Reducing our personal CO₂ footprint

 

Everyone’s green journey starts somewhere. While it's easy to get overwhelmed with all of the information, it's also simple for individuals to begin making a positive impact.

Embracing a greener lifestyle isn't just about helping to plant trees and preserve biodiversity, it can also mean improving health, saving money, and, ultimately, improving overall quality of life.

Many of our team members were already eco-conscious in their personal lives well before CEPA launched its climate initiative in 2018, which aligned perfectly with our organization's new goals. 

 

 
 

Julia

For me personally (and my family of course), we have photovoltaic panels on our roof to produce our own electricity as well as solar panels that heat our water 😊 For example, the electricity we don't use ourselves is then forwarded to the network for others to use. We also compost our food waste in our garden.
 
 

Conny

We are using a photovoltaic system to produce our own electricity and barely have to use electricity from other sources. Additionally, we also have a solar system to produce hot water. We are having a rain cistern to collect rain water, which we use e.g. for doing our laundry.
In our garden, we use a compost and the yield is again used in our garden to plant flowers, vegetables and herbs. We are also trying as much as possible to less use the car and do more by foot or bike.

 
 

Amelie

I personally eat very little meat and milk products. I try to buy things locally and support organic agriculture: I also try to use other means of transportation than driving by car.
 
 

Myriam

I use energy saving lightbulbs and don't heat up the rooms when I'm not home. I make sure to turn down the heating when I open the windows. I recycle garbage as best as I can. I buy organic products when it comes to meat or dairy products.

 
 

Sam

Our energy supplier (a citizens' movement) excludes subcontractors that use nuclear power plants or fossil fuel. We generally buy at local shops (no chains) as much as possible and try to avoid plastic packaging.
 
 

Lena

I use green powered electricity at home; eat little meat and usually buy organic products, especially when it comes to eggs, milk and other dairy products, try to avoid plastic bags when possible.

 
 

Marion

We have green powered electricity, solar panels for hot water and a rain water cistern to use the water for the toilet and washing machine.
 
 

Denise

1) I love going to the weekly market and buying fresh and unpacked food there. We also have a zero waste shop in my home town. 2) We buy eggs at a farm close to our village, where one can observe the chicken living on a huge area with shelters and hen houses. We can bring our egg carton and use it various times and thereby save waste. 3) I hardly ever use plastic bags, but always have my shopper basket or cloth bag with me.
 
 

Heide

We have solar panels on our roof which heat our water tank and have different solar panels to produce electricity for our own use. Our house is insulated and most electrical appliances are energy efficient. We air dry all of our laundry and don't own a dryer. We try to buy as much of our food from local farms. We look for organic and Fair Trade products at the store. We walk or use our bikes whevever possible instead of the car. 

We recycle and buy used as much as possible, whether it is clothes or items in the house and garden. We also think consciously about investing in quality goods and using them as long as possible, repairing instead of replacing them whenever possible. We also consider how much we really need and avoid "fast-fashion" and unnecessary purchases. The less, the better.

 
 

Katarina

Photovoltaic panels on our roof to produce electricity. Electric car. Usage of biodegradable detergents. Having days with only vegetarian diet to reduce consumption of meat. Replacement of milk with "oat milk". Supporting organziations which are locally planting trees. Supporting organizations which are protecting animals and their environment. Buying locally as far as it is possible.