Carbon offsetting

Reduce your carbon footprint

• Each individual has a certain carbon footprint. In 2014, according to The World Bank, an average person with high income produced 10.9 metric tons CO2 per year, an average person with middle income produced 3.9 metric tons CO2 per year, and an average person with low income produced 0.3 metric tons CO2 per year. There are vast differences in CO2 emissions in metric tons per capita between advanced economies and the least developed countries. In 2014 Qatar had a shocking average of 43.9 metric tons CO2 per capita, in North America that number was 16.4 metric tons CO2 per capita, and in Chad, it was only 0.1. We produce carbon footprint by using electricity, by using transportation, by purchasing foreign products, and by eating meat and dairy.

  Here is a list of simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

  For individuals:

  • Eat less meat and dairy. Reducing meat consumption is said to be the single most effective way to combat climate change. Agriculture takes a lot of resources and causes deforestation.
  • Eat locally-produced and organic food as food production and transportation produces a lot of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Switch to clean renewable energy, such as wind, wave, and solar power, tidal, biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, and appropriately designed nuclear energy.
  • Insulate your home and office to reduce heating and air conditioning.
  • Reduce your energy consumption by reducing your reliance on electronic devices (line-dry your clothes, run the dishwashers and washing machines when full, wash your car less often, reduce the number of washing machine loads, wash your dishes by hand, limit your baking to one day a week, get rid of plug-in air fresheners and other unnecessary appliances, etc).
  • Invest in energy efficient electronic devices and machines. Products bearing the ENERGY STAR label are recognized for having superior efficiency.
  • Switch off the lights and embrace natural light instead.
  • Switch to CFL and LED bulbs, as they are much more energy efficient than the regular incandescent light bulbs.
  • Unplug all electronic devices when not in use, as they keep consuming energy even if they are switched off.
  • Choose eco-friendly transportation (switch to cycling, carpooling or using public transportation).
  • Reduce your water consumption by purchasing water-efficient showerheads, faucet heads, toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines.
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle. According to research, 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions result from the “provision of goods” (extraction of resources, manufacturing, transport, packaging, etc). Reducing, reusing, and recycling would reduce your carbon footprint from the “provision of goods.”
  • Purchase eco-friendly products and services from eco-friendly and socially conscious vendors.
  • Plant a tree or two or 159.

  

  For travelers:

  Travelers should follow all of the above. In addition, they should also try to learn how to be responsible travelers.

  For hotels and other businesses:

  Just like every household, every business also has a certain impact on the environment. And without that extra effort, the impact is usually more or less negative. To reduce the negative impact on the environment and the additional costs it brings, you should check out the list of general and useful steps you can take to create a sustainable brand: