The world is changing at a rapid pace. The internet and social networking sites have made the world smaller, in the sense that we are more connected than ever before. People are becoming more eco-conscious and eco-friendly practices are on the rise. Organizations like WWF, Greenpeace, Pick Ethical and others have made it their mission to spread awareness about the imminent dangers to our planet and its inhabitants. We are facing threats from deforestation, pollution of bodies of water, excessive CO2 emissions from factories as well as natural disasters triggered by climate change. Although there is still a lot to be done and we have a long way to go, people are actively taking steps towards being more eco-friendly in their day-to-day lives.
What Does It Mean To Be Eco-Friendly?
Being eco-friendly means that you are conscious of your carbon footprint. You try to consume less resources and reduce the amount of waste you create. You could go as far as to not having a houseplant if you are too afraid to kill it, or to not be able to take care of it properly. Being eco-friendly is a journey and everyone takes steps at their own pace. It does not mean that you have to stop consuming completely. It just means being smart about your choices and doing what you can to reduce your carbon footprint. There are many different ways to do that, from how you get around to what you eat. There are many benefits of being eco-friendly, which is why more and more people are gravitating towards this lifestyle. You can save money, live healthier, have more peace of mind, and be a better Earth citizen.
Don't Own A Car Or Maybe Only Drive On Sundays
The transportation sector accounts for the largest portion of CO2 emissions. And, it is expected to increase over the coming years as the world’s population grows and more people move to cities. To make a difference in the fight against climate change, reduce pollution and make your city cleaner, you can start by reducing your car usage. If you don’t own a car, you can walk or take your bike to nearby places. If you do own a car, try to drive less. Try to carpool or use public transportation. You don’t need to drive every single day or in every weather condition. It is okay to not use your car on weekends or if it is too rainy out.
Recycle Everything You Can
In the United States alone, about 34.5 million tons of trash is generated each year. Most of this trash ends up in landfills. Only about 34% of the total waste generated is recycled. Recycling is something that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. There are several different things that can be recycled. You can recycle paper, plastic, metals, and more. You can even recycle your old clothes and shoes. The best part about recycling is you can do it anywhere. Even if you don’t have a backyard or a place where you can put a compost bin, you can still recycle. When you’re grocery shopping, bring your own reusable bags. When you’re eating out, use a to-go box or reusable containers.
Eat Organic And Local Produce
One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to eat less meat. Americans eat on average 60% more meat than they did 50 years ago. This is not good as it hurts both the environment and your health. Raising animals for food is extremely resource-intensive. It requires a lot of land, water and feed, and produces large amounts of greenhouse gases. Eating fewer animals and more plant-based foods will have a positive effect on the environment. By choosing organic produce and sustainable, local produce, you will reduce your carbon footprint due to the lower emissions of CO2 necessary for their production. Eating seasonal produce is also a good way to reduce your carbon footprint. It’s less resource-intensive to grow certain produce at certain times of the year.
Go Green When Renovating Or Purchasing New Furniture And Appliances
When you are renovating or purchasing new furniture or appliances, it is important to buy greener products. There are many green certifications that you can look for when shopping for appliances and furniture. Look for the Energy Star logo for energy-efficient appliances. When renovating, you can choose to use reclaimed wood, or wood from a sustainable forest. Choosing eco-friendly materials helps reduce the amount of new construction materials needed. It is important to remember that being eco-friendly is not a one-time thing. It is a life-long journey that requires constant effort and attention to detail. As time goes on, new challenges will emerge and you will have to adapt and find new ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Conclusion
Being eco-friendly is a great way to make the world a better place and live a healthier, more conscious lifestyle. There are many ways to do so, from reducing your meat consumption to recycling paper. So, what are you waiting for? Pick a few things from this list and get started today!
