Many people strive to maintain a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle. A sustainable lifestyle is meant to meet your current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by making choices that protect and restore our natural resources. Sustainable living starts with being conscious of the choices you make every day and how they impact the environment and community around you. Here are ten ways you can live a more sustainable lifestyle:
1. Drive less
Instead of driving, walk or ride your bike wherever possible. It’s the best thing for the environment, reduces your carbon footprint, and gets you some exercise. If you must drive, use public transit or carpool whenever possible.
2. Eat less meat and dairy
The meat and dairy industry has a large effect on climate change, primarily due to waste created by production and transportation. Industry waste also often ends up in landfills, taking up space that could otherwise be used for crops, which would also help fight against pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. As such, eating less meat and dairy can help reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Go paperless
The paper industry has a big impact on the environment and climate change, as it cuts down trees, which absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, to make paper. The paper-disposal process also produces carbon dioxide. You can reduce your paper usage by switching to technical applications, such as e-readers and digital documents.
4. Recycle and reuse
Many kids learn it in elementary school: reduce-reuse-recycle to take care of our planet. Recycling, as well as reusing (or the more recent trend “upcycling”) aids in the reduction of pollution and the conservation of resources. Recycle and reuse products as much as possible.
5. Buy less
A big part of sustainable living is consuming less. The less stuff we buy, the fewer resources are used to produce more items to meet demand. As such, try only to buy what you need; when you do buy something, try to buy quality items that will last. Buying second hand is also a great way to get what you need while still reducing your carbon footprint.
6. Reduce water and electric usage
Conserving water and energy is vital for both the environment and your wallet. You can reduce your water usage in several ways, such as fixing leaks, shortening showers, and only running the dishwasher when it’s full. You can save energy by switching off lights when you leave a room, unplugging electronics when they’re not in use, and setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and higher in the summer.
7. Grow a vegetable garden
Growing vegetables is one of the best things you can do for the environment. If you don’t have space for a garden, consider growing some herbs or vegetables in pots on your balcony or patio. You will not only be able to eat fresh, healthy produce, but you can also reduce your carbon footprint.
8. Shop with the environment in mind
Try to buy local and seasonal produce when you’re grocery shopping. Doing so reduces the energy required to transport food. You can purchase directly from an organic farm or market to ensure you’re buying local. Additionally, try to purchase products made from recycled materials and avoid excessive packaging.
9. Go plastic free
Plastic pollution is a huge problem, so it’s important to do what you can to reduce your plastic usage. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store and avoid single-use plastics like straws, water bottles, and coffee cups.
10. Volunteer
One way to support the environment is by volunteering for environmental causes. Many organizations are working to protect the planet and can always use more help. You can also donate money to support their work.
