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A

Have one fewer child

This has been a very contested recommendation for a number of reasons (check sources for different points of view), but it's also the one with the highest potential CO2 savings.

70700kg CO2 saved
B

Live car free

Use public transportation, bike, walk. If living car free is impossible for you, consider using a more efficient car, carpooling, working from home or other ways to avoid the car.

3150kg CO2 saved
B

Avoid one flight

A transatlantic flight is the equivalent to the average yearly emissions of one person in India. Yep.

1750kg CO2 saved
B

Turn off your appliances when not in use

Some studies say that appliances in standby consume about 10% of total electricity. If your plugs don't have switches, consider using a power strip or a timer plug.

1710kg CO2 saved
B

Replace single with double-glazed windows

This isn't a cheap option, but it has a huge effect on your home's efficiency (and comfort). Can't install double-glazing? Thick curtains or removable insulating window panels.

1350kg CO2 saved
B

Purchase green energy

This is one of the easiest changes to make. Most energy providers nowadays provide a green energy plan, often the same price as energy that uses fossil fuel.

1300kg CO2 saved
B

Drive a more efficient car

A more efficient car will still generate a significant amount of emissions, but much, much less than a conventional car.

1190kg CO2 saved
C

Eat a plant-based diet

Check the sources for ingredients and recipes that will lower your impact. Wheat, corn, beans, chickpeas, lentils, rice, soy, nuts are great sources of protein.

950kg CO2 saved
C

Insulate your water heater

Hug your water heater, the planet thanks you (don't actually hug it, search for Water Heater Insulation Blanket).

450kg CO2 saved
C

Reduce food waste

Shop wisely and don't waste food, reducing the amount of food you buy in the first place.

370kg CO2 saved
C

Seal gaps around windows and doors

Draught can be a big source of heat loss. You can save energy by sealing gaps around windows, or installing draught-proofing beneath doors

323kg CO2 saved
C

Turn your thermostat down 1º in the winter

Throw on a sweater and wooly socks instead of turning up the heat in winter.

300kg CO2 saved
C

Wash clothes in cold water

It's common to wash white clothes in warm water. Cold water does just as well and reduces your footprint.

300kg CO2 saved
C

Buy energy efficient products

When buying products, especially appliances, always look for efficiency certifications, such as Energy Star. Products such as wood has FSC or PEFC labels.

249kg CO2 saved
C

Keep your tires properly inflated

Check the guidelines in your car to know what that value is. This makes a HUGE difference.

249kg CO2 saved
C

Eat less meat

Not as good as a plant-based diet, but reducing your meat intake has an impact, especially the highest offending meats (beef, lamb, goat).

230kg CO2 saved
C

Carpool

And split the emissions difference between a bunch of people.

220kg CO2 saved
C

Recycle

You can recycle a lot more than you'd think, like your car battery, old tyres, and much more. Search before you dispose.

210kg CO2 saved
C

Eat local and seasonal

That out-of-season fruit on the supermarket? It was probably flown in from another country. Eat locally grown food as much as you can.

180kg CO2 saved
C

Improve your home's cooling/heating efficiency

Proper insulation, like cavity wall insulation, draught-free windows and doors, and more are highly effective at keeping either cool or warm air in your home.

180kg CO2 saved
C

Buy recycled paper

Not only does it produce less CO2 to manufacture, but you avoid the whole bit of chopping down, transporting and processing trees.

130kg CO2 saved
C

Install solar panels

Although a hefty upfront investment, solar panels not only reduce your carbon emissions as save you money on the long-term.

119.5kg CO2 saved
C

Hang dry clothes

When possible, avoid a tumble dryer and dry your clothes on a line.

100kg CO2 saved
D

Recycle your paper

Most paper is recyclable (with some exceptions, such as paper that has touched food, such as takeout containers).

83kg CO2 saved
D

Recycle aluminum and steel cans

Your can, can be a car tomorrow (well, maybe not tomorrow).

75kg CO2 saved
D

Use efficient light bulbs

LED lights are the most efficient of the bunch. The average house in the UK has 33 light bulbs. That's a lot of saving.

52kg CO2 saved
D

Swap, sell or donate

Swap, sell or donate clothes, furniture and household items you no longer need. The carbon emissions figure is based on not buying any new clothes for a year.

51kg CO2 saved
D

Plant a tree

As reported in July 2019, a trillion trees can make a serious dent in climate change. Can't plant a tree yourself? Donate to a charity that does it for you, check our sources.

33kg CO2 saved
D

Compost organic waste

Organic waste ferments and emits methane when left in a landfill without air. You can compost your organic waste, like fruit, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds and more. Check the sources for guides.

23kg CO2 saved
E

Think before you print

According to a survey findings in Europe, an average office worker uses 10,000 printed pages per year. Nearly one fifth are printed needlessly. The CO2 created from these unnecessary pages weighs almost 16 lbs.

7kg CO2 saved
E

Reuse as much as you can

Although it has a smaller impact most people think, this attitude actually goes a long way. Use your own reusable bags, purchase a reusable water bottle, etc.

5kg CO2 saved
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Close your curtains or shutters on hot days

Avoid turning on that AC as much as possible.

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Drive better

Studies have shown up to 30% of the difference in miles per gallon (MPG) is due to driving habits alone.

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Search for ecotourism

When on vacation, find for certified ecotourism locations. There are a number of ecolabels operating in different regions, check the source for a list.

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Influence employer’s actions

All companies generate emissions in one way or another, and a big percentage of emissions is created by companies. If you think there are savings to make, big or small, become an ambassador within your company.

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Purchase carbon offsets

Don't use carbon offsets as a cop out, use it in conjunction with changes to your life. The average price of a carbon offset is about $3.30 per tonne of CO2.

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Reduce consumption

Do you really need that new phone? Or that new 55 inch TV? Or changing car every two years? Think twice before upgrading. Care for your things and use them until they absolutely stop working.

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Set your boiler at a maximum temperature of 60°C

This makes it run efficiently and hygienically.

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Spread awareness

Become an ambassador for your friends, family and community. How? Share this (and other) website(s) with them!

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Use environment-friendly refrigeration

Appliances such as refrigerators and air conditoners use gases that are extremely harmful. Look for CFC and HFC free appliances.

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Use products made of sustainable materials

Menstrual cups instead of tampons or pads, bamboo toothbrush and cotton buds instead of plastic, reusable instead of razors, sustainable beauty products, reusable diapers, and the list goes on and on. Nowadays, most ordinary products have sustainable alternatives, just think before you buy.

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Use rechargeable batteries

More expensive up-front, but cheaper in the long-run and more environmentally friendly.

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Stop overconsuming

Do you really need to drink 3 cold brews per day, all served in a single-use plastic cup? Or that shirt you bought on a whim online on a fast-fashion retailer? All of this contributes to the overexploitation of natural resources, emissions from international freight transport and more.