It’s our job to protect the Earth, and eco-friendly living is one way to pay our planet back. Pollution and deforestation are on the rise, threatening major habitats and wildlife. Human waste accounts for 3 to 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, the radiant energy responsible for climate change.
On a more personal level, the average human being produces 4 pounds of garbage each day. That’s 1.5 tons of solid waste every year.
Are you ready to make a difference? Follow these three tips to become a more eco-conscious and environmentally friendly household.
Eat Less Meat
Vegetarianism and veganism are often thought of health-based diets, but they’re also good for the environment. Global meat production is projected to rise to 502 million tons by 2050. Twenty percent of the Earth’s natural pastures have been destroyed by livestock, and the problem is only going to get worse.
Eating less meat helps preserve the land and reduce harmful CO2 emissions. Have you heard the popular statement that cows contribute to global warming? There’s a bit more to it than that, but long story short, the expansion of livestock and mass-production of farming are doing far more harm for the environment than good.
Stop Using Plastic Bags
The world’s oceans are filled with plastic. In fact, up to 12.7 tons make their way into our planet’s oceans every year. Even if you recycle, 91 percent of the plastic won’t be.
Since plastic takes 400 years to degrade on its own, that soda bottle you’re drinking or bags you throw out after toting your groceries home make a bigger impact than you could ever imagine.
To start cutting back in your day-to-day life, skip the plastic bags at checkout and tote your groceries home in a washable canvas bag. Tote bags can also be used to carry books, move laundry and do a variety of other chores.
Use Cloth Instead of Paper Towels
Kitchen rags and even scrap cloth from a recycled old t-shirt can save you money on paper towels and eliminate unnecessary waste. User coasters instead of napkins to protect furniture, and seek to reduce your home paper waste by looking for washable, sustainable alternatives to everyday items.
Look for as many opportunities as you can to reduce waste and change the little things to be more eco-friendly. Bring your lunch to work instead of eating out. Borrow instead of buy when you can and research easy ways to repurpose household items so you can keep more money in your wallet and give back to the environment. Invest in energy and resource saving tech and services like solar panel installation and public transportation passes. It’s all the little things that will add up to big changes in your life. You can go green if you really try!