What can be more devastating than watching how human actions harm the environment surrounding us?
Luckily, today’s generation is one of the most eco-aware. We see people making conscious efforts to consume less, reuse more, and reduce their carbon footprint.
However, in the hustle-bustle of life, many of us often tend to overlook our environment and its fragility.
And that’s why we should understand how to take care of the environment around us.
In this article, I’ll share my experience on how to back to nature and help protect it for future generations.
1) Reduce, reuse and recycle
To be honest, it hasn’t been long since I realized I needed to take part in protecting our environment.
In fact, I used to find it funny when my friend would stress me out with his concerns about the environment.
But then, one day, I was at a restaurant and saw a group of people completely covering their table with paper napkins. I was shocked because they had already used five napkins in just a few minutes!
I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about what would happen if everyone on our planet behaved like them.
How would we face the issue of deforestation? Where would we find the resources to produce more paper?
And what if everything is thrown into the ocean? Wouldn’t that be an environmental disaster?
That’s when I realized how important it is to reduce, reuse and recycle.
What do I mean here?
Well, in short, you should try to reduce the amount of waste you produce in order to reduce the pressure on our planet.
You should also reuse things that would otherwise be thrown away.
And finally, if you can’t reuse them, recycle them.
And guess what?
It’s not only good for nature but also for our pockets because it helps you save money.
The only problem here is how you can actually reduce, reuse and recycle.
I mean, I’ve been trying to do it for years, but I always end up throwing away more stuff than I actually reuse.
Well, here’s my advice.
Firstly, try to reduce the amount of waste you produce. For instance, you can start by cutting out a few plastic bags every time you go shopping.
Also, try to replace your paper towels with reusable towels made of microfiber or bamboo fibers.
And instead of buying bottled water in the supermarket just take a bottle from home and refill it at one of the many fountains in your city or university.
Secondly, if you can’t use something again or recycle it (and really want to get rid of it), donate it to someone who could use it.
For example, if you have old clothes that have served their purpose and are no longer wearable then give them away to someone who needs them.
Or if some furniture is no longer needed in your house but is still in good condition then give it away to someone else who could use it too.
This way you’ll help other people save money as well! And they will thank you for that!
Here are some tips to help you start:
Reduce
Cut down on the amount you consume.
Reduce your meat intake (or even go vegan), reduce your energy consumption, and reduce the amount of water you use.
This will help reduce your carbon footprint and will make a huge difference.
Reuse
There is a line between being frugal and being careless.
Make sure you don’t cross that line. Always ensure that you are reusing your items whenever possible.
Don’t throw away old clothes, repurpose your furniture or repaint old items. This will reduce your carbon footprint too.
Stop buying things that you don’t need!
Think twice before buying something new or second-hand.
You can always find a way to make do without it. In fact, there are many websites like Craigslist where you can find many interesting things for free!
Recycle
Make sure you are recycling all your waste. Recycling is one of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing your carbon footprint.
That way, you’ll take the first step forward to take care of the environment.
2) Don’t litter, be aware of your food choices
Have you ever littered with intention?
I bet you have.
If you’re like most people, you have probably littered at least once in your life.
As a matter of fact, 75% of people have admitted that they have littered at least once in the past 5 years. And the majority of them are 18-34 years old.
What’s more, the average person has littered at least once a month. And most of them are not aware of it!
But why do we litter, when we know that it is bad for the environment?
There are many reasons for that.
First and foremost, littering is bad for the environment and it is illegal in most countries. But people still do it because they think no one will see them or they will get away with it.
Many people litter because they don’t want to carry their trash away from the place where they have consumed their food or drinks.
Or because they think that someone else will take care of it. Or even because they just don’t care!
But let me ask you a question:
Are you aware of how toxic materials and chemicals get into the environment?
Well, it starts with you.
Each time you litter, you are adding to the problem.
Each time you throw away a plastic bag or bottle without taking the time to recycle it, you are adding to the problem.
And each time you choose not to care about the environment and make an environmentally unfriendly choice, you are adding to the problem.
In fact, our planet is facing many problems right now because of this lack of care and attention.
Our forests are being destroyed by logging and mining companies.
Our oceans are polluted by oil spills, toxic waste, and plastic bags that find their way into them from our trash dump on land.
And our air quality is getting worse as we continue to burn fossil fuels for energy and release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.
So how can we help?
But what can you do about this? How can you avoid this bad habit? How can you make sure that you aren’t the one to leave your trash behind?
First, you need to realize this:
Littering is one of the worst things you can do to the environment.
Make sure you always carry a trash bag with you and don’t litter at all.
Also, avoid using disposable plastic items as they are non-biodegradable and will be around for hundreds of years.
Be extremely careful with your food choices and make healthy and eco-friendly choices.
For example, eating grain-fed beef is one of the worst things you can do for the environment. Make sure you are making conscious food choices to avoid doing harm to nature.
And you know what else?
There is an easy way you can change that: educate people and make them understand that littering is bad for the environment.
It’s not just about keeping the city clean but it’s also about making sure that we preserve our wildlife, our planet, and ourselves for future generations.
Well, we can all make small changes in our lives that will have a huge impact on the world around us.
3) Purchase second-hand clothes
Believe it or not, there is an eco-friendly fashion choice that is practiced by many people around the world.
And it’s not just about wearing clothes that are made of organic cotton, but it’s also about buying second-hand clothes.
How does this work?
Well, an academic society thinks that the purchase of second-hand clothes can be considered a sustainable fashion choice.
The reason is simple: when you buy second-hand clothes, you don’t use any new materials in the manufacturing process and you don’t create any new waste.
When you purchase second-hand clothes, the only waste that is produced is what’s left from the previous owner of the clothes.
And since most people are willing to sell their old clothes for a few bucks, there is almost no waste involved in this process.
The thing is that while most people think that wearing used clothes is a bad idea, it’s actually a great way to reduce your carbon footprint on the planet and help save the environment too.
Now, before you start thinking this is crazy, let me tell you why buying second-hand clothes is a good idea:
You can save money by not having to buy new clothes all the time.
Instead of spending money on buying expensive new outfits, you can spend money on other things that are more useful and more important to you.
Think about how much money you could save if you didn’t have to buy new clothes every time they wore out or got dirty.
You can help reduce waste and pollution in landfills. Every year millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills because people don’t want them anymore or they don’t fit right anymore or they just don’t like them anymore.
Buying second-hand clothing would mean that less clothing would end up in landfills and would therefore be reused instead of being thrown away.
You will be able to get stylish outfits for a fraction of their original cost because most second-hand stores sell their items at 50% off the retail price!
4) Reduce your carbon footprint
Okay, I’m sure you’ve heard the advice to reduce your carbon footprint before.
But have you ever stopped to think about what that really means?
The truth is that if you want to live a more sustainable lifestyle, then you need to understand what your carbon footprint is and how to reduce it.
What is your carbon footprint?
The term carbon footprint has become a very popular way of describing the number of greenhouse gasses that are produced by human activities every year.
In other words, it’s the amount of carbon dioxide that we produce when we burn fossil fuels or when we use any kind of energy.
And since most of our energy comes from fossil fuels, our carbon footprint is growing every year.
As a matter of fact, the global carbon footprint has drastically increased in recent decades. In particular, carbon emissions have increased by 90% since 1970, based on the Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data.
The problem with the ever-growing carbon footprint is that all these greenhouse gasses are trapping heat in the atmosphere and causing global warming.
And if this trend continues, then one day we will have a planet where temperatures are so high that it will be impossible for humans to survive on it anymore.
So as you can see, reducing your carbon footprint can help save us from this horrible future! So how do you reduce your own carbon footprint?
Well, there are many ways to do so:
You can start using renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels (like coal or oil).
You can start living without owning a car or doing things like riding your bike or taking public transportation instead of driving wherever you go.
You can also try eating less meat because producing meat requires a lot more resources than producing other types of food such as vegetables and fruits.
I know it’s not easy. Even more, I’m sure this will be your biggest challenge.
But to reduce your carbon footprint, you need to look at your lifestyle and find ways to reduce your environmental impact as much as possible.
Still, it’s not as hard as you might think.
All you really have to do is reduce your dependence on fossil fuels and find alternative sources of energy.
Of course, most people don’t want to give up their cars and heat their homes with wood anymore.
But here’s what you should do:
Use public transport instead of your car whenever possible. Carpooling is also another great option for reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
If possible, ask your employer to offer free public transport services for employees, as well as facilities like bicycle parking lots and showers.
In that way, they can commute easily and quickly on days when they don’t have time to go home first before reporting to work.
5) Take care of your water footprint
While carbon footprint is a term everyone has heard of, most people haven’t heard of the term water footprint.
But do you know about your “water footprint”?
A water footprint is a measure of how much water is used by an individual, organization, or product.
It’s the amount of water needed to produce a certain product or service.
For example, if you buy a pair of shoes, they will have their own water footprint.
That means that the production process of that pair of shoes required a certain amount of water to be used in the making process.
The concept was developed by Arjen Hoekstra, a professor at the University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands.
According to him: “In a water-scarce world it makes no sense to use more than what is needed.”
So, another way to care for the environment is to cut down on your water footprint.
Here are some things you can do:
Avoid using products that use a lot of water to make.
For example, avoid buying bottled water and choose tap water instead. Also, avoid buying any product that is wrapped in plastic because it takes a lot of water to produce plastic.
If you have a garden or plant trees, make sure that they get enough water so they can grow well and give back to the environment by producing oxygen for everyone.
6) Plant more trees
This one is definitely easier than the previous suggestions, but one of the most important things you can do to save our environment from global warming.
Trees are the lungs of the planet and are essential for creating a clean and healthy environment for us to live in.
Cutting down trees to make space for new buildings is one of the biggest man-made mistakes in human history.
Whenever you have the chance, plant more trees.
This will help clean the air, reduce global warming, and will make a huge difference.
If you are living in a city and don’t have a garden, find a nearby park and plant a tree there.
Why?
Because trees play an important role in helping to reduce carbon emissions in the environment.
In fact, trees suck up carbon dioxide from the air, which helps slow down global warming. In addition, trees can also help prevent erosion of soil, reduce pollution and increase biodiversity in forests.
This means that planting more trees is one of the best ways to mitigate climate change around the world.
So how can you help spread this message?
Just go to your local nursery and buy some tree seeds. Then, plant them in your garden or in a nearby park.
And that’s it!
While it doesn’t require much effort and energy, it’s not a lie that even one tree can make a huge difference in the world.
So, if you are looking for a simple and effective way to help save our environment from global warming, planting trees is definitely one of the best things you can do.
7) Turn off lights when not needed
If you live in a city and have street lights outside your house or apartment, turn them off when you are not using them.
This will save energy and will also help reduce global warming.
Keep in mind that turning off lights when not needed, even for a few minutes, can make a difference in the long run.
If everyone does this around the world, it will definitely help reduce global warming and climate change.
So why don’t you do it today?
The truth is that conserving energy and using renewable sources of energy is one of the best ways to reduce global warming.
This is not just because it will help save the environment, but also because it can help save you money in the long run.
That’s why you should always try to conserve energy at home, at work, and in your daily activities.
For example, whenever you have the chance, turn off lights when not needed and unplug electronic devices when they are not being used.
In addition, use energy-efficient light bulbs and make sure that your electronic devices are turned off when not in use.
This will help reduce electricity bills and prevent greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
So, if you are living in a city, switch to a renewable energy plan by your utility provider.
This will help you save money on your electricity bills and will also help reduce your carbon footprint.
You can also conserve energy by making sure your home is properly insulated, turning off lights when you aren’t using them, and using energy-efficient appliances.
8) Go vegan or vegetarian
Have you ever thought about how much meat you consume every day?
In general, meat products take up a lot of space in your fridge and can also be expensive.
For example, it’s not uncommon for a family to spend hundreds of dollars on meat every week.
And that’s not even counting the cost of transportation and refrigeration!
But what if I told you that there is another way to enjoy delicious food without spending a fortune?
Well, there is! And it’s called veganism.
I know you’ve heard about it just like me but sometimes it’s hard to actually believe how much our environment can benefit even if a single person stops consuming meat.
Let me elaborate on that.
Meat production is responsible for about 15% of greenhouse gas emissions. And this is a huge number!
So if you want to do something about global warming, try reducing your meat consumption.
There are many ways to achieve this goal: Choose to eat less meat by preparing hearty meals with vegetables instead of meat.
For example, one pound of beef requires almost 1,500 gallons of water to produce, while half a pound of tofu only needs 100 gallons.
Even better: go vegetarian!
Choose fruits and vegetables instead or replace red meats with chicken or fish whenever possible.
If you must have red meat, then make sure that you choose lean cuts and look for grass-fed beef as opposed to factory-farmed beef.
So, try to go vegan and avoid eating meat, eggs, and dairy products.
This will help reduce your carbon footprint and will help save many, many animals from being slaughtered.
9) Stop using plastic
And finally, in order to care for the environment, you need to stop using plastic.
Plastic is not biodegradable and it takes hundreds of years to break down in landfills.
All around the world, animals are dying because they ingest plastic or get tangled in it.
In fact, a recent study has shown that 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs.
I know it sounds scary, but that’s the fact!
What does it mean?
It means that if you want to save the planet, then you need to stop using plastic as much as possible!
Luckily, there are many alternatives such as reusable shopping bags made from hemp or cotton.
These bags are a lot stronger than the ones you get from supermarkets and can last for up to 10 years.
And if you don’t want to use them for shopping then there’s another great alternative: cloth bags!
These don’t take up much space and are easy to fold and store when you aren’t using them. You can even turn them into something useful, like a drawstring bag or even a purse!
So if you want to save our planet and take care of the environment, then make sure that you stop using plastic wherever possible!
Final thoughts
I hope that I managed to make you think about the importance of taking care of the environment once again.
Yes, it is high time we made an effort towards caring for our environment by taking steps that help reverse the negative impact of man on nature.
So, never forget that the world is a delicate place where the smallest changes can have the largest effects.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be doing a great thing for the planet. Not only will you be helping reduce global warming, but you’ll also be helping wildlife survive.
