It’s easy to feel discouraged when reading news about climate change, but discouragement doesn’t have to turn to inaction. In fact, people all over the world are embracing the idea of making a positive difference, and grassroots support for responsible consumption continues to rise. Many of us are working to lower emissions, create a cleaner environment, and leave a strong and healthy planet for future generations.
Thinking “net positive”
According to Climate One, a leadership dialogue on energy, the economy, and the environment, a carbon footprint is the combination of the negative impacts one’s action has on the environment, but a carbon handprint is all of the positive things done to reduce that footprint. It’s a net positive action that comes from work you do to make beneficial environmental and social impacts. The goal is to grow your handprint larger than your footprint.
Grow that handprint
According to Handprinter, a nonprofit that helps people track the environmental good they do, there are a number of ways you can grow your handprint. Here are just a few:
- Work from home one day a week
- Enjoy veggies and plant-based proteins on Meatless Monday
- Bike to work instead of driving
- Participate in local, regional, and national policy discussions about reducing carbon footprints
Solar makes sense
Another terrific way to grow the size of your handprint is to make the switch to solar energy, which is an effective, sensible alternative to replace fossil fuels. It’s clean, renewable, and easy to install. Contact your local solar installer for a free quote and to learn more about which type of solar installation is right for you.
Download our eBook, Reducing Your Carbon Footprint with Solar, to learn how solar panels are one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
