More than 95% of the world is polluted, with most of the population breathing unsafe air, leaving many sick and their surroundings withering away. Just last year, all the world’s nations combined produced over 38 billion tons of carbon dioxide that was released into the air due to the burning of fossil fuels like oil and coal.
Although governments and corporations should step in and address the issue, they shouldn’t bear all the responsibility of maintaining the environment. Everyone should do their part to reduce their carbon footprint to make the planet cleaner, safer, and healthier for all walks of life.
Here are the eight ways you can care for the environment and live responsibly.
Upcycling
When you have things that are no longer working or deem unimportant, instead of throwing them away, be creative, and transform them into something you can reuse or have them repaired. Doing this reduces the need to produce raw materials, which reduces air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a safer environment. So, have your old furniture, appliances, or garage door repaired instead of always buying new ones.
Conserve Water
Turning off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth is a perfect example of a small thing that can make a big difference. Conserving water allows you to save gallons of water every day and help out the environment. That’s because water requires a lot of energy to get cleaned and delivered to your doorstep.
Use Reusable Bags
Plastic grocery bags usually end up in landfills or stuck in different parts of the environment, which can suffocate animals or generally place adverse effects on the surroundings as they take a millennium to decompose. Whether you’re grocery shopping for food or having a shopping spree, use a reusable bag or ask if they have any paper bags instead.
Shop Virtually and Responsibly
Ditch using your car and shop virtually. Doing this lessens your carbon footprint significantly. However, remember to avoid rushed shipping and buy items in bulk to keep shipments to a minimum. It’s also wise to support brands that use eco-friendly packaging.
Walk it Off
Walking on your two feet is more energy-efficient than driving on four or two wheels. Although walking isn’t a viable option when traveling long distances, as long as your route is local, sneak in more foot action in your routine and lessen your carbon footprint in the process while staying fit.
Embrace Leftovers
Americans throw out over 130 billion pounds of food every year, and these usually end up in landfills, producing a toxic greenhouse gas called methane that can be destructive over time. So, instead of tossing them in the bin, breathe new life into these old meals.
Grow a Garden at Home
When you grow your food at home without using chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, you’ll be sparing the planet from air and water pollution. Plus, you’ll be eating healthier, allowing you to live healthy and happy alongside a growing environment. If you live in an apartment or condo complex, you can grow herbs on your windowsills or vegetables in indoor planters.
Save the Trees
Every year, Americans waste over 15 billion pounds of wood-related items, including paper towels and tissues, which significantly impacts the world’s tree population. You can fight for the planet and save the trees by using recycled wood products or using old clothes for cleaning up countertops.
These methods are some of the less obvious but no less critical environmentally-friendly habits that you should incorporate into your routines—allowing you to take care of the environment while living responsibly.
