Buying used clothing is a great way to decrease all of that, including the emissions from clothing transportation. 
4. Lower your food waste. Many Americans today have gotten into the habit of throwing out unwanted or rotten food. There are ways in which we can change that. Understand how much food you are really going to consume, limit buying more than you need, plan your meals ahead of time, and save leftovers for another meal. 
5. Go solar. After the third year of having solar panels, most panels become carbon neutral. That is about 20 times less than the carbon emission of coal-powered electric sources. As soon as you install solar panels, you will decrease your carbon footprint.