Sustainable living is the practice of reducing your demands for Earth's natural resources
while still meeting your basic needs and promoting your wellness. There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Within this guide, we will outline 11 easy tips for the entire family.
Open those blinds and let the sunshine in using natural light instead of electricity. If electricity is required, ensure that the lights are turned off when not in use. LED lights are an excellent choice because they are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs and consume less power over time.
2.Set up a garden with herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Creating a food garden at home or in your community is a simple and effective way to reduce your environmental impact. It will also provide you with the pleasure of growing your own food - there's nothing like raiding your veggie patch for the night's dinner. You'll also appreciate the flavor of pesticide-free, truly fresh food.
Growing your own food is good for you and the environment - and it can save you money!
2. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, even if you're late. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator has numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol levels, and increased muscular strength. Taking the stairs also burns calories and helps with weight loss. In addition, because fewer people use elevators, stair use can help to reduce building energy consumption!
3. Despite global efforts to ban plastic bags, 4 trillion plastic bags are used each year, with the United States alone using 14 billion plastic bags. Only 1% of plastic bags are returned for recycling, despite these staggering figures. Remember to pack a couple of reusable shopping bags for groceries and shopping the next time you go shopping. (Tip: Keep bags in your car or near your front door so you remember to take them with you when you leave.) Don't worry if you forget your reusable bags while out shopping. Simply choose paper bags if they are available to you. Paper bags decompose in about a month, whereas plastic bags can take 10-1000 years to decompose in landfills. In the debate over whether to use paper or plastic (bags), the answer is simple: always use paper.
i. According to a Guardian study, a million plastic bottles are purchased worldwide every minute. This figure is expected to rise by 20% by 2021. This is perplexing given the abundance of reusable water bottle options available, including one that self-cleans and purifies your waterfor you. Instead of buying bottled water, try to fill up your reusable water bottle wherever you can.
4. Purchase less and purchase better by investing in sustainable clothing; premium quality and thread. For example, Fly… The Department Storeuses color-blocked leggings made from a bamboo/spandex blend that is great for working out and so comfortable that you will want to wear them all the time!
5. Create your own non-toxic cleanersand body products. DIY projects coming soon- these all-natural products work well and/or better than conventional products and are free of toxic chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances and dyes.
6. Eat less meat and go plant based! Bulk up on the produce that is locally sourced. By choosing local, you'll help reduce the carbon emissions produced by transporting goods over long distances and help support the local economy by spending your dollars on goods and services close to home. Studieshave shown that eating local food can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 50%.
7. Spend more time outside. There's nothing like being in nature. Spending time outdoors can help reduce stress and provide much-needed fresh air. According to a new study by the University of East Anglia, being exposed to greenspace lowers the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure.
8. Practice minimalism. Don't keep buying things. Utilize what you have to the fullest. Before you make a purchase, ask yourself, "Do I need this?" If not, then don't buy it! Living with less is central to both minimalism and sustainability. And both philosophies can assist us in living more fulfilling lives. According to research, one of the primary reasons why minimalism and sustainability go hand in hand is that minimalism assists us in reducing our consumption. We don't feel the need to buy as many new things when we have fewer possessions, which reduces our environmental impact. Minimalism also encourages us to make better use of what we have, which can help us reduce waste.
9. Observe Eco-Sabbath, which essentially means allowing the world/Earth to rest. Set aside thirty minutes to an hour to give yourself and the universe a break. Don't do anything - no phone, no television, no machines, no cooking, no electricity - use only natural resources. Go for a walk, breathe fresh air, and appreciate all that nature offers. A growing number of people recognize the wisdom of observing a technology shabbat, or a break from all screens. Car-free Sundayshave become popular in Bogotá, Colombia, and England's Playing Out has assisted parents in hundreds of locations in temporarily closing off local neighborhood streets to car traffic so that children can play.