Carbon Footprint

In these days when climate change and environmental pollution have become the most talked about and discussed topics in the world, we will talk about a dangerous gas that lies at the root of all these disasters.
CO2 is also known as carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide, which has many functions in nature and often helps to maintain the natural balance, has not only exceeded the level that should be found in nature but has reached dangerous levels due to increased industrial activities, unconscious use, uncontrolled urbanization, and the destruction of forests.

Climate change is at the forefront of the problems caused by increased CO2 emissions.
These gases, especially carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide gases, are the biggest actors of global warming and the greenhouse effect that lie at the root of climate change.

WHAT IS THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT?

Our world is heated by the rays reflected from it and there are the main gases that provide this reflection. Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are also among these gases.
However, the amount of carbon dioxide increasing at an uncontrolled level causes the greenhouse effect and causes many disasters, especially the melting of the glaciers and the deterioration of the ecosystem balance.

GLOBAL WARMING MAJOR RESPONSIBLE: CARBON FOOTPRINT

The carbon footprint, which we can also call the contribution of people to the production of greenhouse gases, is expressed as the total amount of gas that occurs as a result of activities in our daily lives and causes the greenhouse effect.
In other words, we may not recognize the carbon footprint as a measure of the damage we do to nature. The reasons for the carbon footprint, which are gathered under two main headings as primary footprint and secondary footprint, show some differences under the headings.
While the primary footprint expresses the carbon emission directly caused by the fossil fuels that occur during transportation with the energy consumed in homes, workplaces, and streets, the secondary footprint refers to the indirect carbon emissions arising from the processes in the process from the production of the products we use to their deterioration.
At this point, we can say that our choices in daily life determine our individual carbon footprint and that we must first make changes in our own lives in order to build a healthy future. Let's take a look at these changes together.

REDUCING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT IN 4 STEPS

Based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization, there are 4 basic steps to reduce our carbon footprint:

1. Transportation
With the increasing population, the number of motor vehicles, which is one of the most important sources of global warming, is increasing day by day. The fossil fuels produced by these vehicles used during transportation activities constitute approximately 20% of greenhouse gases. Considering all these, choosing public vehicles or bicycles instead of our vehicles for short distances is one of the main solutions. At the same time, do not neglect to walk a lot for both your health and our world.

2. Energy
Carbon emissions resulting from energies such as electricity, heating, and cooling that we use in our homes also cause the greenhouse effect. Keeping electrical appliances off unless necessary, choosing energy-saving light bulbs, reducing the use of unnecessary technological gadgets, and using renewable energy sources such as solar panels are simple but effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint.

3. Food
According to a study by Oxford University, 50% of the meat is consumed; If products such as refined oil, sugar, and alcohol are reduced by 20%, the productivity of agricultural lands will increase by 43%. Based on this research, reducing the use of refined products, especially meat consumption, will lead to a serious reduction in our carbon footprint. In addition, you can choose local products to prevent the energy released during the transportation of food and contribute to recycling by composting organic waste.

4. Sustainable Living and Recycling
In the world, tens of tons of waste are unconsciously released into nature every day, and the destruction caused by this waste is increasing day by day. Raising awareness about recycling is an important step that can be taken in this regard. Recycling organic wastes to the soil, using our belongings for as long as possible, reusing expired materials in other forms, and staying away from disposable products as much as possible are the main ways to reduce our carbon footprint. At the same time, it is an important step to choose unpackaged products when purchasing products to reduce waste.
Increasing green spaces and keeping the streets, avenues, and beaches we live in clean are also essential for reducing our carbon footprint.
This world, forests, seas, and thousands of creatures living in it are entrusted to us. Join us on the roads leading to a beautiful future together.


Authored by: İlayda Gülşen