Climate change is one of the most pressing topics in recent years. Obviously, addressing it should be a collaborative effort among the government, private corporations, and individuals. Nonetheless, there are a lot of things that we can do to help reduce the harm we do to the environment. Below is a short list of some simple ways that you can be more eco-friendly.
Eating Less Meat
The meat industry harms the environment in many ways, including the clearing of forests to grow the crops and grains to feed livestock. There’s also the issue of overgrazing, which results in soil depletion. Animal agriculture is also a significant contributor to global methane emissions. This is not to say that you should go completely vegetarian or vegan. Instead, you might want to minimise the amount of meat you consume. Not only will you be healthier, you will also reduce your carbon footprint. One easy way to do this is to allocate one or two days when you’ll not eat meat and other animal byproducts.
Measuring Before Boiling
Water is a precious resource, and you may be unknowingly wasting it when you boil water for cooking or preparing beverages. Boiling a kettle of water uses a lot of energy; even if you’re using an energy-efficient electric kettle, you might still be putting too much water to boil for one mug of tea. To prevent this waste of water, simply measure the amount of water you need for one hot drink or a pot of pasta. Don’t “guesstimate.” If you plan on drinking hot beverages throughout the day, you might want to invest on an insulated carafe or pump pot.
Hiring a Rubbish Removal Company
Are you renovating your home or getting rid of clutter? It’s best to hire a local rubbish removal company. This is to ensure that everything you’re throwing away is properly disposed. From old and broken appliances to left-over paint and chemicals, a reliable rubbish removal contractor will make sure that your place is tidied up. More than that, they’ll ensure that as little waste as possible goes to landfills and a good amount is instead reused or recycled.
Shopping Less Online
Online shopping is convenient, but it’s also harming the environment. The packaging alone results in tonnes of plastic waste. Meanwhile, delivery vehicles are increasing the amount of harmful emissions in the air. To be fair, there are plenty of environment-friendly moves by online retailers and e-commerce companies like the use of sustainable packaging. Still, if you can, try to shop less online. And while you’re shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, make sure to bring your own eco-friendly and reusable bags.
Opening Your Windows
Letting natural light in can help you save a ton in electricity bills. Opening your windows during the summer can also let the breeze in and help cool your home. Meanwhile, during colder seasons (when you don’t need a heater), opening your windows can actually help you retain more heat. Make sure to properly insulate your home as well so you don’t rely too much on your heater or air-conditioner.
Unplugging Appliances
We already know about turning off lights and other appliances when they’re not in use. However, to take it up a notch, it’s actually better to unplug them to save even more power. When you leave them plugged in, appliances actually use what’s called “phantom energy.” These include TVs, modems and WiFi routers, and even microwave ovens. To help further lower your energy consumption, unplug your appliances if you’re not going to use them and especially if you’re leaving for more than a day. For something more convenient, you can buy power strips that have switches on them.
Composting
Some people think that composting requires a lot of space, but that just isn’t true. Even a small composting bin with a proper lid can do the trick. If you don’t think you can maintain the habit, you can check around your neighbourhood if there are those who do compost. The thing about disposing biodegradable materials is that they also end up in landfills. If you compost instead, you’ll help reduce the amount of waste that goes into these disposal sites. For those who don’t have gardens but still want to compost, you can donate the product to farmers and gardeners.
Reversing the effects of climate change can take a long time. If we don’t start today, though, then it will take even longer. Start small. These simple habits can lead to big results, especially if more people do it consistently.
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