Everything we do, from waking up in the morning to calling it a night, impacts the planet. You don't need a significant change to be a better earthling. Just do these seven simple, sustainable living tips to save the planet right now.
What is sustainable living?
Cambridge Dictionary defines sustainable as "causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time."
Sustainable living is choosing a lifestyle that reduces your carbon footprint or negative environmental impact.
For me, living sustainably is ensuring the next generation has enough natural resources left for them to survive and thrive.
Is it hard? Here's what you can do:
1. Turn off and unplug.
Turn off gadgets and appliances when not in use. But that's not enough...
Unplug them too!
Even when idle, plugged electronics still consume energy.
2-10 watts or 6-10% of your appliance consumption comes from electrical items on "standby" mode.
Unplugged appliances can be a fire hazard even when not in use.
Living sustainably is as simple as turning off the light or unplugging the coffee machine.
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2. Reuse.
Don't throw away that pasta sauce glass container yet. Instead, clean it and use it for keeping items or food.
These bottles usually have tight and secure lids perfect for keeping the bugs out.
Watch video tutorials on how to reuse plastic water containers, old clothes, tea bags, candle wax, and other used items instead of discarding them.
With the information at your fingertips, there's no excuse for not knowing these awesome hacks.
Tenor
3. Be a conscious shopper.
Always check the label. See if the ingredients being used are eco-friendly or cruelty-free.
Opt for more sustainable alternatives at the grocery store, like picking paper stem cotton buds instead of plastic.
Shopping for clothes?
Avoid those that are made from non-biodegradable materials like nylon and polyester.
Choose more environment-friendly organic cotton or Tencel.
Gfycat
4. Go paperless.
Choose paperless invitations and notes.
Thank God for technology; communication and sending information can now be done without printing paper.
Read the news online.
Choose email subscription or paperless receipts.
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5. Plant.
What can be more sustainable than growing plants and trees?
People may take plants for granted, but it gives us more than we can ask for.
It provides us a sustained supply of food.
It's the source of oxygen our body needs to survive and function.
Plants can also be used as medicine and are good sources of nutrition.
Plus, plants provide cleaner air, not to mention a gorgeous, calming view.
Nature is a gift that keeps on giving. Agree?
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6. Go plant-based.
Speaking of plants, choose plant-based food.
Plant-based or vegan food is healthier for your body, rejects violence (no animal harmed!), and is safer for the planet.
What would you pick to choose between growing your own food and killing a sentient being for a sandwich?
Would you really do it if it's up to you to wrestle and kill the animal for food?
Lucky us today because there are companies that produce sustainable products.
Healthier meat alternatives are now available in giant food chains and are seeing a high increase in revenue.
"In mid-March (peak), sales of plant-based foods were up 90% year-over-year. For the 4 weeks following, plant-based food sales at retail grew 35% faster than total retail food sales."
-Julie Emmett, Senior Director of Retail Partnerships at Plant-based Food Association
That's one heck of a growth!
7. Support local, organic, sustainable brands.
Buying locally means lesser shipping costs and a lower carbon footprint.
Let's help sustainable organic brands grow because their products provide us a better option than what's available in the market.
What natural, sustainable brands do you support?
I personally recommend Human Nature. It's an ethical company with world-class, award-winning quality.
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Every little thing you do impacts the planet.
From the food you put on your plate to the shampoo you use, small daily habits like turning off the faucet when not in use, and adequately throwing your trash...you make a huge difference, my friend.
You can leave the world a little better than you found it or make it unlivable.
Never think that what you do doesn't matter. It does.
You matter.
You, dear one, maybe a tiny speck in the vast universe, but you can make an effective change and leave a dent.
The question is, what kind of change are you making?
Follow these seven simple, sustainable living tips. The planet and future generations will thank you for it.
1 comments
I love all these tips! Going vegan makes a huge difference, but people should be aware that it doesn't have to be all or nothing. If you can't commit to a full vegan diet (yet) just do it a couple days a week, or as much as possible. if everyone did that, it would help tremendously
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