Knowing the carbon footprint of a product is a very important step that must be taken towards responsible consumption on our part. The relationship between the production of greenhouse gases and global warming is a scientifically proven certainty that we must all take into account.
Knowing this, nations, aware of their role in environmental change, have made environmental pacts such as the Paris Agreement. From this has emerged the concept of carbon neutrality.Do you find it complicated? Don’t worry: below we will explain everything you need to know regarding your responsibilities as a consumer with the environment.
What is responsible consumption?
All facets in which the human being develops are related to the environment. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we are emitting greenhouse gases. That is why it is essential to generate palliatives that contribute to reducing the amount of gases we emit daily.
That is where the concept of responsible consumption comes in. This basically refers to consuming products and services that are committed to reducing their emission of gases harmful to the environment. And this responsible consumption is not only a task of companies: it is also a task of each individual in the exercise of their daily lives.
Based on responsible consumption, for example, many companies in the oil & gas sector have rethought their corporate models. This in order to accommodate new products and production methods, which help reduce harmful emissions. Well: in the same way, you as an individual have a very important role in responsible consumption. Your main task is to pay attention to the food you eat, the products you use, the means of transport you use and the sources of energy you use on a daily basis.
When you understand the impact of each of these aspects on nature, you can generate strategies to consume less harmful products. To understand it better, we recommend you get used to measuring the carbon footprint of the products you use daily.
How can you start leading a life of responsible consumption?
With tools like C-Neutral’s food carbon footprint calculator you can measure your impact on the environment. This application will help you know what are the elements that you use daily with which you aggravate the environmental problem. With this knowledge, you just have to replace as much as possible those products or daily practices with others that generate less negative impact. Easy, right?
Little by little you can advance in your work of leading a life of neutrality in your carbon emissions. You will achieve an ostensible reduction in your energy consumption, and a reduction in polluting waste as a result of your actions. And all this in addition to the reduction of the consumption of food produced with bad environmental practices; for this you can determine the carbon footprint of a product with the C-Neutral calculator and compare it with its competition.
There is much that can be done from home and from companies to get closer to carbon neutrality. A good way to start is to use renewable and clean energy. To do this, you can research companies in your city or region that are committed to good practices in energy production. Then you can hire your services with them.
It privileges organizations that have green hydrogen production processes, clean and renewable energies, and initiatives to reduce single-use plastics. It also checks that they carry out projects to reduce the footprint in the surrounding water sources, and that they take into account the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations in terms of sustainability.
As responsible consumers, we must favor companies that implement wind, solar thermal and biofuel-based energy projects. It is also important that we consume food whose production prioritizes good agro-industrial practices.
Awareness as the basis of responsible consumption
The changes that our planet requires can only be carried out by conscious and engaged consumers. It is very important to take into account the social component of this type of initiative.It is not enough to change your daily practices: the socialization of these initiatives is fundamental.
It’s worth asking yourself “what am I doing to improve my relationship with my ecological environment?” or “How do I help my community become aware of each other’s role in leaving a better world for our children?” This type of question is what we mean by consumption awareness. If you answer these questions honestly, you will realize that you have a lot to improve.
But it’s never too late to start doing things right!The important thing is that when you become aware of the carbon footprint of each product you buy, you can make the transition organically towards responsible consumption.
