Quick read | What is "carbon neutral"?

1. What Is Carbon Neutrality?

Carbon neutrality refers to the measurement of the total greenhouse gas emissions generated directly or indirectly by businesses, groups, or individuals over a certain period and offsetting their own carbon dioxide emissions through activities like reforestation, energy conservation, emission reductions, etc., to achieve "carbon dioxide emissions equal to zero."

2. What Can We Do for a Low-Carbon Lifestyle?

Clothing: Buy fewer unnecessary clothes. A typical set of clothing emits carbon dioxide, from raw materials to manufacturing to disposal. Buying fewer unnecessary clothes can reduce 2.5 kg of CO2 emissions. Additionally, clothing made of cotton emits less carbon than synthetic fibers, and wearing more cotton clothing is part of a low-carbon lifestyle.

Food: Eat more plant-based foods. Producing 1 kg of beef emits 36.5 kg of CO2, while fruits and vegetables emit only 1/9 of that amount. Local fruits, vegetables, and water also emit less carbon dioxide compared to imported ones. Additionally, a low-carb diet includes moderate alcohol consumption, reducing 1 kg of carbon dioxide if a person consumes less than 0.5 kg of alcohol in a year.

Living: Choose a smaller apartment and avoid excessive renovations. Reducing 1 kg of steel decoration can reduce 1.9 kg of carbon dioxide emissions, and using 0.1 cubic meters of wood for decoration can reduce 64.3 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

Usage: Select energy-efficient, water-saving, eco-friendly, and green products. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb with an 11-watt energy-efficient bulb and using it for 4 hours a day can reduce 68.6 kg of carbon dioxide emissions in a year. Turning off lights when not in use can reduce 4.7 kg of carbon dioxide emissions. Adjusting the air conditioner's temperature up by 1°C from 26°C can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 21 kg per year. Using fewer plastic bags can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 0.1 gram, using disposable chopsticks less frequently can reduce 103,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. Use elevators less often, use TV, refrigerators, computers, and other electrical devices sensibly, and turn them off when not needed. When working, use single-sided paper and reduce paper usage by implementing electronic offices.

Transportation: Drive less and choose smaller vehicles. Driving one less day a month can save 98 kg of CO2 emissions per vehicle per year, and even less if you opt for public transportation or cycling. By timely replacing air filters, maintaining proper tire pressure, and turning off the engine promptly, each vehicle can reduce CO2 emissions by 400 kg per year. Not only is it low-carbon, but it also offsets carbon emissions.