How Can We Become Carbon Neutral?

Ok, so coronavirus is a huge global problem at the moment, but there are still other issues in the world that need our attention.

Climate change is one of the biggest talked about problems throughout the world and with the University of Sheffield pledging to reach zero carbon emissions on its campus by 2030, there are some things you might be able to do to help.

Start by thinking about your own carbon footprint, then have a think about whether there is anything you can do to reduce it simply by making some small changes to your everyday life.

We all need food to survive, that is a given, but the food you choose from the supermarket can contribute towards your carbon footprint.

If you are a meat eater, then you may not know but meat contributes quite heavily to the greenhouse gas emissions because of the chain from growth to getting to your local supermarket.  You can reduce your part of this by choosing organic products or products that are locally grown or farmed.  Bulk buying products will also reduce your footprint as you will have to travel less, plus it may bring down the cost.  You can take your own bags and containers to take items home in, reducing the amount of packaging you have.

Plan your meals in advance and you will reduce your food wastage by only buying what you need. This will help your purse strings as well as the environment.

Most of your time will be spent in your student accommodation and there are plenty of ways to reduce your footprint here.  Having a cosy home is something we all want, but make sure your heating is on a timer and thermostatically controlled so it only actually comes on when needed, reducing wasted energy.  You should also close your curtains at night as this will stop the heat from escaping.

If you live in shared student accommodation, have a cooking rota, and assign certain times for people to cook. This will eliminate having the oven and hob on for hours at a time while everyone cooks their own meals.  Cooking for your housemates will also mean you get to know them a little better.

To pass time, pick up some environmentally friendly hobbies. Take up walking, reading, take up sewing or try some arts and crafts.  If you are into gaming, make sure you turn your console off at the wall to reduce electricity usage.

Obviously getting to lectures (if you can at the moment) is important, but how you get there is going to add to your footprint too.  Instead of driving or taking a bus, try walking.  If you need a drink for lectures, take your own reusable cup or bottle, reducing your plastic waste.

Becoming carbon neutral may seem like a daunting thing to achieve. However, if you, as a single student, make small but doable changes it will be a small help towards the main goal. And if every student does it, then it would be a massive help.  It is not a difficult thing to do, it just requires a little more thought about your daily choices and in many cases, it will actually save you money.

We hope you have enjoyed this blog, ‘How can we become Carbon Neutral?’ and if you need any help or assistance securing your student accommodation in Sheffield please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.