Climate change is one of the biggest issues of our time. And this is because it affects each and every living being on earth. Whether it’s extreme heat drying out food crops and causing starvation or melting glaciers resulting in higher sea levels and dangerous weather, one thing is clear: we must take action to create an eco-friendly environment now.
Today, more than ever, people are aware of the serious environmental problems we have, but are unsure of how to fix it. Thankfully, there are countless ways to tackle the issue of global warming and reverse the damage that’s been done.
From aspects like food and water to home care and everyday habits, learn six ways on how YOU can create a more eco-friendly living for yourself and the community around you.
Related reads: My Top 6 Natural & Eco-Friendly Beauty Products
1.Make Use of a Waterproof Shower Speaker
Most of us don’t realize how much time we actually spend in the shower. My first recommendation is to use the timer on your phone to determine how much time you’re actually taking under the running water.
Then, advance to step two, which is using a shower speaker to reduce shower time. By sticking to two songs for the duration of your shower (5-7 minutes), which is enough time for you to scrub yourself from your head to your toes, you’ll save a lot of water!
Are you a bath person? Here’s why you should convert.
2. Buy or Make Your Own Green DIY Cleaning Products
Purchasing or making your own biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products means that less toxic chemicals end up in rivers and lakes. Biodegradable substances have the ability to decay naturally and without harming the environment.
The chemicals harm humans, animals, plants and marine life. By eliminating these toxic cleaning supplies and substituting them with products that use eco-friendly ingredients, you’d be helping the planet in so many ways!
Hertel, Green Works and Dr.Bronner’s all have a great line of biodegradable products. You can also visit this blog to learn how to make your own for different surfaces and areas around the house.
3. Eat Less Meat
Reducing or eliminating meat from your diet is one of the number one things you can do to help the earth. A single hamburger requires nearly 2,500 liters of water, the equivalent of about a month of showers. While swapping our for chicken, which has the lowest carbon footprint of all common meats, may be a good start, there’s also ethics to think about.
Brands like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are however dominating the market in terms of offering simulated meat alternatives. With even more amazing Vegan/vegetarian-based brands like SOL Cuisine, Wholly Veggie! and Yves Veggie Cuisine, your choices of protein are practically endless.
4. Reusable bags? Use them!
Whether you’re grocery shopping, buying gifts or getting new clothes, bringing along a reusable bag eliminates having to use plastic.
Single use plastic is arguably one of the most harmful things for the planet. It contains toxic pollutants that damage the environment by causing land, water and air pollution. Plastic has only been around/widely used for 150 years, and yet it can take hundreds or even thousands of years for it to break down.
Most of it can’t be recycled and isn’t biodegradable and now we’re drowning in it. Here’s what you can use instead.
Oh and also, please stop buying buying items unnecessarily wrapped in plastic!
5. Unplug Electric Appliances When Not In Use
For the record, I’m not saying you should unplug your fridge. However, things like toasters, TVs, coffee makers, game consoles and chargers are a big yes. Fun fact, these items are actually on sleep or standby mode when not in use.
Phantom power can account for 5 -10% of your electricity costs/usage. By investing in a power strip, you can easily reduce your energy consumption at the switch of a button. Most importantly, this reduces the greenhouse gases emitted by fossil fuel burning power plants that generate electricity for our homes.
6. A Greener Commute
In Canada, 24% of transportation accounts for climate-polluting emissions, coming really close to the oil and gas industry. By walking, biking or using public transportation for your everyday travel, you can help reduce these harmful emissions. This can also help you save money and get in more exercise!
Other alternatives include carpooling and investing in an electric or hybrid vehicle.
Take this quiz to test your knowledge on the most effective ways to curb climate change. Also, let me know which tactic(s) you’ll be implementing in the comments below!
xo,
Aissatou