Clifton Kopp
Our planet needs our help, and it’s time to step up.
But don’t worry!
Being kind to Earth doesn’t mean you need to make big changes.
It’s about doing small, easy things that make a big difference.
So, if you want to help our planet, here are nine things you can do.
1. Say No to Single-Use Plastic
Let’s start with something simple, yet hugely effective – ditching single-use plastic.
People who love the planet don’t use plastic just once and throw it away.
They’ve made a conscious decision to avoid products that can only be used once and then take hundreds of years to decompose.
This means saying goodbye to items like disposable cutlery, plastic water bottles, shopping bags, and yes, even those pesky straws that come with our drinks!
Instead, they use reusable alternatives.
They carry their own shopping bags made of cloth or other durable materials.
They drink from reusable water bottles and bring their own coffee cups when they grab a latte from their favorite café.
And they’ve switched to metal or bamboo straws that can be washed and used over and over again.
Not only does this habit save money in the long run (because you’re not constantly buying new plastic items), it also helps keep harmful plastic out of our oceans and landfills.
2. Eat Less Meat
Another habit of people who love the planet is eating less meat.
Did you know that farming animals for meat produces a lot of harmful gases?
That’s right, it’s a big source of carbon dioxide and methane, which are major players in climate change.
That’s why some people are choosing to eat less meat or not eating meat at all.
This might seem tough, especially if you’re used to having meat at every meal.
But it’s not about going completely vegetarian or vegan overnight (unless you want to, of course!).
You can start small – like having one day a week without meat.
You might have heard of “Meatless Mondays”.
It’s a simple idea where you just eat vegetarian or vegan food on Mondays.
You could also try swapping out a few meals each week for plant-based alternatives.
The great thing is, there are so many tasty vegetarian and vegan foods out there now.
So you won’t be missing out on delicious meals.
3. Make Compost
One habit I’ve adopted to show my love for the planet is making compost at home.
When I first learned about composting, I thought it would be complicated and messy.
But it’s actually quite simple and clean, and it’s incredibly beneficial to the environment!
Composting is a natural process that turns our kitchen and garden waste into a rich, dark soil conditioner.
I started by setting up a small compost bin in my backyard. Every day, I add my kitchen scraps like fruit peels, vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds, and even eggshells into it.
Over time, these scraps break down into compost, which I then use to feed my plants and improve the soil in my garden. It’s like giving back to nature what came from it.
This practice reduces the amount of waste going into landfills and eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers which can harm our environment.
4. Save Water
Another habit of people who love the planet is being mindful about water usage.
They understand that water isn’t an infinite resource and try their best to conserve it wherever possible.
Did you know that a running faucet can use up to 2.5 gallons of water per minute?
That’s a lot of water going down the drain! So, planet lovers make sure to turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth or scrubbing dishes.
They also try to take shorter showers. A 10-minute shower can use up to 25 gallons of water! Cutting down your shower time by just a few minutes can save hundreds of gallons over a year.
Planet lovers also fix leaky faucets promptly. A slow drip might not seem like much, but it can waste up to 3,000 gallons a year!
By adopting these simple habits, we can all help conserve this precious resource and show our love for Mother Earth.
5. Use Public Transport
People who truly love the planet often make the heartwarming choice to use public transport, cycle, or walk whenever they can.
They understand that every car journey adds to the pollution in our air and contributes to climate change.
So, they choose to leave their cars at home and use buses, trains, or trams instead.
Think about it: a bus might use more fuel than a car, but it carries a lot more people. So, the pollution per person is a lot less.
And walking or cycling? Well, that doesn’t cause any pollution at all!
Choosing public transport over personal vehicles whenever possible isn’t just an eco-friendly habit, it’s also an act of kindness. It’s a commitment to share our journeys with others, to take up less space on the roads, and to reduce the pollution that affects us all.
6. Recycle & Reuse
One habit I’ve embraced wholeheartedly to show my love for the planet is recycling and reusing. It’s really simple – instead of throwing things away after using them once, I try to find ways to use them again.
I have separate bins at home for paper, plastic, metal, and glass. Once they’re full, I take them to the local recycling center. But recycling is just part of the story. What really gets me excited is finding creative ways to reuse things – a process also known as upcycling.
Here’s one of my favorite examples: Last year, I found an old wooden ladder in a thrift shop. Instead of seeing it as something ready for the scrap heap, I saw potential! With a little bit of cleaning and some simple DIY work, that old ladder is now a charming bookshelf in my living room.
Not only did I prevent the ladder from ending up in a landfill, but I also saved money by not buying a brand-new bookshelf. Plus, it’s a unique piece that adds character to my home!
So next time before you throw something away, take a moment to think: Can this be recycled? Or even better: Can this be reused in a creative way? You’ll be surprised by what you can come up with!
7. Plant Trees & Garden
Our planet is hurting. Climate change is doing serious damage, and one of the biggest culprits is CO2 – carbon dioxide. But you know who loves CO2? Trees! They breathe it in and give us oxygen in return.
So, what can we do? Plant more trees! People who genuinely love the planet understand this. They embrace the dirt under their fingernails, the sweat on their brow, and the joy of watching something grow. They get out there and they plant trees – in their backyards, in public spaces, anywhere they can.
And it’s not just about trees. Many of these earth lovers also have gardens where they grow their own vegetables and herbs.
When you think about it, it’s actually pretty cool. You plant something tiny like a seed or a bulb, give it some care, and after a while, you get food! Delicious, fresh food that hasn’t had to travel hundreds of miles to get to your plate.
Growing your own food reduces waste from packaging and cuts down on transport emissions. It’s one of the most direct ways you can help our planet – and you get some tasty veggies out of it too!
8. Use Less Energy
One of the ways I show my love for our planet is by being mindful about my energy use. It’s something that’s easy to overlook, but small changes can make a big difference.
For example, I’ve made it a habit to turn off the lights whenever I leave a room. It’s such a simple thing, but it really adds up over time. The same goes for unplugging devices when they’re fully charged. Did you know that your phone charger still uses energy even if your phone isn’t plugged in? I didn’t, until I started learning more about energy conservation!
I’ve also switched to energy-efficient light bulbs in my home. They last longer and use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. And yes, they might be more expensive upfront, but they save money in the long run because they last so much longer and use less electricity.
Being aware of how much energy we use and finding ways to reduce it is a simple yet effective way to help our planet. It’s something we can all do in our daily lives, starting right now.
9. Spreading Awareness
Let’s be brutally honest: our planet is in trouble. It’s getting hotter, seas are rising, and species are going extinct. If we continue down this path, the future looks grim. But here’s the thing – it’s not too late to change. We still have time to turn things around. And one of the most powerful ways we can do this is by spreading awareness.
People who genuinely love our planet understand this. They aren’t just content with making changes in their own lives – they want to inspire others to do the same. They talk about environmental issues with their friends and family. They share articles on social media. They attend climate rallies and protests. They vote for politicians who take climate change seriously.
Raising awareness about the state of our planet might feel uncomfortable at times. It might even feel like you’re being ‘that person’ – the one who brings up climate change at a family gathering or posts about it on Facebook. But here’s the reality – we need more people like that.
We need more people who are willing to speak up and stand up for our planet. Because the more people know about what’s happening, the more likely they are to take action.
So don’t be afraid to use your voice. Talk about climate change. Share your eco-friendly habits with others. Encourage them to make changes too. Together, we can make a difference.
