By now, we are no strangers to global warming. Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and erratic weather patterns are all too common these days. And the ever-increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is one of the primary reasons for these extreme changes in earth’s environment.

Although it’s true that not all of us can put on an apron or become an activist and start searching for answers to these problems, but there’s something that we can do. We can significantly reduce our carbon footprint by making small changes to our lifestyle.

What is your carbon footprint?

Through basic activities such as driving, switching on a light bulb or even consuming certain materials, we all produce some amount of carbon dioxide on a daily basis. It’s known as our carbon footprint. This number varies a lot from person to person depending upon our material consumption patterns. And it’s completely in our power to minimize our carbon footprint, and play a part in creating a sustainable future.

Here are 4 ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Eat locally produced food

In many areas, as much as 10% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation of food. By consuming locally produced and in season food, you can minimize the distance your food travels from farm to your fork and reduce emission due to transportation.

2. Grow your own veggies

Not only will it reduce your carbon footprint by absorbing CO2, but you’ll also get access to fresh greens whenever you want. Whether you live in a house or an apartment, it’s very easy to plant some fruits and veggies in pots. You can also have a beautiful balcony garden filled with blooming flowers.

3. Eat less meat and dairy

Meat production and processing emit considerably more amount of greenhouse gases than any other food product. You don’t need to go completely vegan. Simply by limiting the amount of meat and dairy you consume, you can make a huge difference.

4. Go organic

Avoid processed food as much as possible and if you can completely switch to organic, that would be the best. Fertilizers used in organic farming do not contain fossil fuel components like their non-organic counterparts, thus emitting fewer greenhouse gases.

If you are really committed to making a difference, food choices are just a start. From taking a public commute to switching off the lights when not in use, there are tons of things that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Like we said, there’s no need to put on an apron. The change begins with us.

Explore 200+ tasty and nutritious ways in which 24 Mantra can help you lead a healthier lifestyle. Choose organic, choose healthy!