Carbon Footprint and How it Affects us
Carbon Footprint and the Environment
Our increasing carbon footprint is having profound effects on the environment. Rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns are changing the growing patterns of plants and result in indigenous vegetation moving to increasingly cooler climates. Sea levels are rising as the temperature of our planet increases. Rising seas will not only erode shorelines and destroy ecosystems, coastal cities and towns could be displaced by rising seas.
Carbon Footprint and Wildlife
Increasing temperatures and changing weather patterns are causing vegetation to alter, and wildlife that depends on it is becoming threatened because it is unable to keep up with the rate at which the climate is shifting. Migratory birds, for instance, arrive at their destination to find that plants bloomed too early and thus a food source they depended on is no longer available. Melting Arctic ice destroys hunting ground for polar bears. According to the Nature Conservancy, one quarter of the Earth's species will be headed for extinction in 40 years if climate change increases at its current rate.
Carbon Footprint and Human Health
Our increased carbon footprint has the capacity to harm our health. Most at risk are children and women in agricultural work. According to the World Health Organisation, climate change is projected to increase the percentage of people suffering from hunger globally from 34 percent to at least 64 percent 40 years from now. An increase in malnutrition is caused by the result of climate change on food crops, such as drought that interferes with the growing season. Drought also causes diarrheal diseases as access to safe water is compromised. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria are rising because the temperature increase allows malarious mosquitoes to survive in countries previously too cool for them. Lastly, worsening air pollution has caused an increase in respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies.
Carbon Footprint and Economic Losses
The threat posed by our increasing carbon footprint on the economy is significant. Climate change will greatly affect local economies dependent on land and natural resources, such as farms that fall victim to lowered crop yields. According to the Nature Conservancy, economic losses due to our increasing carbon footprint and the resulting climate change has threatened the lobster industry in New England as catches have plummeted. In addition, the increase in ocean temperatures is threatening the survival of coral reefs, a $375 billion per year industry.
Our increasing carbon footprint is having profound effects on the environment. Rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns are changing the growing patterns of plants and result in indigenous vegetation moving to increasingly cooler climates. Sea levels are rising as the temperature of our planet increases. Rising seas will not only erode shorelines and destroy ecosystems, coastal cities and towns could be displaced by rising seas.
Carbon Footprint and Wildlife
Increasing temperatures and changing weather patterns are causing vegetation to alter, and wildlife that depends on it is becoming threatened because it is unable to keep up with the rate at which the climate is shifting. Migratory birds, for instance, arrive at their destination to find that plants bloomed too early and thus a food source they depended on is no longer available. Melting Arctic ice destroys hunting ground for polar bears. According to the Nature Conservancy, one quarter of the Earth's species will be headed for extinction in 40 years if climate change increases at its current rate.
Carbon Footprint and Human Health
Our increased carbon footprint has the capacity to harm our health. Most at risk are children and women in agricultural work. According to the World Health Organisation, climate change is projected to increase the percentage of people suffering from hunger globally from 34 percent to at least 64 percent 40 years from now. An increase in malnutrition is caused by the result of climate change on food crops, such as drought that interferes with the growing season. Drought also causes diarrheal diseases as access to safe water is compromised. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria are rising because the temperature increase allows malarious mosquitoes to survive in countries previously too cool for them. Lastly, worsening air pollution has caused an increase in respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies.
Carbon Footprint and Economic Losses
The threat posed by our increasing carbon footprint on the economy is significant. Climate change will greatly affect local economies dependent on land and natural resources, such as farms that fall victim to lowered crop yields. According to the Nature Conservancy, economic losses due to our increasing carbon footprint and the resulting climate change has threatened the lobster industry in New England as catches have plummeted. In addition, the increase in ocean temperatures is threatening the survival of coral reefs, a $375 billion per year industry.
Simple Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Today
- Switch it off - Turn off the lights when natural light is sufficient and when you leave the room. It's that simple!
- Take the stairs - Use the stairs as often as possible. Elevators consume electricity. You, on the other hand, do not.
- Loaded laundry - Only do full loads of laundry and use the bright colors cycle whenever possible.
- Shorter showers - Try to take shorter showers. The less hot water you use, the less energy is needed to heat the water.
- Conserve paper - Print and copy on two sides, save single-sided pages for notes, and print only what you need.
- Recyle - Take a few steps to a recycling centre in your building to deposit aluminum cans, plastics, glass, office paper, newspaper, cardboard.
- Eat less meat – Cows and sheep emit large quantities of methane, a powerful global warming gas. A vegan diet might make as much as a 20% difference to your overall carbon impact but simply cutting out beef will deliver a significant benefit on its own.
- Green your commute – The benefits of carpooling are quite simple to see. One car uses less gas than two and much less than three. Similarly, riding the bus or train to work helps to slash down the number of cars on the road.
- Unplug your phone charger - When you’re not using it that is. Appliances consume a significant amount of electricity even when they are switched off.
- Plant an organic garden - Not only does growing your own food make you a more conscientious global citizen, it brings you a sense of satisfaction and if done right, monetary savings.
- Drive a hybrid - Although they run a little pricier, over the lifetime of the vehicle you will find yourself more than covering the difference in gasoline savings.
- #up2degrees - Nearly 80% of households and 100% of offices, schools and shopping malls in Singapore have air conditioners - and these are heating up the atmosphere, ultimately melting the continent that is supposed to keep us cool. Turn the set temperature of your aircons #up2degrees so the planet won't have to do it.
HER Planet Earth is a global women’s advocacy movement that promotes a deeper connection
between female empowerment and the integrity of the environment.
between female empowerment and the integrity of the environment.