Dan Stammen Shares Some Simple Ways to Reduce Our Footprint

Around the world, people are becoming more conscious of their personal impact on the environment. Global warming and climate change have caused severe and irreversible impacts on the Earth. Plastics in our oceans damage wildlife. Higher ocean temperatures can cause an ecological collapse in environments such as the coral reef. It may seem that individuals have no ability to change the environment for the better, but there are many ways that Waco residents can make small changes to positively impact the Earth.

An ecological footprint is the measure of a single person’s use of natural resources against the ecological capacity of the Earth to replace these resources. People are able to reduce their ecological footprint by making small but measurable changes to their lifestyle. Encouraging the people around them to do the same makes communities which band together with the environment in mind. Environmentally conscious entrepreneur Dan Stammen shares the following 3 ways that anyone can make a difference by reducing their ecological footprint.

1. Change Your Transportation

As much as you can, avoid driving in a car. Take the bus, bicycle, or walk wherever you can. People who do not drive cars can reduce their ecological footprint by up to 20 percent.

If you need a car, make sure that it is the smallest vehicle which is useful to you. Cars with smaller engines are generally more efficient than larger ones. Consider buying an electric vehicle or a gas/electric hybrid. These cars are more energy efficient and often end up being more cost effective as a result.

Maintaining your car properly will also help it to operate with more efficiency. Check the air filter monthly. Make sure the tires are properly inflated. Do not idle your car for more than 30 seconds unless you are sitting in traffic. Some cars are equipped to auto-stop the engine if the car is idle for more than 30 seconds.

When you are planning a longer trip, consider taking a bus or train rather than flying. Commercial flights cause two to four times as much impact through carbon dioxide emissions because they emit pollution at a high altitude.

2. Optimize Your Home

There are many small, simple changes that we can make in our homes to reduce our ecological footprint. One of the simplest is by using energy-friendly lighting. Making sure that the home is properly insulated will mean that the home has less impact on the local environment by increasing its energy efficiency.

When choosing toilets and faucets, opt for low-flow models. These will save on your water bill and reduce your environmental impact.

Rather than buying new furniture for your home, buy secondhand, sustainably produced, and recycled products. Shopping secondhand has a great effect on a person’s ecological footprint because the energy and raw materials, as well as the carbon footprint, of these items can be used again. These secondhand stores are also often run by local Waco families who can benefit a great deal from the business.

Turn your air conditioning up in the summer and turn the heat down in the winter. It is understandable that people in Waco need air conditioning, but every degree you turn down your air conditioning can save you as much as 1 percent per year on your energy bills. Keeping your temperatures 8 to 10 degrees cooler during the winter or warmer during the summer, for 8 hours per day, is associated with a 10 percent energy savings.

If possible, install ecologically friendly energy solutions like solar energy and geothermal heating. Even if you cannot make such a large and expensive change, you can make a difference using these other methods.

3. Reduce Waste

As much as possible, recycle everything you can. In many municipalities throughout Texas, recycling programs save materials from going into landfills. Reusing materials is another good way to reduce your ecological footprint. Do not buy low-quality items that will only wear out quickly and need to be replaced.

Do not buy individually bottled water. Water bottles are one of the most common pieces of trash in the environment. If you do buy bottled water, consider getting an at-home water cooler so that the container is fully reusable and recyclable.

Avoid using plastic straws, as these have a direct impact on the oceans, says Dan Stammen. Avoid releasing balloons, since these are frequently eaten by sea life, resulting in their deaths.

Reducing Your Ecological Footprint

Texas' environmentally conscious entreprenuers like Dan Stammen believe that any family in Waco can make a positive impact on the Earth. Taking these small, measurable steps will mean that you are helping to preserve our fragile environment. By reducing, reusing, and recycling materials, you will cut the amount of trash your family generates. Turning your thermostats up in the summer and down in the winter will make a significant impact on your heating bill and on the amount of fossil fuels that your family uses.

Spread your environmental message to your friends and family, and encourage them to make positive changes of their own.