The earth is our home; it is a sacred place where people live their lives and make the most of the resources that they are given. The earth offers people important resources, such as water, fresh air, food, so that they can live a long and happy life. Luckily, some people are starting to become aware of the impact that their actions can have on the world. For that reason, they are starting campaigns to protect and preserve the environment. However, in order to make their actions “visible” more and more people should join in.
At the end of the day, protecting the environment is not a difficult task at all. There are certain aspects and habits that everyone can change and help protect the earth. It is up to every single individual to do their part when it comes to protecting the environment. Generally, the changes that people need to make don’t require a lot of time or investment. Change has to come from the inside, and people can’t blame laziness or tiredness for their lack of interest. Each and every single person can reduce the amount water they use, reduce the use of electricity or recycle.
Give Your Car a Break
There are so many reasons why people should replace their car with a bike now and then. The climate change and the economic instability are just two of them. Furthermore, financing a bike is a lot easier compared to a car. Depending on the amount of money that you’re willing to invest in a bike, sometimes you can get a well-made bicycle that will outlast most cars. It is true that rainy seasons don’t get on that well with riding a bike, but even if you choose a bike instead of a car a couple of times a week, you can make a great change for the environment.
Then again, riding a bike will improve your overall health and help you lose weight. Biking to work has a lot of health benefits. It is also a free alternative to going to the gym. When going on a bike, you can breathe in fresh air and enjoy seeing the beauty of nature. Depending on your biking style, you could easily lose up to 600 calories an hour.
Conserve Water
Water is one of the main aspects that people should start thinking about. A lot of people all over the world are taking running water for granted. People do it on a daily basis. They spend minutes on end in the shower; they leave the tap open while brushing their teeth or run the dishwasher and the washing machine when they are not completely full. This kind of attitude is not beneficial for the environment at all.
Some easy changes that everyone can make in order to protect the environment include taking shorter showers, using pool covers to prevent water evaporation and keeping leaves out, turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth and washing full loads in the washing machine. Many people don’t actually know that they can replace their regular toilet with a low-flow one. This way they can reduce their water bills considerably and save a lot of water. Last but not least, everyone loves cold water on a warm summer day. However, leaving the tap on is not that great for the environment. Using a jug is a good alternative in this case.
Reduce the Electricity Consumption
The high consumption of electricity is probably one of the biggest problems that the environment is facing these days. There are so many appliances and gadgets that people use that consume huge amounts of energy. At the same time, a lot of people are looking to reduce their electricity bills. When thinking about it, the cost of going solar is not that great after all. Solar panels are a good investment for every homeowner because they pay off over time.
To save the environment, people need to start making changes to decrease the energy they are using. Even though that sounds like a dreadful task, it is not that difficult after all. Changing up your daily habits when it comes switching off anything that uses electricity when not in use can make a great difference for the environment.
If possible, people should start unplugging their devices. Many people don’t actually know that leaving laptop chargers or toasters plugged in will increase their electricity bill. On the other hand, tumble dryers can be replaced by an old-fashioned clothesline. Your clothes will smell fresh and reduce your overall electric consumption.
Recycle All You Can
Recycling is an important factor that contributes to the improvement of the environment. Although many people consider that recycling is a difficult activity, there are simple tips and tricks that are easy to implement into any household. It is never too late to start or re-commit to eco-friendly practices in your home or your office at work. When there are so many things people can do to go green, one of the easiest ideas is recycling. You don’t have to spend any money to do it. You just need to become aware of the impact that it can have on the Planet.
A simple way of recycling at home is by placing dedicated recycling containers where there is a waste; in the bathroom, kitchen or your home office. You can also teach your kids how to take part in this activity. You need to find out whether there are local areas where you can dispose of your old or broken electric appliances, batteries or light bulbs. Start by sorting plastic, paper, glass and metal in different bins. Cute bins allow you to make recycling more fun for family and office members as well.
Opt for Reusable Products
Consumers who buy shopping bags each time they go shopping are not doing any favors to the Planet. People could also consider borrowing, renting or sharing certain products that they use frequently and avoid disposable items. When going shopping, one can look for products that are made from recycled materials. This way they are not only promoting these kinds of products, but they are also encouraging but producing less waste for the environment. People can find so many great reusable products and cups in the market these days. A good start for people who want to protect the environment could by carrying reusable bottles, cups, and even cutlery.
Last but not least, plastic carrier bags can be replaced by cloth shopping bags that people can reuse as many times as they wish. Rechargeable batteries are a good alternative to disposable batteries. The worst thing about batteries is that they take up a lot of landfill space and they can’t be incinerated. They can also leak poisonous substances into the Earth and not only.
Buy Local Food
If people started buying and supporting local food and if their journeys to the store were made on a bike or a bus, the environmental savings would be truly good. Going to the supermarket can be a long and tiring activity. People are always rushing there, and you can never know where your products are coming from. On the other hand, going to the local market allows you to pick natural and fresh groceries that are good for the whole family.
Another great advantage related to buying local food is the fact that there is less packaging involved. Unfortunately, plastic trash always ends up in the ocean. That is a bad thing for both the environment and animals that live there. On the other hand, transporting food from different locations only leads to pollution. Buying local foods helps reduce pollution and increases the local budget considerably. It also allows people to eat fresh and clean on all occasions.
Adapt Your Garden
Planting a vegetable, fruit or herb garden is another good alternative for protecting the environment. When it comes to planting a garden, it is important to implement techniques that do not require a lot of water or fertilizers. The garden doesn’t necessarily need to be watered with a hose. Rainwater or rain barrels are a great alternative in this case.
People who live in an apartment could plant trees and flowers in front of their block or flats or opt for flowers in pots on their balcony. Finding a natural resource and cleaning it up is a good way of protecting the environment. Collecting the trash and debris in the area is something that more people should aim to do. People need to learn the correct ways of disposing or eliminating garbage. Trash, litter or food should never be left on the ground.
In conclusion, it is good to mention the fact that a person’s efforts to protect the environment don’t have to be great, as long as more people are getting involved into it. These small changes can be easily integrated into any person’s life without them noticing. If each person does their part to protect the environment, the world can become a better place.
Delicia Warren is a freelance writer, passionate about the environment, organic farming and food production. An advocate for a holistic approach to the world’s problems, she has a particular interest in the small changes individuals can make to their lifestyle to minimize their environmental footprint.
