7 Simple Changes You Can Make Right Now To Help The Environment
Making the change towards more sustainable living can feel daunting. Will you have to switch to solar energy? Give up your car? Become a vegan? Of course, these big lifestyle changes are all wonderful for long-term goals, but sometimes the changes are so big and the sacrifices can seem so enormous that we just can’t seem to make any decisions at all. Fortunately, there are some small things you can do right now that can both make an immediate impact and start you on the pathway towards a more sustainable life.
Cut back on air travel
When we think of how transportation affects the environment, we generally reflect on how much pollution is emitted by cars. But, as it turns out, air travel may be even worse. The New York Times reported recently that just one round-trip flight between New York and California contributes about 20% of the greenhouse gases that the typical car emits over the span of an entire year.
So, if you’re not yet ready to get rid of your car, consider making your next vacation one that doesn’t require a flight.
If you do choose to fly, consider purchasing carbon offsets to fund environmental projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Try a green energy supplier
Switching to renewable energy doesn't have to mean installing solar panels on your home (although it can!). These days there are two easy and inexpensive ways to reduce your dependency on fossil fuels.
Your Existing Utility Company: Over 600 utilities across the US already offer customers the option to choose green power from renewables like wind and solar. The programs may have different names but they basically work the same way: the utility either generates the power with clean sources or buys renewable energy certificates from other clean energy providers. There’s typically a nominal charge for the service, but it generally works out to be no more than $10 a month for the average home. Switching is as easy as a phone call to your local utility company.
Renewable Energy Certificates: If your utility company doesn’t offer a green power option, you may be able to select a renewable energy certificate (REC) provider. An REC allows you to, in effect, buy clean energy from a provider that may be thousands of miles away. Your utility company’s website should have more information about REC options.
Compost
In just one year, the average household in New York City will dispose of 650 pounds of organic waste. Kathryn Kellogg, author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste, notes that while people often think that their organic waste will simply break down in the landfills, that’s not actually the case. Because the landfills aren’t properly aerated, all of the organic waste releases methane, which is 30 times more powerful than CO2.
For those who have even a little bit of a yard, composting is a relatively easy change to make. There are numerous online resources to show you how to create a simple compost system no matter how much space you have available. But, even if you live in the city, there are still some relatively easy ways to compost in your apartment.
Conserve Water
While clean water is a scarce resource for much of the world, those of us in Western countries often take water for granted. But, even that may change in upcoming years. England is looking at major water shortages if they don’t reduce their usage and other countries may face similar issues in the coming years.
Fortunately, there are many simple changes we can make to conserve water in our own homes including switching to showers instead of baths, checking faucets and pipes for leaks, and using a dishwasher instead of handwashing dishes.
Cut back on online purchases
If you are one of the millions of Americans who increased online purchases during the pandemic, now may be the time to cut back. Gay Brown, a personal environmental health adviser and author of “Living With a Green Heart: How to Keep Your Body, Your Home, and the Planet noted that, “Every time you order something, it has to be pulled by a human, boxed, wrapped, shipped, flown, or trucked, and delivered by more humans. Each of these people have to have used public or private transportation to get [to] their jobs and are using more transportation to get to you.”
If you must make online purchases, consider skipping the two-day option. Choosing fast shipping options means that the delivery truck may have to make an extra trip just for you.
Adjust your diet
While going vegan may feel too drastic, there are still ways that you can reduce your impact on the environment through diet.
Reduce waste: The most important thing you can do for the environment may be to reduce the amount of food your family wastes. Worldwide, people waste enough food to eliminate world hunger and still leave more than we really need. Food waste makes up the largest component of municipal solid waste. Some simple ways to reduce food waste are to buy just enough perishables, eat leftovers before they go bad, and compost.
Eat less animal products: Meat and dairy production alone account for 14.5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions — as much each year as from all cars, trucks, airplanes, and ships combined. While cutting animal products completely out of your diet may feel too difficult, there are some changes you can make which will still have a positive impact on the environment without feeling too drastic. Consider choosing one day of the week in which to avoid animal products, switch out a few meat meals with plant-based alternatives, or do weekly take-out from a local vegetarian or vegan restaurant.
Reduce your dependence on plastic items.
At the rate at which plastic is accumulating, it’s predicted that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans. This is particularly devastating to marine life. Ocean animals are vulnerable to becoming entangled in or digesting plastics, both of which are potentially lethal. Even microscopic creatures, which are the basis of the entire marine food web, are in danger of consuming tiny bits of plastic. In fact, there is growing evidence that plastics play a role in rising rates of species extinctions.
Unfortunately, recycling won’t do much to change the situation. Despite the good intentions of consumers, less than 10 percent of plastic has ever been recycled.
The best way to keep plastic out of landfills is to use as little of it as possible. The Green Education Foundation lists some practical ways to reduce your plastic waste.
Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw
Use a reusable produce bag. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade. Purchase or make your own reusable produce bag and be sure to wash them often!
Give up gum. Gum is made of a synthetic rubber, aka plastic.
Buy boxes instead of bottles. Often, products like laundry detergent come in cardboard which is more easily recycled than plastic.
Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk bins and fill a reusable bag or container. You save money and unnecessary packaging.
Reuse containers for storing leftovers or shopping in bulk.
Use a reusable bottle or mug for your beverages, even when ordering from a to-go shop
Bring your own container for take-out or your restaurant doggy-bag since many restaurants use styrofoam.
Use matches instead of disposable plastic lighters or invest in a refillable metal lighter.
Avoid buying frozen foods because their packaging is mostly plastic. Even those that appear to be cardboard are coated in a thin layer of plastic. Plus you'll be eating fewer processed foods!
Don't use plasticware at home and be sure to request restaurants do not pack them in your take-out box.
Ask your local grocer to take your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.) back. If you shop at a farmers market they can refill it for you.
The EPA estimates that 7.6 billion pounds of disposable diapers are discarded in the US each year. Use cloth diapers to reduce your baby's carbon footprint and save money.
Make fresh squeezed juice or eat fruit instead of buying juice in plastic bottles. It's healthier and better for the environment.
Make your own cleaning products that will be less toxic and eliminate the need for multiple plastic bottles of cleaner.
Pack your lunch in reusable containers and bags. Also, opt for fresh fruits and veggies and bulk items instead of products that come in single-serving cups.
Use a razor with replaceable blades instead of a disposable razor