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NASA says 2024 was the hottest year on record with global temperatures being 2.30 degrees Fahrenheit (1.28 degrees Celsius) above the 20th century average. With increasing natural disasters, warm temperatures and extreme weather events, experts say that lowering carbon emissions can help slow down the earth’s warming. Here’s how to do it. Reduce Consumption “All of our waste actually generates greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tensie Whelan, director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business. She says that we can reduce our carbon footprint by purchasing less, shopping secondhand, using online sharing platforms and rethinking how we approach spending. One way to reduce consumption is to consider your heating and air conditioning. Ductless mini-split heat pumps are heating and cooling systems that regulate temperatures in the home. They work by transferring heat in or out of individual rooms without using ductwork. This allows for room-by-room temperature control and significantly lowers your electricity use, therefore reducing your energy cost. While the initial purchase may be expensive, over time, homeowners can save up to 30% or more on energy bills. Just make sure that when you purchase a mini-split heat pump, you look for the ENERGYSTAR label to maximize your energy savings. Another inexpensive way to lower your consumption is to wash your laundry with cold water. There are multiple detergents that work with this such as the Tide Plus Coldwater Clean and Arm & Hammer Cold Water Liquid Laundry detergent. If you’re able to afford higher-cost solutions, consider solar panels on your roof or switching to a plant-based or organic diet. What’s important is that you focus on your own home, transport and lifestyle choices. Hold Companies Accountable Many companies will claim to be environmentally friendly, but their actions say otherwise. Sometimes, they’ll have a commitment to something called “Net Zero.” “Net Zero is when you are saying, I'm going to reduce my emissions in a way that I will not contribute to the Earth warming,” Whelan said. “They should have very specific commitments, and they should be reporting on them annually, if they're not, then you might want to try to find an alternative company.”When purchasing from companies that claim to be eco-friendly, look for certifications such as those from the Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade. You can also boycott companies that don’t uphold commitments, or “buycott” companies that do. Buycotting is when you purchase from companies whose policies you agree with in order to show support.Stay PositiveLast but not least, stay positive! You can counteract negative feelings by remembering that individual actions do make a difference. “It may feel like you're acting alone, but nothing has ever changed the world more than a few people doing it and then another few people doing it, until all of a sudden, you have the entire world making changes, and that's what we need," Tensie said.