We all know that climate change is a serious concern, and these days most of us are trying to do our best to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, wherever possible. Whilst many governments are finally starting to wake up to the issue and implement greener policies and regulations, it’s still important that we all do our part on a small scale. Each individual action might not seem like much on its own, however, taken together they can make a real difference. With that in mind, here are some top tips for simple steps you can take to live your life in a more environmentally friendly way.
Change your diet
Food is one area in which we can make a difference not only to the health of the planet but also to our own health. By switching to a diet that is more plant-based and eating less meat, you can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint and also your risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Another tip is to eat seasonal and local produce because it’s not as resource-intensive to produce and ship these to you. Visit your local farmers’ market to see what’s on offer – it will most likely taste better, too! If you have your own garden or allotment, you could also try growing some of your own fruit and veg.
Use less water
Many of us use a lot of water every day without thinking about it, but luckily there are simple changes we can make to save this precious resource. For example, in the bathroom you can turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, take showers instead of baths, install a water-saving aerated shower head, or fit a device in the cistern of your toilet to reduce the amount of water used when you flush. Other tactics include only using the washing machine and dishwasher when you have a full load, only boiling the amount of water in the kettle or saucepan that you need, and keeping a cool jug of water in the fridge to avoid having to run the tap until the water is cold enough for you.
Use less energy
There are lots of ways that you can save energy around the house, all of which will have the added bonus of saving you money on your gas and electric bills. For example, you can take advantage of green home initiatives and look at schemes that help you make your home more energy-efficient by installing better wall and cavity insulation. On a smaller scale you can make sure you always turn off devices at the wall socket when you’re not using them, switch off lights in rooms you’re not in, and buy greener appliances when you have to replace your current ones.
Focus on fashion
The fashion industry is surprisingly resource-intensive, and recently there has been a lot more focus on how damaging the current system is for the environment. Part of the problem is ‘fast fashion’, where we buy lots of cheap clothes and then throw them away when we get bored of them or they get damaged.
To make your wardrobe greener try shopping for secondhand or vintage clothes, and buy fewer but better quality items of clothing that will last you for a long time. Another great idea is to learn how to mend your clothes, so you don’t end up chucking them out when they get one little hole or rip.
Create less waste
There are many methods you can employ to reduce the amount of rubbish that you throw away. For example, instead of disposable cups, bottles and straws that are discarded after one use, bring your own travel coffee cups, water bottles and metal straws with you that can be used over and over again. Another tactic is to reduce the amount of packaging you buy in the first place, for instance by choosing shampoo and conditioner bars instead of bottles, loose fruit and veg, and washable makeup remover pads instead of disposable face wipes. Plus of course, recycle wherever possible.
Change your travel habits
Little changes to the way we travel can add up to big reductions in our carbon footprint. Try to walk or cycle rather than drive when you can, and take public transport for longer journeys. If you are travelling abroad, think about taking the train instead of flying if that’s a feasible option for your destination. When you do drive, see if it’s possible to share lifts with others instead of everyone taking their own car. Not only does this reduce emissions and traffic jams, it’s also more sociable.
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