Isramart : Small steps can reduce local carbon footprint

In going about our daily lives, each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. Driving a car, turning on the lights, purchasing any product and taking airplane flights all contribute to climate change. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. This means that the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere directly influences how much of the sun's heat stays in the atmosphere, which is a key factor in climate change.

One ton of carbon dioxide is released when you travel 5,000 miles in an airplane, drive 2,500 miles in a medium-size car or cut down and burn a tree that was about one foot in diameter and 40 feet tall.

Small changes in our everyday lives can make a difference. The following are some suggestions for reducing your carbon footprint:

• Walk or bike instead of driving a car. Cars and trucks run on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In the U.S., automobiles produce more than 20 percent of total carbon emissions. Walk or bike and you'll save one pound of carbon for every mile you travel.

• See the light. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. These energy-efficient bulbs help fight climate change because they reduce the amount of fossil fuels that utilities burn. You will save 100 pounds of carbon for each incandescent bulb that you replace with a compact fluorescent, over the life of the bulb.

• Recycle and use recycled products. Products made from recycled paper, glass, metal and plastic reduce carbon emissions because they use less energy to manufacture than products made from completely new materials. For instance, you'll save two pounds of carbon for every 20 glass bottles that you recycle. Recycling paper also saves trees and lets them continue to reduce climate change naturally as they remain in the forest, where they remove carbon from the atmosphere.

• Inflate your tires. If you own a car, it will get better gas mileage when the tires are fully inflated, so it will burn less gas and emit less carbon. Check your automobile monthly to ensure that the tires are fully inflated. Follow this tip and save 300 pounds of carbon dioxide for every 10,000 miles you drive.

• Turn down the heat. Heating and air conditioning draw more than half of the energy that a home uses in the U.S. Turn down the heat or air conditioning when you leave the house or go to bed. You can easily install a programmable thermostat that can save up money and carbon.

• Act globally, eat locally. If you shop at a supermarket, the food you buy may travel in a plane from the other side of the world, burning fossil fuels the entire trip. Shop at local farmers markets and you will find fresh and healthy food, and help save our climate.