Before the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the British government had been taking action on reducing carbon emissions.
The state had taken a significant step to reduce carbon emissions to a high degree. The British carbon tax lead to a 93% reduction in coal-fired electricity. A tax on carbon dioxide emissions in Great Britain, introduced in 2013, has led to the proportion of electricity generated from coal falling from 40% to 3% over six years, according to research conducted by University College London.
The British power which had been produced from coal is replaced with less-harmful emission such as gas. This decline in coal-generated electricity was substantial after an increase in the carbon tax during the year 2015. This report also declared the carbon tax, which is also known as Carbon Price Support, had been added at an average rate of £39, (USD 65) to the household bills.
Following The Carbon Price Support in Britain, it was employed in Scotland, Wales, and England at the rate of £4.94 (USD 6.06)/ton of carbon. Presently, the Carbon Price Support has been capped at £18 (USD 22.08) till 2021. The tax is one part of the Total Carbon Price, which also includes the price of EU Emissions Trading System permits.
How to play your part in reducing carbon emissions
1. Go Zero Waste
Going zero waste can be a significant step to combat climate change and to reduce carbon footprints. For this, you need to practice the essential 5 R’s of going zero waste. These 5 R’s are refuse, reduce, reuse, rot, and recycle. Make sure to do your best to follow these R’s as much as possible.
2. Prefer Biking
Traditional cars are putting out a lot of exhaust, which is polluting the air more rapidly. Vehicles are producing about one-third of air pollution all around the United States. The toxins emitted by cars are not only dangerous for the environment, but humans too. So, prefer to bike more and drive less to ensure fewer emissions of toxins in the air.
3. Reduce Water Usage
Now is the time to ensure conserving water and reducing water waste. There is only so much water on the earth, and we can never make more of it. About 96% of the water on earth is not usable. The remaining water is locked away in permanent snow, glaciers, polar ice, etc. So, the only thing we can do is to stop wasting water today so that we can use it tomorrow.
4. Switch To Clean Energy
Today is the time to switch to sustainable energy resources to save our planet. There are more methods to get sustainable energy in the present age. Solar and wind power are the most significant options to consider here.
Climate change has become a vital reality; however, this is not unsolvable. There are plenty of steps that can be put in place to reduce carbon emissions. There is an abundance of things that can help us in saving our planet in the best possible way. Today is the right time to reshape our lifestyles and reduce our carbon footprints.
