People have finally started to realize that the Earth has a limited amount of resources. The United States seems to be slower to catch on to this than other countries, but finally we seem to be trying to take action and improve the situation. Living green is all the rage these days. As an individual though, how can you reduce your carbon footprint?

First let's talk about what a carbon footprint is. A person's carbon footprint is a way to measure how that person's actions and activities directly impact the environment and climate change. Did you realize that everything you do has an impact on the Earth and the environment? Did you also realize that many frugal activities actually reduce your carbon footprint? They also save you money, so really it is a win-win situation for everyone.

Finding the things you need second hand or using what you have and not buying new means that less energy is used manufacturing things, fewer resources are used in the making of those things and fewer items are headed to our landfills. Hanging your laundry and not using your dryer saves lots of energy each month, which is always good for the environment. The same goes for either lowering your thermostat in the winter or raising it in the summer. By doing that you reduce the amount of oil or gas you use, which directly impacts how quickly we deplete those resources.

Adding insulation to your attic or walls and sealing air leaks will also reduce the amount of energy, oil or gas needed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Switching your light bulbs to fluorescent is another way to reduce your energy usage, which will save you money each month.

Combining your errands results in fewer trips out, which means less gas used as well as less pollution. Walking, riding your bike, or carpooling to the places you need to go will result in the same benefits. By purchasing energy efficient appliances when they need to be replaced you are making a choice that will help the environment for a long time

The day to day things that you participate in produce greenhouse gases. There are two ways to produce greenhouse gases - directly (driving your car, mowing your lawn, etc) or indirectly (buying clothing, consuming goods, etc). By making the right choices you can lessen your impact on the environment. By being aware of how your actions impact the Earth, you might easily be able to make some changes for the better. These changes certainly can't hurt the environment. If you want to find out what your carbon footprint is, check here.