With the rise of veganism, electric-powered cars and the war on plastic, more and more of us are adopting eco-friendly lifestyles. It’s a good job too — leading scientists warned in late 2018 that we don’t have long left to prevent a climate change catastrophe.
While it can feel like we’re too small to make a difference on our own, the steps we take on an individual level all add up. The more we adapt our behavior as a society, the more likely we are to influence governments and big businesses into change too.
Here are four ways you can go green in your everyday life.
Invest in energy-saving tech
Are you a tech enthusiast or a technophobe? While they may require some initial outlay, solutions such as smart meters and solar panels can help you limit your energy usage and even reduce your utility bills in the process.
There are lots of ways to manage your finances and you should always choose the option that works best for you, but investing in technology can pay off in the long term.
Eat better
The food we eat and the ways in which we buy it affect our environment on a monumental scale. From eating less meat to making a meal plan to cut down on waste, thankfully there are several steps you can take to eat eco-friendlier.
Try to choose food with less packaging where possible. Many eco-stores offer loose fruit and vegetables alongside refills of items like nuts, spices and cereals, and Waitrose is currently trialling a scheme, so take your own containers along and dig in.
Reuse, reuse, reuse
As well as food containers, why not try reusable coffee cups, water bottles and bags too? These small swaps can help to reduce the amount of single-use plastics heading to landfill, while there are now eco-friendly alternatives to everyday items like cling film too.
Try to extend this philosophy to other areas of your life. Buying or selling second-hand clothes and furniture gives items new life, as well as saving you an extra penny or two. If you do need to buy something new, make sure it’s built to last, to save you from replacing it again in a year’s time.
Travel smarter
How do you prefer to travel? Try swapping your car for a bike where possible and give public transport a try on longer journeys. If you do need to take the car to work, see if there’s someone nearby who you can share a lift with to halve the amount of fuel you’re using between the two of you.
While we all need to take a break from time to time, our holidays can have a damaging impact on the environment too. Consider a staycation for your next break, and try to take the eco-friendly behaviors you’ve adopted at home with you.
Article Submitted By Community Writer