Tips to Living a More Environmentally Conscious Lifestyle
It’s easier now, more than ever to witness the devastating impact of climate change on our planet. As we become more aware of the human impact on our natural world, many of us recognize that we must do something. People are adopting more environmentally conscious lifestyles faster than ever.
The way we live our daily lives has a massive impact on the future of the planet. Adopting sustainable practices is essential in our rapidly evolving society. Thankfully, businesses and people around the world are starting to realize how crucial it is to be environmentally conscious.
The reality is, most people want to go green, but they don’t know where to start. Food supply systems, consumer behavior, and significant lifestyle changes are daunting undertakings. It’s hard to take the initial step. But once you start making these changes, you will get into a rhythm that works for you.
Being eco-conscious is subjective, and it means something different to everyone. This broad term describes many different behaviors and general rules of thumb. To help you get started, we’ve come up with a few ways that you can be more sustainable in daily life:
Consider a Plant-Based Diet
Switching from a meat-based diet to one that’s focused on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, is one of the best lifestyle changes you can make. Not only will you significantly reduce your carbon footprint, but you will also be prioritizing your health!
The meat industry is single-handedly responsible for major deforestation, pollution, water consumption, land use, and destruction of topsoil. One kilo of beef consumes almost 15,000 liters of water, while a kilo of wheat uses ten times less.
The United Nations now urges individuals to eat a plant-based diet, which they claim is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. By cutting down on your meat intake, you’ll be joining the global struggle against climate change. Fewer customers buying their product will send a clear message to the meat and dairy industries.
Eat Local
Buying local produce that’s fresh and in season is another incredible move to being more sustainable. Support your local farmers’ market. Low-scale agriculture tends to be kinder to the planet and the environment. Buy apples from a neighboring farm, for example. Be sure to check your foods’ country of origin as well, to get an idea of how far things have come to get to you.
It’s equally as important to eat produce that’s in season. It requires a significant amount of energy to fake the weather conditions necessary to grow vegetables and fruits out of season.
Eating local is better for your body and your soul. It’s an easy, eco-friendly habit to adopt. Enjoy sustainable gastronomy and visit farm-to-table restaurants in your area (when they open, of course). If you’re planning on hosting a big event in the future, like a wedding, ask the caterer to plan a menu based around seasonal ingredients!
Go Package Free
You’ve likely heard of the plastic-straw bans in the effort to save sea turtles. Plastic contributes not only to greenhouse gases, but it also takes years to biodegrade. Consuming less plastic is central to environmental consciousness.
Now you can find many zero-waste shops where you can buy unpackaged foods. You bring your own containers and pay per-weight. If you do find yourself buying something with plastic packaging, reuse or recycle the container.
Shop Sustainably
Fast fashion is one thing that every environmentally conscious individual has to kick to the curb. While this clothing consumption trend is convenient for consumers, it’s far from sustainable. Many of the items that you buy from ‘fast-fashion’ retailers will only last a year.
These clothes are cheap, and they last for a season or so, which is why they’re so enticing for fashion-lovers. When it comes to ethical shopping, the price tags can be daunting. That said, an increasing number of brands are becoming greener in their production.
Companies like Pact, Boden, Everlane, and Tentree are focused around ethical, sustainable, and affordable fashion. The products are made from quality materials so you can wear them for longer. Even if you have to spend a bit more than you’re used to, the investment will pay off in the long run.
Save Energy and Travel Smart
When you’re at home, try to save energy by turning off the lights and being conscious of water consumption. Some energy-saving habits include turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, choosing to line-dry clothes, and driving less.
If you live in a city with decent public transportation, you don’t need a car. If you have to run errands or take a road trip, it’s more economical and eco-friendly to rent a car. Check out Globe Car & Truck Rental in Montreal, and you’ll see that there are many options for small vehicles with better gas mileage.
The distance that you drive is a massive implication of your carbon footprint. If you reduce the amount that you drive by 5,000 miles, you save more than a ton of CO2.
Make The Change
The world is currently in a race against climate change. Every person has a role to play in the future of the natural world. By adopting small lifestyle changes, you can separate yourself from systems that are destroying forests and oceans around the world.
Written by Ashley Lipman for The Blog Frog.
