While corporations may be responsible for most of the earth’s greenhouse gas emissions, individuals can still take steps to create a greener world. Discover practical ways to live a more eco-friendly life, from creating a more sustainable home to practicing eco-conscious habits.
Changing your eating habits is a small action that leads to a healthier lifestyle and planet. Buy locally sourced, in-season foods to reduce transportation emissions. When possible, choose organic, fair-trade, and eco-friendly products. While you don’t have to become a vegan, reducing your animal byproduct intake with meatless Mondays or switching your morning coffee creamer to plant-based milk can help to reduce gas emissions and water pollution.
An energy-efficient home allows you to live an eco-friendlier life daily. There are many ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency, from replacing old windows to replacing light bulbs with LED options. As an added benefit, improving your home’s energy efficiency can lower electricity and heating bills.
When possible, choose more sustainable transportation options for your daily commute or recreational travel. Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation to minimize your emissions. Consider a sustainable car, such as a hybrid or electric vehicle, when you are in the market for a new ride.
Single-use plastic’s few minutes of convenience results in a lifetime of landfill dwelling. Minimize your plastic usage with reusable alternatives, like stainless steel water bottles, cloth shopping bags, and silicone Ziplock-style bags.
With these practical ways to live a more eco-friendly life, you can do your part to create a healthier planet throughout each day. As you learn more ways to live a sustainable lifestyle, educate your friends and family on the importance of protecting the environment and ways they can do their part to help. Over time, you could create a new eco-conscious movement in your community.