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Climate friendly lifestyle from the My Ecotrack project

  1. CLIMATE FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE My Eco Track Project Nr. 2021-1-IS01- KA220-YOU-000028985
  2. OPTIMIZE YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION (1) THIS WILL ALSO REDUCE YOUR BILL Action points, ideas:  Reduce the average temperature difference between inside and outside. Instead of staying in your T-shirt in winter at home, turn the thermostat down a little and wear a sweatshirt. Action points, ideas:  The same goes for using the air conditioner in summer. Experts write that for it to operate in its optimum energy saving mode, the difference between outside and inside temperature of the air should usually be between 7 and 10 degrees C maximum. Action points, ideas:  Check the instruction manual for your AC to find out more.
  3. OPTIMIZE YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION (2) THIS WILL ALSO REDUCE YOUR BILL Reduce the leakage of heat from the building.  This can be done by improving the building’s insulation,  for example by installing shutters on windows (the highest % of exchange of heat goes through the windows and the shutters can reduce it)  or by putting some fluffy blankets / insulation in the loft.
  4. OPTIMIZE YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION (3) THIS WILL ALSO REDUCE YOUR BILL Increase the efficiency of the heating system.  If you are not ready for big investments/changes you can do something simple as placing heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.  If it is time to invest in a new heating system, take your time to research the best options for your case and consult with an expert, this might help you save a lot of energy.
  5. OPTIMIZE YOUR TRANSPORT (1)  According to European Environment Agency data, in 2017, 27 % of total EU-28 greenhouse gas emissions came from the transport sector.  Among these the highest contributor is the road transport sector with 71,7%,  followed by aviation and maritime transport.  Road transport has the highest impact because it is by far the widest used mode of transport.
  6. OPTIMIZE YOUR TRANSPORT (2) Based on the data we suggest the following action points and ideas for optimising your transport:  Whenever possible, leave the car at home and take the public transport.  Use shared public transport (especially electric trains, trams and buses).  They are far more energy-efficient than individual car-driving.  Try to share trips, use the car with 2 or more people.  Riding a bike is a great option if the place, where you live is bike friendly.
  7. OPTIMIZE YOUR TRANSPORT (3) When you have to use the car, you can still save energy by:  travelling at a steady speed,  avoiding using the breaks,  travelling more slowly. If you are about to choose a car, choose one with lower CO2 emissions. There are many sources of comparative data such as: https://www.nextgreencar.com/emis sions/make-model/
  8. OPTIMIZE YOUR TRANSPORT (4) The data shows short flights produce the highest greenhouse gas emissions per passenger kilometre (gCO₂e). Travelling in business and first class doubles and triples the emissions.  If you have to fly, fly longer distances and  choose economy flights.  You can also buy a package for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.
  9. OPTIMIZE YOUR FOOD (1)  Experts have calculated that by reducing our consumption of animal protein by half, we can diminish our diet's carbon footprint by more than 40%.  Food waste is estimated to make up 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.  At the same time in 2017 there were about 1 billion starving people in the world.
  10. OPTIMIZE YOUR FOOD (2) How can you change your diet, so it can be more climate friendly?  Eating less meat and dairy products is a good way to start a climate friendly diet.  This is also good for your the health.  The healthy food pyramid shows red meat should be eaten sparingly.  Use more chicken and fish. Image Source: Copyright © 2008. For more information about The Healthy Eating Pyramid, please see The Nutrition Source, Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, www.thenutritionsource.org, and and Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy, by Walter C. Willett, M.D., and Patrick J. Skerrett (2005), Free Press/Simon & Schuster Inc.”
  11. OPTIMIZE YOUR FOOD (3) In developed countries the main food waste comes from food rotting on the shelves in the shops or at home.  Think about how you can start throwing away less food.  You can try using a food waste reducing app, like TOO GOOD TO GO (https://www.oddbox.co.uk/blog/7-apps-that- are-helping-reduce-food-waste). On these apps, restaurants, cafes and bakeries list leftover food that would otherwise be thrown away and users can pick up a bag of food for a fraction of the original retail price.  Choose seasonal and local products. This reduces the carbon emissions from transport and long-term preservation of food. Recently experts assert that this is also more healthy.
  12. OPTIMIZE CONSUMPTION AND WASTE (1)  By choosing what and how much we buy we directly affect the climate.  We vote with our wallet for or against faster climate change.  Everything we buy has a carbon footprint, either from the way it is produced or from the way it is transported, or both.  For example, the clothing sector produces around 3% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Every time we decide to buy new clothes, not because we need them, but because they are more fashionable, we vote for faster climate change.
  13. OPTIMIZE CONSUMPTION AND WASTE (2) Choose carefully what you buy.  Review the brands policy on ecology, sustainability and climate change.  Look at Initiatives like the ETHICAL CONSUMER (https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/) or THE CONSIDERATE CONSUMER (https://www.considerate-consumer.com/). They provide guides how to shop ethically and also some insight in different industries.
  14. OPTIMIZE CONSUMPTION AND WASTE (3) To make your choice easier you can learn to understand the labels. For example, the most reliable sustainable certification schemes in fashion can be seen at https://www.considerate- consumer.com/certified-fashion
  15. OPTIMIZE CONSUMPTION AND WASTE (4) Reuse and repair things.  You have the choice to repair things or buy new ones. The cost in money terms may not be so different,  but there is a big difference in terms of the carbon footprint of a new appliance, when compared with a spare part.  Whenever possible repair and reuse clothes, shoes, appliances.  Give life to second-hand goods.
  16. OPTIMIZE CONSUMPTION AND WASTE (5) Recycle correctly.  Read the labels on packages carefully.  Identify what can and cannot be recycled.  Check instructions on the condition in which the plastic, paper and glass should be provided for recycling.  Check recycling web sites in your area.  To a large extent what you can and cannot recycle depends on the company that is responsible for this in your region. Check their instructions.
  17. “THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH ONE STEP.” Lao Tzu
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