The effects of global warming are more apparent now than ever. Global temperatures have been spiking. In fact, according to NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies, the last five years were the warmest years in the modern record.
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that without significant course corrections, we might face worsening risks of drought, floods, and other natural disasters that may directly impact millions of people around the world. The timeline to ensure that we do not face this dire possibility is impossibly short—11 years according to the IPCC.
Though addressing the threat of climate change will need coordination and unprecedented multilateral action from various developed and developing countries, our contributions as individuals can help stem a worsening climate problem.
Here are some tips to help live a carbon-neutral lifestyle:
1. Be smarter with your commute!
Carbon emissions from vehicles are large contributors to our overall carbon footprint. If you live close to your workplace, biking or walking to the office might be a great idea. For those who might need to get on a ride to reach the office, carpooling or taking public transportation might be the best way to go!
2. Be more efficient in using electricity!
Being mindful about how you use electricity can help minimize your personal carbon footprint. Choosing to set your air conditioning unit to 25°C for example helps a lot in decreasing your energy consumption. Some other sensible steps you can take is ensuring you unplug devices after you are done using them and investing in appliances that have been certified to be energy-efficient.
3. Choose eco-friendly packaging!
Plastic is not just a problem in terms of the amount of waste we create. Producing it also entails tons of carbon released into our atmosphere. So, when doing your groceries, choosing to bring your own reusable containers and bags can do a lot in managing the waste you create and your carbon footprint.
4. Be more conscious about the food you eat!
Choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables can help reduce your carbon footprint. Meat and dairy production is responsible for 14.5 percent of manmade global greenhouse gas emissions. This means that by being more mindful about what you put inside your body, you can also directly help in improving our environment!
5. Use construction materials that are proven to be eco-friendly
When it comes to choosing construction materials, only one is proven to be the healthiest for our environment and that is wood. Wood, being a natural material, needs little resources for it to be harvested and utilized. It is also proven to be renewable and sustainable. And among all of the existing construction materials, only wood is able to store and retain carbon dioxide throughout its life cycle unless it is burned or allowed to decompose. So when thinking about what product to use in your home or business, wood should always be at the top of your mind!
If you want to explore and discover more interesting facts about wood as a material, the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) is holding the Philippine Wood Expo 2019 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza this October 21 to 22. The event promises to be a great opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers of wood products as well as wood enthusiasts to showcase their products and innovative technologies to attendees coming from various countries. The Philippine Wood Expo 2019 aims to expand the reach of businesses in the wood sector by providing them with the opportunity to interface with other industry players.
To learn more about PWPA or to know how you can take part in the Philippine Wood Expo 2019, visit their website at http://www.pwpa.org.ph and join their fight for a better tomorrow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pwpa.philwood.
