Climate change. It may seem like a monumental task to reverse it, but with individual action and accountability, the effects of climate change can slowly begin to turn in the world’s favor. So, what simple habits can you adopt to aid our environment?
1. Save energy. Unplug chargers when not in use, and switch to LED light bulbs.
Energy consumption is one of the main concerns when it comes to climate change and the actions we need to take. Wasting non-renewable energy resources, especially fossil fuels, pollutes the environment. By switching from incandescent bulbs to LED light bulbs, you conserve more energy and the bulb is far more efficient for long-term use. Also, unplugging chargers not in use saves both energy and money.
2. Don’t be in a hurry for your online purchases
By simply not selecting the one-day shipping choice on delivery websites, you are saving the gas delivery trucks burn to make extra trips to deliver your items.
3. Wash your clothes in cool water.
Washing your clothes with cold water saves an enormous amount of energy since most of the energy used by the washing machines is utilized for warm water. Washing machines are one of the largest energy consumers in households, and switching to cold water can cut down on much of that energy consumption.
4. Try becoming a ‘Flexitarian.’
A flexitarian is someone who eats a plant-based diet but includes very small portions of meat on the side of their meals. The meat industry heavily impacts the environment as animals raised for consumption, namely cattle, emit methane, and the process of producing meat for mass consumption releases a large number of carbon emissions. Therefore, by cutting down your meat intake every day, you will cut your carbon footprint by more than forty percent.
5. Recycle your clothes.
Especially during the pandemic, you may feel your closet has far more clothes than you need, and you may be inclined to get rid of some clothing clutter. While that is fine, consider donating your clothes to recycling programs as the fashion industry itself negatively contributes to climate change as they manufacture and distribute clothes. One example would be Patagonia, as the company takes all your unneeded clothes, and refurbishes and sells them to impoverished areas.
6. Position your work area near natural light.
As we are all in distance-learning, the hours spent at a desk working on assignments and studying are substantial. This may overwork your lamps to provide you light throughout the day which is why finding an area where natural light falls into your home would be beneficial not only for your health but your energy usage as well.
7. Trick your thermostat.
Ever heard of the “two-degree rule”? By setting your thermostat to two degrees cooler than you normally would in the winter and two degrees hotter in the summer, you are conserving energy and fossil fuel emissions with this decision that would barely impact your heating/cooling needs.
8. Check your tires and set your car to cruise control!
Earning your driver’s license and getting your first car are monumental milestones in your young life, but the environmental impact of not keeping up with your car contributes to climate change. Cars with poorly inflated tires emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, worsening air pollution. This is the same for unnecessary speeding, especially on long drives, where you can easily set your car to cruise control to limit emissions.
9. Get a reusable water bottle.
Although it is said over and over again, the message has clear value. Reusable water bottles go a long way to conserving plastic used to make plastic bottles and reducing land pollution. Plastic bottles take at least 450 years to decompose, adding to the ever-growing garbage islands all over the world. Therefore, by using a reusable bottle, you conserve enormous amounts of energy and contribute to reversing the effects of climate change.
10. Donate old, unused electronic devices.
Living in Silicon Valley has its perks in obtaining the newest, cutting-edge technology from big companies like Apple or Samsung. However, as they continue distributing newer versions of electronics, consumers are more inclined to get the best technology possible, contributing to a growing amount of e-waste of older model devices. Many of these old devices are often discarded improperly when they could be donated, refurbished, or redistributed for better causes. These electronics still hold many valuable materials that could be utilized in numerous different ways, so donating unused electronics will lessen e-waste contributing to land pollution and energy waste.
By integrating these ten tips into your daily routine, you will be effortlessly helping reduce the effects of climate change. Every person counts when it comes to bettering the environment and quality of life, and it starts with you.