Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are generated by our actions. For example, the average carbon footprint for a person globally, is close to 4 tons. In order to avoid a 2°C rise in global temperatures, the average global carbon footprint per year needs to drop under 2 tons by 2050. By making small changes to our actions we could be reducing our carbon footprint and, in this report, I would like to provide examples of how each individual could help that.

To begin with transportation, we could drive less. Walking, taking public transport, riding a bike reduces CO₂ emissions. If we must drive, then we need to take care of the car, because fuel efficiency could be increased by just inflated tires. When buying cars, we must consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle.

As for food, we could eat low on the food chain. This means eating mostly fruits, veggies, grains, and beans. Livestock (meat and dairy) is responsible for around 14.5% of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions. One reason for this high level of emissions is that cows and sheep produce large quantities of methane as a byproduct of the ruminant digestive process, relying on specialized bacteria that can break down grass. As a greenhouse gas, methane is up to 34 times more potent than CO₂.

Forests and other habitats are destructed in order to make way for pasture and for growing of food to be eaten by the animals. This also contributes to climate change. In pursuit of profits, ranchers have destroyed hundreds of thousand of square miles of rainforest around the world, which were vital, because they captured millions of tons of CO₂.

Other than avoid eating meat, we could choose to eat organic and local season foods, because the transportation of these products from far away, uses fossil fuels.

We could also avoid food waste by planning meals ahead of time, freezing the excess and reusing leftovers. Also, by shopping only for necessary stuff could avoid having the waste.

As for shopping and clothes, we could not throw away our clothes, because the clothes end up in landfills where they produce methane as they decompose. Instead of throwing away our clothes we could sell them or donate. Washing the clothes in cold water could help a little as well, because doing two loads of laundry weekly in cold water instead of hot or warm water can save up to 500 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.