Each one of us needs to reduce carbon footprint and hence make a difference to the environment around us. In addition, even more so in this period of economic downturn, we also want to do things like reduce our power bill.

Little changes that we make now will help to safeguard the environment for our future generations. This can be done by reducing Global Warming. Simply use some simple tips and help to you reduce your carbon footprint and save some money too.

So first we need to understand as to what a carbon footprint is. Simply put, a carbon footprint is a measure of that impact which our activities are having on the environment. This is related in particular to climate change. It is mainly related to the amount of greenhouse gases which we are producing in our day-to-day lives. This may be due to many reasons like burning fossil fuels for electricity, by heating or due to transportation etc.

So now we understand that a carbon footprint is actually a measurement of all the greenhouse gases which we produce and is incorporating tones of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Our office equipment as well as electronics are using energy even when they are idle or even on stand-by. Hence to save energy and also in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which are happening at our workplace, we need to always activate the power management features which are available on our computer as well as monitor. Another option is to unplug laptop power cords when they are not in use and always remember to turn off office equipment and lights at the end of the day. In other words, less usage of computers at work, sounds quite good, but how do we do it? There is so much to do, to read at home.

One very good option available today is using text to speech (TTS) to listen to text even on your iPod. Simply convert text to speech without using any software! You can either cut and paste text or simply upload a file where you want to convert your text to audio. Now listen to it on your commute back from office, or while you is busy doing your household chores. A fast and reliable way to reduce your carbon footprint at work!

Do the same to your school text, notes or while preparing for your exams. Convert your text to audio and then download it or even podcast it. Save time, fatigue of sitting in front of a computer screen for long hours as well as reduce your carbon footprint.

Whenever you are buying new products for your office at work, get all the features and performance that you want but also help to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions as well as any other harmful air pollutants. Always buy energy saving and energy star qualified office equipment, like computers, copiers, or even printers.

Always recycle and reuse office paper and electronic equipment and batteries. This reusing and recycling in the office greatly helps to conserve energy as well as reduces pollution too. You can use two-sided printing and copying and buying supplies which are made of recycled content.