Many people gradually realize the need an eco-friendly life and to protect the earth. For we need to preserve its resources for the oncoming generation. Every day, our activity impacts the planet, from our water consumption habit to our driving method, to the package we use for grocery shopping.
The idea is not to find an alternative for water or ditch your car altogether. However, you can make choices that will influence the earth positively. The government, local authorities, small and large communities, and various groups are trying to adopt and make everyone embrace a green life.
This post will discuss some little things you can do to make the world greener and live a more eco-friendly life. It involves limiting the number of earth resources you use to help protect it. One can achieve this in many ways.
Use Natural Medications
Many contemporary medicines have gone through a series of processes that consume energy and pollute the earth. However, the use of natural medication can reduce the impact on the environment.
One such natural medication is CBD. Many countries around the globe have legalized CBD products, provided the THC content is less than 0.3%. CBD products come in many forms like oil, gummies, vape products, bath bombs, etc.
The choice of CBD products supports the sustainability benefits that come from using hemp products. Hemp is one of the best plants with a series of uses. It uses less water, fights soil erosion, absorbs tons of carbon dioxide, etc.
Reduce Your Meat and Dairy Consumption
Eliminating animal products from your diet can also help protect the environment, including your favorite bacon or steak. If everyone only eats meat twice or thrice per week, the impact will be magnanimous.
Livestock rearing and processing of its product is an energy-demanding endeavor. It involves heavy reliance on water, land, harmful chemicals, and a series of packaging products. According to research from the University of Oxford, when someone does away with meat in their diet, it reduces 70% of their carbon footprint. With this, greenhouse emission reduces while freeing up land space.
There are advantages to going vegan – it keeps you fit physically and boosts your mental health. You also reduce the risk of some diseases. As a result, you are not only saving the environment but yourself.
Don’t Drive Everywhere
As much as you can, don’t drive everywhere. While this will save the environment, it will also put some money back in your pocket. One of the bright sides of Covid-19 (even though we don’t wish for any pandemic again on our planet) is that many people switched to working from home. It became the new normal as many companies adopted the work-from-home style even after the pandemic.
Besides working from home, carpool with colleagues or use public transport. Combine a series of errands into a single trip. You can also ride a bike to the grocery store if it is not far. This way, you will also get the benefit of exercising.
Plant Trees
Nature designed trees for human survival. While many people do not realize that trees sanitize the air, supply oxygen, give fruits, prevent soil erosion, and shelter wildlife. A shady tree in your home reduces energy consumption and keeps the temperature bearable in summer. It reduces extreme dependency on the air conditioner.
If possible, consider indoor plants. Plant small trees around your home and avoid cutting trees as much as possible. Work with NGOs who support the planting of trees and educate others about it.
Consider Reusable Materials
It’s high time we ditched all the disposables on or dining like cups, napkins, wrappings, etc., and switch to reusable. Disposables add to the waste that eventually pollutes the environment. Besides, many of these materials are not biodegradable, so they constitute a nuisance to the environment.
For whatever reason, many people throw away their lunch boxes, cutlery, paper napkins after food, which is not a good habit. Consider reusable items even while shopping, including your water bottles and coffee container.
Switch to LED Light Bulbs
Conventional or energy-saving bulbs have many advantages over the traditional bulb. They are brighter, long-lasting, reduce energy consumption, and overall, do not release much heat.
Also, there are varieties in terms of brightness, and you can go for something that suits you. This reduces the overall power you consume.
Donate all unused Cloths and Other Items
Rather than thrashing whatever it is you do not need, why not donate it. It could be food, items, clothes, shoes, furniture, books, toys, whatever. Charities will appreciate this, and they will arrange to have such items picked up.
Reduce Chemical Based Products
Chemicals are not friendly to the earth at all. For every cleaning supply you use, the chemicals may sip into groundwater, find their way into rivers and other water bodies, and poison aquatic life. Such water is harmful to plants and animals that absorb them.
You can clean and scrubs all your pots and pans with vinegar and baking soda. Your garden soil will derive good manure from vegetables and fruit peels, so don’t trash them.
Even your face and skin will benefit from using egg white with orange rinds rather than chemical products.
Be Meticulous with Your Hygiene
It’s high time you paid attention to what makes up your beauty products like face and hair cream, lotions, body scrub, etc.; stay away from microbeads – tiny bits of plastics which finds their way into a water body and sneak into the food chain, thus damaging the environment.
As much as possible, stick to natural cleaning products to protect the environment.
Consider Recycled products and Reduce Waste
When shopping, try and avoid products with chemicals and plastics as much as possible. You’re focused while shopping should be recycled materials with less packaging. Check the manufacturing process and be sure the product is environmentally friendly. As much as possible, focus on products made from recycled materials with fewer chemicals.
Thanks to the internet, you have all the information you need to do minor repairs around the house. There are tutorials on fixing almost anything. As a result, throwing off any spoiled product or gadget should not be the first thing that comes to mind. Try and repair or turn it into something you can use.
Consider Living Without Plastic
Plastics exist almost everywhere around us so, living without plastics might be a challenge. However, even if it is hard, it is not impossible.
There are billions of pounds of plastic that make up the ocean surface. Every year, millions of aquatic and marine lives like sea turtles, sea birds, fishes, etc., lose their lives after poisoning by plastics. Reducing the plastic you use will help immensely.
When shopping, consider reusable bags, avoid single-use water bottles, straws, and bags, and stay away from products packaged with plastics as much as possible.
Don’t Neglect Labels
Options exist when it comes to purchases. From food items to drinks, clothing, and others, the choice could be mesmerizing. However, some brands stand out when reducing the impact on the environment and protecting the earth.
Organically cultivated food items are a terrific choice, while they might cost a little extra. These are crops grown without pesticides, keeping the environment and wildlife active. Consider fair-trade certified goods as much as you can to support firms that use sustainable methods in manufacturing and offer a fair wage to their workers.
Consider Having a Small Family
With almost 8 billion people on the earth and many being born daily, the pressure on natural resources keeps increasing. As a result, our demand for water, food, fossil fuels, etc., increases, pushing other species into extinction.
It is possible to have an ecologically sustainable population that will still prioritize human rights, reduce poverty, keep the excessive population at bay, improve the standard of living and allow the overall ecosystem (including plants and animals) to thrive.
If everyone considers having a small family with two kids, the impact can be positive.
Consider Purchases with Environmental Benefit
Whatever substantial financial commitment you want to make needs to have earth saving-features. For instance, if you need a new car, consider a fuel-efficient vehicle. Not only will this save you thousands of dollars in gas, but you will also reduce carbon emissions.
When buying a new washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, water heater, etc., check if it has the energy star label. It is a pointer to energy-efficient appliances.
Conclusion
As evident above, there are many steps one can take to make the earth sustainable. Little everyday choices will go a long way to ensure that the planet is greener and our impact reduces. This way, we preserve many resources for the oncoming generation.
Author bio: Emma Wilson is a content specialist with a focus on health and wellness.
