Everyday things we can do to help positively impact the environment
Hey there,
As we all continue to try to save the planet and reduce climate change, I wanted to share with you 12 lifestyle tips that you can incorporate into your daily lives:
Reusable straws: This is easy but highly effective way to start living a plastic-free life. Whether making drinks at home or ordering things to-go, try to carry a reusable straw with you. Reusable straws are easy to clean and carry, and can be purchased at an economical price. Most reusable straws are made out of: metal, silicon, or bamboo. Explore here to find the right one for you.
All natural, non-harmful sunscreen: Regular sunscreen consists of loads of chemicals that is both harmful to you and the coral reef/aquatic systems of the oceans. Check out my article on sustainable sunscreens to learn more about the importance of them and see what options are out there.
Walk, bike, or use public transportation: Of course, certain forms of transportation may not be accessible depending on where you live and what you are doing. But, generally speaking, try your best to use modes of transportation that do not require the usage of gasoline or any other harmful fuels. Some examples are: walking, bike riding, roller blading, skateboarding, and local public transportation. If you do have to use cars, try to drive smaller vehicles or car pool.
Email or text receipts: The transition to a fully digital life continues! For several years now, businesses have been offering various forms to provide receipts. Start to only request for email and text so you can reduce your paper usage.
Analyze your carbon footprint: As human beings, consumers, and active contributors to this planet, we each have our own carbon footprint, which is the amount of greenhouse gas (specifically carbon dioxide) emitted by a person within a given amount of time. It is fundamental that we each focus our efforts on reducing our carbon footprints so as to help stop climate change, which is directly linked to global warming. Try participating in offsetting programs that aim to offset and revert carbon footprints. Utilize online sources, such as, Carbon Footprint to calculate your carbon footprint and get additional tips on how to proceed forward.
Reduce normal meat consumption: If you are a meat eater, like me, try to reduce your meat consumption little by little. Of course, when you have eaten meat your whole life, it may be a bit difficult to start decreasing your meat intake, but, in the long run, it's worth it. Not only can you save money and start supporting plant based organizations, but you can also elongate your health and save the environment. I will share more plant-based lifestyle tips soon as I, myself, am trying to become more plant-based.
Gradually become more vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan: This is in line with tip #6, however, let's take it one step further. When you start to live a more plant-based life, your nutrition and eating habits start to change but also does your consumption as a whole. You can try to support more vegan, cruelty free, and ethically certified products across all industries, such as, home goods, cleaning, fashion, and beauty. Click here for a guide on plant based living.
Be more minimalistic: Minimalism can be defined as a style of art and life that emphasizes extreme simplicity. This form of living and consuming can be very beneficial to one's financial spendings, issues with materialism, and aiding in the environmental cause. When you are following a more minimalist lifestyle, you consume less and reuse more. You focus on the essentials and realize that materialistic objects are not the key to long term success and happiness. I will be sharing more insight on this topic in the near future, but, for now, here is an introduction and guide to minimalism.
Eat Raw: Many of us are used to cooking, baking, roasting, boiling, grilling, etcetera most of the food that we eat. However, there are many foods that do not require heat-based forms of preparing our food. Raw eating is when you eat food products in their most natural state. There are many benefits to raw eating, which includes your personal nutrition and decreasing energy consumption. Click here for a basic guide to raw living.
Time your showers: Overuse of freshwater has been a long running issue for quite some time now. Start by trying to take just one shower a day as two showers, for the most part, are not necessary. Secondly, time your showers according to what you need to do. For example, if you are taking a standard shower, set the timer for 10-15 mins. If you are taking a shower and need to shave, set the timer for 15-20 mins. Lastly, if you are washing your hair, perhaps set the timer for 20-30 mins. Start by doing this, and then slowly try to decrease your time in the shower.
Use canvas bags: I am sure you all have heard of this one before, but it is super important! Whenever possible, especially when shopping, try to always bring canvas bags with you. This will help stop single use plastic and inform businesses that customers are no longer needing plastic bags for purchases. For example, when in the grocery store, try to use a small canvas bag for all of your produce and then use a larger one to put all of the final products you purchase.
Solar powered phone chargers: This is a slightly new innovation that is growing within the tech space. I have yet to purchase one for myself, however, I aim to do so soon. Overall, these chargers are easy to carry and can be recharged anywhere that has sunlight. Click here to learn more about how solar powered chargers work and click here for a few product options.
I hope you found these tips to be helpful and useful. Would love to hear from you if you were able to utilize any of them.
Love always and forever,
Vale
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