As the global temperature rises resulting in wildfires and melting glaciers every country worldwide experiences some effects of climate change. As this prevalent issue grows the human population is facing the consequences of wasteful actions.
It will not stop if we don’t take action and align our priorities to create a sustainable future. Our responsibility is to address anthropogenic changes, change our habits and make eco-friendly choices for a safer planet. If you want to contribute to a healthy environment and lead a sustainable lifestyle but don’t know where to start, these few simple changes in your life will help the environment.
Reduce:
Buying new clothes every time you’re invited to a party dramatically impacts the environment. About 3,000 liters of water are used to produce only one cotton t-shirt. Hoarding clothes means wasting tons of water; reduce and re-wear your clothes to cut consumerism. Choose your clothes wisely. Fabrics can be harmful; clothes made from nylon, polyamide, and polyester release micro-plastics that enter the water system and affect marine life.
Avoid food wastage. Your leftovers play a vital role in affecting the environment. Wasted food squanders the amount of time, energy, and water used to produce it and turns into toxic methane if it reaches the landfill and rots. Hence, think before throwing your food. Buy less and save more, plan before cooking your meal to avoid wastage, or pack your leftovers and freeze them to create another meal.
Reuse:
The first and easiest way to change is to avoid single-use plastic. It is one of the most harmful components affecting the environment. Replace your plastic supplies with reusable materials by getting reusable bags, water bottles, or cups when you’re planning for a day out. Ditch your plastic toothbrush and buy a reusable bamboo one. Similarly, organic products like soaps and shampoos can replace chemical-loaded products in the long run to adapt eco-friendly choices.
Recycle:
As essential as it is to reuse materials, recycling items such as plastics can make a difference. Recycling goes a long way. Look around your house to find recyclable materials in different corners. Discard your kitchen waste in recycling bins, recycle plastic bottles to grow house plants, turn empty jars to make candles or pots for decorative purposes, and use plastic boxes to contain leftover food for a sustainable lifestyle.
Conserve Energy:
Energy conservation can create a considerable impact, which is why you should practice using less energy. Turn off extra lights and unplug appliances if you’re not using them. Another way to conserve energy is by changing your means of commute. Use public transport or choose walking to cover nearby distances to reduce carbon emission.
Save Water:
Water is an essential element and a basic need of life. Water scarcity is rapidly undergoing a surge in some parts of the world, and it may lead to a global water crisis if we don’t stop wasting water. Turn off the water tap while brushing your teeth and spend less time in the shower. Check your toilet and fixtures for water leaks. You can also install water-saving devices to prevent water wastage and help in creating a sustainable future.
Plant Trees:
Plant trees to reduce the impact of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The more plants you grow, the more it will help to reduce global warming. As temperatures rapidly melt ice sheets, growing plants is crucial in minimizing the impact.
If you are an environmental enthusiast concerned about protecting the natural environment but confused about what changes you should make, you need to start by taking an active stance on the issue. The tips mentioned above will help you create awareness and change for a safe and eco-friendly environment. These are just some simple solutions to start with, but you can do more by researching other sustainable solutions that work best for your lifestyle.
