Tags – Carbon Neutral Life as a Student

 

A carbon-neutral life essentially means you should release as much carbon as is taken in; the net release of carbon is at zero.

This concept can be guided and promoted at global and country levels.

But what can you do as a student to live a carbon-neutral life at an individual level?

By doing a few simple things, you can achieve this goal very easily. 

Try these tips:

1. Your Home

A lot of energy can be saved at home that can lead to achieving the carbon-neutral goal. 

For example, within your student apartment, try to keep the curtains closed at night; the heat won’t escape as easily. 

Secondly, if you set your heating on a timer, a lot of energy will be saved because heating will only turn on when needed.

If you live in student halls, things like heating may not be in your control. 

However, doing things together with your housemates, such as cooking meals or doing the laundry, will save the resources from being in use for hours.

2. Outdoor Activities

Video gaming is a famous pastime activity. 

But it drains a lot of battery and can be unhealthy to some extent.

Instead, you could take interest in outdoor activities, like playing football or going to the gym.

If the outdoors is not for you, you could try creative things like learning to sew old clothes or redesigning them. 

Not only are these kinds of activities good for your health, it is a great addition to the goal of carbon-neutral life.

3. Food and Plastic Waste

An easy tip you can use to reduce plastic waste is to use your own tupperware. 

For example, take your own bottle/flask for your pre-lecture coffee rather than buying a plastic cup.

Another simple but effective way to minimise food waste is to bulk buy your food.

Doing so will not only reduce the use of plastic; you won’t have to go out again and again to buy the basic necessities of life. 

Of course, there are foods that can’t be bought in bulk, but this technique can be applied to many foods.

Finally, make use of organic food and reduce the use of meat. 

Did you know meat contributes to greenhouse gas emissions more than any other food? Mainly because of the chain from growth to the supermarket floor.

4. Use Digital Notes

Note making is an essential part of student life, and quite often you will need something to write on.

However, do you know how many trees are cut down each day to produce paper? 

According to the Global Forest Resource Assessment, it is estimated that 80,000 to 160,000 trees are cut down daily.  

Shocking right?! 

To achieve a carbon-neutral environment, avoid the use of paper as much as possible.

Instead, take advantage of digital devices and tools.

For example, Office 365 tools are great for writing tasks. (And it’s free for students!)

Doing so will reduce the amount of paper used, save waste and in the long term, prevent a lot of trees being chopped down every day.

5. Travel

Driving is the biggest cause of global warming.

It was found by the Pacific Institute showed that driving a mile and a half will release 75% more greenhouse gasses than if you were to walk.

Where possible, walk to the lectures rather than taking the bus or your car.

 

Finishing Thoughts…

Even though it seems like a big thing to achieve a carbon-neutral environment, it is not as difficult as it seems. 

Of course, society is made of people.

And your contribution as a single student can push many others on the way to achieve a carbon-neutral environment. 

Things are not that hard if done in the right way.

 

To learn more, get in touch with us today.

In the meantime, check our Student Accommodation Leicester services.

 

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