Carbon dioxide emissions have decreased over the past few months due to shelter-in-place orders, with annual decrease figures nearing levels we have not seen since World War II. According to experts, however, these drops may be short-lived. 

An international study published in the Nature Climate Change Journal found that daily emissions have declined 17 percent between January and April and could decline by as much as an additional eight percent by the year’s end. 

To cut down on carbon emissions, it’s crucial to understand what makes up a carbon footprint and the daily steps that can be taken to reduce it. As individuals who live on this planet and participate in communities, we have a specific responsibility to care for our environment. Just as we spend a few minutes or hours cleaning our homes every week, we should be intentional with how we care for our larger habitat.