The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental organization Resilient Palisades to deliver a weekly “green tip” to readers.
Scientists have reported that last month was the hottest November on record. As daunting as this is, starting today—from our homes and during a pandemic—we can all take steps to lower our carbon footprint.
One easy way to do this, especially during the holiday season, is to modify our online shopping behaviors. Amazon has reported a carbon footprint increase of 15% since 2019, due to a combination of fuel emissions, electricity usage and manufacturing.
Avoid same-day deliveries: When possible, avoid “next-day or two-day delivery” to reduce the increased fuel required for express deliveries.
Combine shipments to minimize packaging: Choose the shipment option that combines your products into one shipment. Also, keep your shopping cart open for a couple of days to reduce multiple shipments.
Support online retailers who package responsibly: Shop for holiday gifts and more from small stores with commitments to lower-footprint packaging. Instead of big box stores, try locally owned stores like Prostainable and other environmentally conscious shops such as Central California’s popular General Store Paso Robles.
Repair in lieu of replace: Consider repairing your computer, tablet or phone. The tech industry produces 14% of our planet’s carbon footprint—predominantly from the mining of rare minerals used to create electronic devices and the CO2 manufacturing output.
Skipping just one generation of an upgrade greatly reduces your carbon footprint. Manufacturers deter repairs to sell new items, so look for authorized service centers in your area.
Buy bulk: Shop from online stores that offer low-footprint products, including refillable tile or floor cleaner concentrate and shampoo bars. Reduced packaging and water mean reduced fuel costs, in addition to other benefits.
If you have any sustainability questions, write us at connect@resilientpalisades.org.
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