EditorsLiving an eco-friendly life is not as hard as you may think. As we all start to open our eyes to the effects our actions have on the planet, it is important for us all to make small changes to our lives to protect the plants and creatures that reside here. If you are hoping to make a change for the better this year and help the Earth live on longer, here are some of the simple changes for a greener life you can make that will make all of the difference.
Conserve energy
The first and most obvious thing you can do to help the environment is to conserve energy. We use energy every day to power our homes, our cars, and our phones. Energy however is often sourced from fossil fuels, and the burning of these is bad for the environment as well as for the structure of our planet itself. By using less energy you can lessen these effects and build a better world. Small things such as turning off the light when you leave a room, having a shorter shower or batch cooking can be great ways to conserve energy. And on the plus side it will save you some money!
Eat less meat
We are by no means saying that you can’t eat meat to be friendly to the environment, but you should consider cutting down. The reason why we shouldn’t eat too much meat is because of the energy used to produce it. When meat is prepared, transported, and stored it uses a lot of energy and it is important to try and cut this down. The same goes for fruit and vegetables grown abroad, wherever you can always try to support local producers.
Use renewable energy
The great thing about our world is that every year more and more of our energy is renewable. When choosing an energy provider make the switch to a renewable provider and it will change your life. It will not only be cheaper a lot of the time, but it will be 100% carbon free! You can even consider getting solar panels on the roof to provide energy to your own house.
Use eco-friendly technology
When choosing technology to use in your life think about how eco-friendly they are. Choosing specific computers, appliances, and phones can make an impact on the environment and even the companies you choose to buy from are important. Whether you are looking for a smarty 30gb plan for your phone or broadband for your house, make sure that the company you choose is as eco-friendly as they can be.
Reduce waste
Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to energy wastage, and if you want to help the environment you should try to get use out of everything you have in the cupboards. Make sure that you always try to use up your ingredients and force yourself to become a little more experimental in the kitchen. Have fun with it and make meals you never would do normally with leftovers.
Photo via Pixalbay
Recycle it all
You can recycle most things these days. We all know about paper, glasses, bottles, and food. As well as this you can recycle items such as clothes, DVDs and electronics, as long as you know where to look. Don’t ever simply throw things out because most of the time you can do something with it. Whether it be giving it to a charity shop for someone else to find use for or recycling it at the tip.
Ditch the plastic bags
It has been the norm for many years to go to the supermarket and place all of our fresh fruit and veg in plastic bags… but now that is not the best case at all. Plastic is the leading issue we have in the world and our oceans are full of plastic that is killing animals every single day. To reduce plastic in our oceans, leave your produce loose or buy a small jute bag to put them in.
Get a compost bin
The best investment you will make for your garden this year is a compost bin. A compost bin can take anything from grass cuttings to flowers and fruit and veg, and you can even layer it up with paper documents and they will break down over time. A compost bin ensures that any waste you do have can be recycled in the garden to feed your plants.
Install a water butt
The second best investment you will make in the garden this year is the installation of a water butt. A water butt is a large tank that you can attach underneath your gutter to collect rainwater. The water butt has a tap close to the bottom which you can use to fill up a watering can and water your garden without using a hose. It is not only cheaper but uses no energy and therefore is much better for the environment.
Use the microwave
Did you know that the microwave is more efficient than your oven? If you have the option, use the microwave to heat up foods such as pasta and soup, and to even cook potatoes. It will be much quicker and use less energy in the long run.
Keep cleaning natural
One of the biggest issues facing marine life apart from plastic is the use of strong chemicals. Things such as bleach and Borax are incredibly harmful to water dwelling animals and poisons water systems. To avoid this, consider using safer and more natural cleaning remedies such as lemon and vinegar, or baking soda.
Photo: Sarah Gray via Unsplash
Keep beauty natural
Makeup and beauty products are another big contender for ruining our waterways, and if you want to look great without damaging the environment it is worth reconsidering your brands. There are many brands out there that are cruelty free and vegan, and many now also look for more eco-friendly production methods to reduce their carbon footprint. Use this as an excuse to try something new this year and you won’t be disappointed!
Switch to LED
One of the best things you can do when it comes to smarter energy choices at home is switch to LED lights. Not only do they look better and work more efficiently, but they are way more eco-friendly than halogen ones.
Insulate the house
One of the biggest costs and uses of energy in the home is heating. We all like having a cosy house, but now and again this can cost us a lot of money and a whole lot of energy. To ensure that you can keep the house warm as well as reduce your energy usage, insulate the house. You can insulate the floor, walls, and roof to lock heat in and avoid using lots of energy.
Upcycle
There are many ways to recycle objects and make sure that someone gets use out of it, but what about you? Instead of immediately getting rid of old furniture, see if there is any way for you to repurpose it for good. There are plenty of good ways to upcycle and it will save you a lot of money and it will save energy of creating a new product and shipping it to you.
Get on your bike
No we aren’t being rude… cycling or walking to work instead of going by car can be the one of the best changes you make to your life. When it comes to cars, every car on the road releases CO2 into the atmosphere and this damages the Ozone layer. To avoid damaging our planet’s protective layer, cycle or walk and it can double up as a good workout!
Create an edible garden
There are a lot of ways you can reduce the energy used in the world, and sourcing fresh produce is one of them. Instead of heading to the store for plastic wrapped broccoli and veggies, think about growing your own at home in the garden. This can not only be great for the environment but it will also be a fun hobby. You’ll soon be able to learn what foods are in season throughout the year and you can create your weekly menu to fit in with it.
Plant trees
If you want to make a big impact on the world, plant a tree every week. Trees create oxygen and they also rid our air of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases. In terms of the world, trees are true superheroes and the more we have the better.
Get food delivered
One last way to save energy usage and carbon footprint is to get your weekly shop delivered. The reason for this is that instead of 200 cars going to the store to pick up food, there is 1 van delivering it and this will use much less fuel and therefore have a lower impact. Plus, it’s more convenient!
These simple changes for a greener life could make a huge difference – so why not start today?
Also Read:
