5 Ways To Adopt A Sustainable Lifestyle
Sustainability is a subject that can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Can you, as an individual, actually help the planet? While it may be discouraging, there are actually many things you can do on a daily basis to reduce your carbon footprint, protect the environment and support the wellbeing of others. We’ve put together some easy steps you could take to live more sustainably.
Walk or cycle!
Driving a car is convenient but it also has a horrendous effect on the planet. Indeed, cars emit carbon dioxide which itself contributes one-fifth of the total global warming pollution. While there are some environmentally friendly cars out there, it is much better to cycle or to walk. It’s not only great for the planet, walking or cycling has amazing health benefits as it improves your fitness level and therefore your overall health condition.
Get a renewable energy provider
Switching energy providers is really easy nowadays, from one month to another you can decide to go somewhere else. So why not go green by supporting the energy transition and choosing a renewable energy provider? These providers produce energy from natural sources such as water, sun or wind. Some providers such as Ovo also offer to plant a tree each year you’re with them. You can also save money on home entertainment services and use that savings to invest in solar energy!
Reduce your meat consumption
While it may be hard for some to stop eating meat altogether, reducing meat from your diet can have a significant impact on the planet. In fact, “industrial meat” contributes 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. You could start by implementing “meatless Mondays” and go from there, there are so many healthy sustainable meat replacements out there.
Shop responsibly
Try to find sustainable shops where you live, it could be second-hand stores, vintage or charity shops. Fast fashion is extremely harmful to the environment, according to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, “every year, global emissions from textile production are equivalent to 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2, a figure that outweighs the carbon footprint of international flights and shipping combined. “So, before you start shopping, try to look into eco-friendly brands that attempt to minimize their impact on the planet. Sustainable fashion is easier to acquire than it once was!
Bring your own cup!
An easy and effective action you can take to help the environment is to bring your own cup, bag, refillable bottle, etc anywhere you go. Plastic is harmful to the environment because it takes a lot of time to degrade and can be life-threatening to wildlife. You could bring your own reusable coffee cup to your local café or use a reusable bag when you go shopping, it may seem simple but it can make a big difference to the planet.