If you’re someone who stays up to date with the news, you’re most probably well-informed of the worsening, deleterious effects of climate change. And we’re not only talking about environmental issues; we mean problems that could also affect our health and safety. Every day, alarming headlines and reports emerge about how people are defiling the planet at a dangerous pace.
What does eco-friendly living entail?
Although many individuals, groups, and organizations seek to save and support our natural resources, only a few know where to start and take action. The first thing one must learn is what makes each component of our environment a part of the process of altering and conserving our resources.
Eco-friendly living is characterized by adopting a lifestyle that helps in the preservation of our planet and natural resources. It promotes taking simple initiatives to care for the earth to make it a livable, safe home for each one of us and future generations.
Why is it necessary to assume a sustainable lifestyle?
Environmental problems in the world cannot be blamed on companies or organizations alone—just like a puzzle, everything is connected. If we want to revive our environment, each one of us must do our share and start working together.
Understanding the fundamentals by examining each aspect of our life that can be changed to protect our environment is the best place to begin. Making personal decisions to help change one’s perception or consumption of resources comes next. Interestingly, these lifestyle modifications are fairly simple to implement as there are various methods to conserve the resources in our surroundings.
You’re a Part of the Solution
While some conveniently turn a blind eye, thinking that this issue is out of control and that there’s little to nothing to do to prevent the worsening situation, jumping on the bandwagon with this mindset is counterproductive.
All members of the community can contribute by minimizing their carbon footprint and making their lifestyles more environmentally sustainable. As much as it is everyone’s responsibility, governments and corporations certainly can do a lot more.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to become an advocate of eco-friendly living. Simple adjustments such as practicing water conservation at home, purchasing locally grown products, or even riding your bike to work can all leave a huge impact and set good examples for others.
As a bonus, you’re likely to live a healthier life and save money by choosing to go greener because these principles tend to come together.
9 Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Save the Environment Today
In this article, we will be highlighting efficient ways to adopt eco-friendly living in your home, work or business, and the community. Read on to learn about lifestyle choices that contribute to preserving the planet.
For an Eco-friendly Home
1. Conserve water
Water conservation is highly necessary because pumping water from rivers or lakes into your home expends a lot of electricity. By conserving water, the amount of energy consumed to filter it will also be minimized.
You can save water by replacing leaking pipes, keeping the running tap close while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, using water-saving appliances, recycling water in your home, collecting rainwater in a barrel to water your grass, and more.
2. Use renewable energy for your home electricity
Investing in a renewable energy source for electricity is one option for homeowners to become more environmentally responsible. Here, solar panels are an excellent alternative. This type of renewable energy generates power from the sun and converts it into energy that homes and buildings can use. Solar energy is far more environmentally friendly than the energy obtained from the combustion of fossil fuels.
3. Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products
Household cleaning solutions are brimming with the most potent germ killers on the market, skillfully formulated to eliminate harmful organisms that come into contact with them.
However, these man-made chemicals aren’t good for the environment, and many of them have devastating impacts on animal and plant life once they enter our waterways through sewer systems.
Detergents, preservatives, and foaming agents are among the chemicals that cause environmental pollution the most. If you wish to use green household products, look for the ones that don’t contain any synthetic chemicals.
For Eco-friendly Work or Business Operations
4. Promote a paperless office
A great deal of paper is used in some businesses and workplaces. Whether it’s for a meeting or contract signing, printing documents can be inevitable. But that doesn’t mean that all files have to be printed.
A smart strategy is to consider if having a document in hard copy is necessary. If not, you might want to consider sending it via email. In today’s highly digital world, even contracts can be sent and signed online. These practices reduce the world’s carbon footprint.
5. Set up a recycling program
Establishing a recycling program in your company is an excellent way to increase consciousness about sustainability. Educate your employees on everything about recycling and proper waste disposal to help them identify what belongs in the trash, compost, and recycling bins.
Not sure what to do with an old MacBook? You can check on having outdated computer parts and other items that are taking up space in your office safely removed and donated to a local organization that supports ethical electronics recycling.
6. Reduce energy consumption
It’s worth knowing that energy use accounts for a great majority of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
Commercial structures are among the major players in all energy-related emissions.
This may come off as insignificant on the surface, but the average corporate energy use is about tens of thousands of kWh per year, which has a substantial environmental impact. Consider maximizing natural light in your business premises to avoid wasting power.
For a Greener Community
7. Start planting trees
Trees are vital for human survival. They provide oxygen, produce fruits, purify the air, preserve wildlife, and prevent soil erosion.
Even in the summer, a shaded landscape around your home can help you save energy and keep your home cool. Start planting small trees around your property and don’t chop the existing ones unless they show risks of falling that might endanger lives or structures.
You may also collaborate with your community’s environmental organizations to plant more trees in your vicinity and teach others about the benefits of doing so.
8. Patronize your local shops
When well-established enterprises expand to popular vacation spots, local communities that are struggling to make ends meet face a problem. If you want to empower communities in overcoming these adversities, you can support them by buying from locally owned stores and restaurants
9. Educate others and set an example
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much—that’s why everyone must be educated on the importance of adopting an environmentally responsible lifestyle.
Global communications have greatly advanced in different ways during the last century. This has accelerated the rate at which ideas and discoveries can be spread. The more the general public understands the value of preserving our planet’s natural resources, the more we can do as a community to protect it.
Let’s Choose to Care, Support, and Preserve
It’s no longer a fad to be conscious of how you leave your mark on the world. An environmentally sustainable way of life is a worthy cause, as individuals and organizations choose to care for the earth that is our source of life, no less.
Take initiative and offer all the help you can when a friend or a family member expresses an interest in recycling materials. Start a carpool program or, better yet, encourage people to bike to school or the office with you. Be more conscious of your shopping habits and the businesses you choose to support.
You may not realize the impact of these actions right off the bat, but your efforts could have a huge effect on environmental preservation.
Author – Garry Everrett is a Tech Geek who is a freelance writer by passion. Mostly, he writes about topics revolving around the latest gadget and technology, specializing in new or refurbished iMac. In his free time, he likes to walk his dog, read sci-fi novels, and play golf.
