What i ndividuals can do to reduce greenhouse emissions

1. What individuals can do to reduce greenhouse emissions By Harshil and Sam

2. Making homes more efficient • In the USA, over half of a households energy bill is caused by heating. This can be reduced by: • Weather-stripping - Adding an extra layer of plastic/metal around doors/windows to prevent drafts – keep the home more insulated. • Caulking – Sealing gaps around doors/windows to prevent heat from escaping the house. • Double glazed windows.

3. Making homes more efficient • Replacing old boilers with efficient ones. • Programmable Thermostats – Control room temperatures – heaters automatically turn off when not needed. This can lower your energy use by 10-20%.

4. Energy efficient home

5. Making travelling more efficient • For shorter journeys – walk/cycle – zero emissions! • For longer journeys – use public transport. This produces 6 times lower emissions than using a car. • Carpooling just once a week lowers emissions by 20%. • And if you have to use a car…

6. Make driving more efficient • Maintain a steady speed – avoid changing speeds. Accelerate slowly. • Anticipate stops and starts – ease breaking. • Driving more efficiently will reduce the fuel brunt by 15%. • Make your next car a low emission car.

7. Waste less food • In the USA, 25% of all food is wasted – left to produce methane in landfill sites. • Compost food waste in the back garden instead of sending it to landfill. • Buy more local produce – avoid transporting foods long distances – lower emissions. • Eat less red meat – livestock farming releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It is the largest food contributor of greenhouse gases with 30%.