10 Ways to Live A More Sustainable Life
Let’s be honest…You can’t be harmless to the planet! If you are eating, moving, wearing clothes, or using any electrical device — the planet suffers from it. The only thing we can do is — decrease the impact and provide a good example to others.
Save the resources
Every human action requires resources. There are two kinds of resources on planet Earth:
- finite (oil, coal, natural gas, etc.)
- renewable (water, sun, wind…).
The finite resources make energy that was stored for millions of years. Consuming it now creates greenhouse gasses and chemical pollution.
Renewable energy, also called “green” energy, has some drawbacks as well. Like disturbance of natural habitats and problems to store the energy itself… No matter where the energy comes from, we must use it conservatively!
10. Water
Most of us have plenty of water around — rivers, lakes, the ocean. Damn, often it’s pouring down from the sky you want it or not. So we shouldn’t be short of water, right? Wrong! There are ever more droughts destroying the fertile lands and leaving nothing but deserts behind.
Then there is drinking water. To make water safe for human consumption requires extra resources and chemicals. Most of the clean water isn’t even used to quench our thirst. It just runs down the sink and toilet bowl. So don’t worry that drinking too much water is bad for the planet. Instead, think about how much you waste down the drain.
Even bigger consequences come from water bought in plastic bottles. Production of the bottles uses more resources and creates much more pollutants. And after you drink the water, that hellish bottle will stay for centuries. In most places, tap water is perfect for drinking. If you are not convinced, use a water filter and drink with no worries. Thirsty outside of your house? Buy a reusable water bottle and take it wherever you go.
9. Electricity
The electricity itself isn’t harmful to the planet, but how it is generated can be. Most of the world’s electricity is generated using finite resources (coal, natural gas, and petroleum). Some of it is made using nuclear energy that leaves lots of harmful waste materials. Only a little is generated using renewable energy like wind, solar or geothermal.
Almost every device consumes electricity. You shouldn’t give up on all of them. Just use what you need at the moment and turn off the rest.
Transportation
Every internal combustion engine uses fuel and produces air pollution. Low impact options include:
8. Public Transportation
Driving a public bus, train, or metro is more environmentally friendly thanks to simple math. Although a bus uses more gas than a personal car, it can transport many more people. The more passengers ride, the less impact each of them is leaving behind him/herself.
Using train or metro leaves even smaller consequences. The environmental impact of electrical transportation depends on how the electricity was generated.
7. Riding a bicycle or walking
It will be much better not for the environment but also your health! It can improve mood and physical conditioning. Besides, it’s much less stressful than being stuck in a traffic jam or squeezed into public transportation.
Walking and riding a bike leaves no environmental impact unless you throw trash on the streets. If you don’t — keep on going with no guilt!
Daily Chemicals
Producing chemicals requires lots of resources and creates waste, and is poisonous to people and the environment. Using these products will continue to spread harmful substances into nature and may cause skin, breathing, and hormonal problems.
6. Cosmetics
Appreciate natural beauty! But if you really need some cream or powder, check the eco-friendly company offers. It might be more difficult and expensive at first. But in the long term, it will be a much better option for your health and nature.
5. Detergents
Soap, shampoo, and household detergents — instead of buying regular big brand products, check for new options. There are many eco-friendly products. It is even better if you can go to the Zero Waste shop with your own container and refill it again and again.
There are also more natural cleaning methods. For example, using soda and vinegar will clean most of the stains at your house.
Shopping
Everything you buy leaves a mark on the planet. Raw materials are taken from the land and heavily processed. This ruins natural habitats and pollutes water, ground, and air. Then comes transporting with its own inflictions. And in the end, there is nothing but useless waste.
4. Do you really need it?
Before you purchase anything, ask this question! While window-shopping, the sneakers looked so cool, but at home, they just lay in the closet. The same goes with that awesome t-shirt or shiny plastic thingy you HAD TO BUY!
I suggest a 7th-day shopping method:
If something catches your eye and you think you can’t live without it, just leave the store! If you feel the same way after 7 days, go ahead and buy it, but most likely you will even forget about its existence.
3. Buy second-hand, borrow or fix!
Sometimes garage sales or second-hand shops might pleasantly surprise you. There is a chance you will find your new favorite piece of clothing, unique decoration, or useful tool.
You don't even have to go to shops anymore. Just search for local Buy or Sell groups on Facebook or look for things on Craigslist.
If there is a quick necessity for a particular tool, thing, or outfit — first ask your family and friends! They might have what you need. It’s also much cheaper to borrow or rent what you need than buying everything.
Lastly, don’t buy things only because a new model or collection came out. Use what you have as long as you can. If it is broken, try to fix it, and before throwing it out, offer it to others first.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
Food
Not many people realize — the food we eat leaves a huge impact on the planet earth. Agricultural pollution mostly is the by-product of growing and raising livestock and animal feed. The third factor is cultivating food crops. According to World Resources Institute, agriculture is responsible for 12% of all greenhouse gas production. Air pollution is one of many harms. There is also land and water pollution from extensive fertilization and biological waste.
Farms and fields are consuming 70% of accessible water for irrigation, and animal use. Around 70% of all antibiotics in the United States are sold for use in animals.
On top of that, up to 50,000 acres of forest are cleared by farmers and loggers per day worldwide. An area equivalent to over 10,000 football fields is destroyed each day in the Amazon Basin alone. Around 80 percent of the newly gained land is used for agriculture. So this industry continues quick expansion.
2. Eat local and seasonal
Search for the best food options you can get. It might be wholesome foods in your local grocery store. But buying from local farmers you can trust is even better. In that case, you support smaller businesses, improve your health and help to save the planet.
Eating seasonally actually might help to diversify your diet. No longer will you eat the same food all year round. Look for new options that are grown around you and implement them in your menu. It’s surprising, fun, and also good for the body.
1. Decrease consumption of animal products!
Eating meat, eggs, and dairy is not only unethical. It is also harmful to your health and even more to the planet. You can watch any of these documentaries to understand more about the true impact of animal products.
P.S.
- If you are interested in your Ecological footprint and want to find out “How many planets do we need if everybody lives like you.” Fill the animated questionnaire.
- I hope this article started a small change in you. If it did, share it with friends and family so others can also think of new ways to live a more sustainable life.
