Today, we celebrate Earth and explore the many ways we can ensure her health for generations to come. While big, bold, global actions are needed that are outside many of our hands, we can move the needle in our personal lives bit by bit. In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the best things you can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Reduce your waste
Reducing your waste is one of the most effective ways to live a sustainable lifestyle. Start by saying no to single-use plastics such as straws, bags, and bottles. Opt for reusable alternatives instead. You can also recycle your waste properly and compost food waste.
- Conserve water
Water is a valuable resource, and we all should be mindful of our usage. Simple actions, such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaky faucets, and using a bucket to catch excess water, will help conserve water and may even reduce your bills.
- Use energy-efficient appliances
Energy-efficient appliances are designed to save energy and reduce your bills. Choose appliances that have an Energy Star label, which means they’re approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Drive less, bike, walk or use public transportation
Transportation is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions. Consider reducing your driving, cycling, walking, or taking public transportation like buses or trains. You can also consider carpooling to reduce your carbon footprint. If you haven’t already, it might be time to pick up an e-bike or electric vehicle to limit your carbon footprint when you have to drive.
- Buy local and organic food
Buying locally and organically grown food not only supports your local community but also helps the environment. When you buy local produce, it cuts down on the carbon footprint required to transport food from overseas. It’s also better for your body, because you’ll vary the foods you eat with the seasons, setting your metabolic health up for success year-round.
- Buy nothing non-essential for 30 days
You may already initiate an annual detox cleanse for your body, but what about your purchasing habits? It could be time for a buying cleanse. Several sustainability advocates champion buying nothing for 30 days once, twice, or even 4 times a year. This habit gets you thinking more about consuming less. You can still buy used, shop freecycle pages, and trade, but you’re buying nothing that isn’t essential new. This can be a great way to initiate a conversation about consumption with your kids too!
- Plant trees
Planting trees is an excellent way to increase the number of living plants in the environment and to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. You can plant trees in your local area, or support organizations that plant trees. We like Hank Dearden’s Forest Planet, featured in this episode of Care More Be Better.
These are just some of the big rocks you can move in your daily life to live more sustainably. Start with the small changes you make in your daily routine, adjust, and fine tune as you go. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to integrate greener living into your everyday. So, let’s celebrate Earth Day, and make a conscious effort to protect our planet every day.
