You’re probably here because you want to make a difference. You want to lead a life that’s inspiring. With the overwhelming number of documentaries and articles online, people have finally started coming around to the possibility of a sustainable lifestyle.
Earlier, anyone who claimed to be sustainable was mocked for advocating ‘veganism’ or moving to a forest and living in a hut, or something ridiculous along those lines. But sustainability doesn’t need to be so extreme; all you need to do is make small changes to your lifestyle that can help improve not only the quality of the environment but also your life.
Here are some things you can start doing to reduce your carbon footprint and save the planet, little by little:
- Go Plastic Free!
It’s a well-known fact that plastic is non-biodegradable. It never goes away. Despite that, plastic is everywhere – in our oceans, landfills, and even our homes. Cut down on plastic wherever you can. Do your bit. Use paper or bamboo straws, carry your own cloth bags to the supermarket, ditch plastic garbage bags etc. It’s a small step to a more sustainable future.
- Start Recycling
You’ve probably heard this one a hundred times before, but it’s just as effective. Recycling is important to save energy as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dispose of your trash in the correct bins and make sure to reuse products to their maximum ability instead of mindlessly tossing them in the garbage. Some items that you can recycle instead of throwing away are old CDs, glass jars, paper bags, newspapers, tyres, clothes etc.
- Wear Sustainable Clothing
The fast fashion industry generates 22,000 tonnes of toxic waste every year, for it to get dumped in water bodies and pollute the land neighbouring it. More than 50% of clothes are discarded within one year of use. Slow down your consumption. Purchase good quality products, made from organic material, that will last you long, and won’t have any negative effects on the environment. The online space has proven itself to be an advocate of the slow fashion movement, and you will find plenty of sustainable brands that you can shop from!
- Cut Down on Meat
Not just for animal welfare purposes, but also because of the impact it has on the environment. Did you know the meat industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change? Livestock farming is responsible for the enormous amounts of greenhouse gases that are released into the environment on a daily basis. The manure contaminates water bodies and leads to pollution on a massive scale. The intensive nature of this industry also causes soil degradation. Sure, meat is an important protein needed to maintain a healthy life, but there are alternatives out there that come at a lesser (environmental) cost!
- Switch to LED lights
This is a simple way you can conserve energy. Traditional incandescent lose their power early on, while LEDs can last 35 times longer while using 75% less energy. Take a few minutes and replace all your old lights!
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” This saying holds true, especially in these transitioning times, as we contemplate moving towards a more sustainable life. Our advice? Stop contemplating and start doing!