With global warming becoming more apparent, environmental protection has to be everyone’s priority. Leaders all over the world have initiated projects, movements, and legal actions in order to forward the eco-friendliness agenda. You, too, have the chance to make a difference with your everyday decisions.
Here are 7 things you can do to become a better citizen of the Earth:
Keep updated and learn.
The first step to taking action is awareness. Of course, you must understand why you do what you do in order to help you follow through. You can take a firm position on local and global environmental issues and understand what the right thing to do is when you are well-informed and discerning.
With various sources of information available and accessible, it’s your responsibility to look for credible ones. Many organizations are dedicated to research and reporting, and they share their findings for free on the internet. Conflicting reports and interpretations can arise, though, so you must think critically.
Take care of your belongings.
All of your things took time, effort, and resources to make. Your clothes, in particular, are produced by one of the most polluting industries in the world, the fashion industry. Understanding just how much it takes to produce things that make our lives better, we can be more grateful and also more careful.
When we properly tend to our belongings, we won’t need to replace them so often. This lessens demand and leads manufacturers to produce less. In effect, fewer resources are used up. With this, try to invest in quality and durability so that your things last longer.
Check out the natural and eco-friendly accessories from Joycoast. For every product you buy, ten trees are planted through Trees for the Future.
Shop mindfully.
Keeping the carbon footprint of producing commodities in mind, we should be more responsible consumers. When you end up needing new things, opt to buy secondhand items. Getting them won’t encourage more production as much as getting brand new ones will. Plus, they’re cheaper, and if you find the right ones, they could even be just as durable.
You should also opt for biodegradable packaging. Plastic is toxic to the Earth’s flora and fauna. At this point in time, micro-doses are even consumed by human beings through the fish we eat. By lessening our non-biodegradable waste, we promote our biodiversity, which is the natural regulator of our climate.
Bike, walk, or travel in groups.
Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, contributing to global warming. This is what currently powers our conventional cars, trains, airplanes, and other transportation technology. Now, we are developing the commercial use of alternative energy, however, they still cannot completely replace fossil fuels.
Consider biking or walking to your nearby destinations instead of using your private cars. This way, you’re not only saving the planet, but you’re also improving your cardiovascular health. Understandably, air quality can turn you off from those alternatives. In such a case, carpooling and taking public transportation are your other eco-friendly options.
Conserve water.
Out of the 70 percent water composition of the Earth, the ratio of saltwater to freshwater is 50 to 1. The water we drink and wash ourselves and our belongings with is finite in certain areas. Africa and California are known examples of parts of the world experiencing drought.
We also share this water with other organisms on the planet. Causing our land to dry up doesn’t just harm human habitats but also those of other species that keep the Earth healthy. With that, conserving water should be on everyone’s checklist. Use rainwater to wash your car, don’t sit in the shower for too long, and all that jazz.
Optimize your electricity use at home.
Our electricity, like our gas, comes from fossil fuels. We try to save on electricity not only for economic reasons but also to lessen our carbon footprint. There are many ways to do this. Here are some of them:
- Turn off the lights when they’re not useful.
- Let natural light in during the day.
- Invest in eco-friendly appliances.
- Use low-watt light bulbs.
- Unplug appliances that are not in use.
- Use a power inverter.
Also, be sure to know how many watts all your appliances contribute to your electricity consumption. That way, you’re aware and can adjust your consumption habits accordingly.
Manage your food waste.
Agriculture and livestock is another industry that contributes to global pollution and biodiversity loss. Cow manure produces significant amounts of carbon monoxide, large volumes of water are needed for crop production, and much land is used up for food production overall.
Manage your food waste at home by being mindful of when things expire and consuming them appropriately. Planning your meals will definitely help with this. You can also learn tricks on how to extend the shelf life of your perishables.
If you do have extra food that you can no longer consume, share it with the neighbors or repurpose it. You can either get creative in the kitchen or make compost with your excess food.
Conclusion.
We all share one Earth and what we do with it affects each other. Keep yourself, your friends, and your family in check by taking action and sharing this article. We hope this helped you in your journey towards becoming a better steward of the Earth.
