Are you looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint? It’s surprisingly easy to make small changes to your lifestyle that can help preserve the planet. With a little more intentionality, you can be part of a positive change.
Read on to learn about eight small things we can all do to save the planet!
1. Change Your Mode of Transportation
When you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, you contribute unhealthy carbon dioxide to the environment. This hurts air quality and contributes to pollution. And for anyone with sensitive lungs, polluted air can make health issues worse.
Trying to avoid driving in favor of carpooling is one positive step. If that’s not possible, look into public transit options, like a commuter rail or buses, to help steer clear of adding to the daily influx of traffic on the roads.
Do you live close to your workplace? Consider making that a priority if you don’t. You might be able to walk or bike to work.
As a bonus, biking and walking are good for your health. You’ll be able to double up on commuting and working out to get more out of your day.
2. Use Less Water
You can protect the environment by using less water. Using less water helps to keep rivers and other water sources full. And less water usage translates to less energy needed to heat or remove waste from water.
Taking shorter showers is an easy way to cut back on water use. Other ways to help include turning off faucets when brushing teeth or ensuring that dishwashers are fully loaded before use.
Fixing leaky toilets or faucets also can help. Likewise, tracking water bills from one month to the next can help you maintain more responsible water usage.
3. Look Into Renewable Energy Sources
Solar and wind energy are renewable energy sources that are always replenished. They don’t emit dangerous greenhouse gases that can hurt the planet. While installing a wind turbine on your property might not be realistic, installing solar panels could be feasible.
And you don’t have to live in a warm state to pursue solar energy, either. You can pursue getting solar energy in Minnesota or any other cold-weather state. Just be sure to work with a reputable installation company and be clear on warranties.
4. Change Your Thermostat
Can you tolerate slightly warmer temperatures in the summer months? And can you handle colder temperatures during the winter? If you’re able to be a little flexible, you can make a positive environmental difference.
You’ll be able to save energy if you’re able to tolerate a warmer environment during the summer. Likewise, notching the thermostat a bit lower in the winter can save energy, too.
You don’t want to make yourself miserable. But try moving gradually, one degree at a time, to build tolerance. You’ll save money on your monthly utility bills while conserving energy resources.
5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting
If your lamps still use halogen bulbs, consider making an upgrade. Going with LED lights instead of the traditional options is a great way to conserve electricity.
Other light-related habits can help converse energy, too. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. And be mindful of how many lights you have on at a time.
During the day, open the blinds to let sunlight serve as your primary light source. Use dimmer switches or try light timers to regulate your light usage.
6. Focus on Plants
Sustainable eating practices can help save the planet. Eating processed foods can trigger more greenhouse gas emissions, which can have a negative domino effect on everything.
By contrast, a plant-based diet can be beneficial in more ways than one. Buying produce from local farmers supports the local economy. It also cuts down on the distance covered to transport food.
Further, plant-based diets are healthier. You’ll be able to get more nutrients and avoid saturated fats often found in meats or processed foods.
Along the same lines, you can start composting with any plant-based waste. Composted vegetable remnants can turn into nutrient-rich soil. You’ll be able to start your own garden so you can walk outside to find the ingredients for your next meal!
7. Eat Less Meat
Eating meat can be bad for the planet. That’s because it takes a lot of space and water to raise animals for meat. Forests are depleted to make way for feedlots and fields devoted to animal feed.
And on top of that, trucks and other vehicles need to hit the roads to transport meat from one place to another. This contributes to dangerous emissions.
All of this adds up to more carbon dioxide and less biodiversity. You can do your part to help by limiting or eliminating the meat in your diet. Consider a simple first step like swapping out one meat-based meal per week with one that uses chickpeas or lentils instead.
8. Pay It Forward
Lastly, you can do a lot of good for the planet by sharing your education with others. This is especially true if you have young children. They’re sponges quite eager to absorb what you tell them!
Talk to your kids as you turn off lights after exiting rooms. Get them involved in gardening and composting. And help them understand the grander implications of their smaller gestures.
Model eco-conscious behavior for others. Strike up conversations on the merits of biking to work. And share recipes for lentil-centric meals to encourage others to eat less meat.
You don’t need to be aggressive or high-minded as you do this. Talk plainly about the dangers of greenhouse gases. And emphasize the value of taking small steps to help.
Save the Planet
To save the planet, you’ll need to focus on making small lifestyle changes. Try to limit your time on the roads and be mindful of your water use. Additionally, look for ways to embrace more plant-based foods and focus your efforts on educating the next generation to be good environmental stewards.
Learn new ways to protect the planet. Check back soon for new articles!
