With so much going on in the world of late, your priorities might have shifted away from reducing your carbon footprint, but actually, the time has never been better for doing your bit to limit your negative impact not just on the environment around you, but on the world, as a whole.
Why not make 2022 the year that you start making a difference to live, think and act, in a greener way? If you like the idea, here are few ways that you can achieve it:
Eat seasonally
Responsible for as much as a ¼ of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, food production is a great place to start when trying to live more responsible, and by buying locally sourced, seasonal produce, you can reduce transportation and import emissions.
Feed your soil
Composting your food scraps can help your soil, and in turn, your plants, and with around 30% of food waste ending up in landfills every year, you can help to reduce that statistic, and the need for chemical fertilizers, by turning your scraps into food for your soil.
Limit your water consumption
Low-flow shower heads and small actions like turning the faucet off when you brush your teeth, can all help to reduce your water consumption.
Say ‘no’ to plastics
Reusable bottles are the single most effective way that we can all help to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up as garbage or litter every year, along with using as little plastic as possible in all other areas of our lives, too.
Harness the power of the sun by going solar
More and more homeowners and businesses alike are choosing to invest in energy and planet-saving solar power systems, helping to drastically reduce the use of harmful fossil fuels, and enabling them to make significant savings on their energy bills.
When compared with fossil fuel generators, PV solar panels produce far lower lifecycle levels and harmful pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Go slow on fashion
Fast fashion uses production processes that are far more harmful to the environment than you might think, and the fashion industry alone is responsible for 10% of all carbon emissions, globally. To slow your fashion down and become greener, try buying more used and environmentally conscious clothing, of which there are many more options today, than ever before.
Make your home truly weatherproof
Sealing leaks in your home to keep heat in and upgrading your windows are just two ways that you can make your home resistant to all weather conditions, and limit the amount of energy your household wastes every year.
Rack of lamb, anyone? Can I take a rain check?
Research has shown that not eating meat for as little as 30 days can reduce carbon emissions, and who knows, you might even feel healthier for it, too?
Be green with your gifts
When it comes to birthdays, holidays and anniversaries, try to give gifts that are eco-friendly, and as well as receiving a thoughtful, green gift, the recipients may even be encouraged to go green themselves!
Living greener doesn’t have to be complicated or particularly difficult, and while some of the most effective carbon-reducing measures, such as going solar, may require a little investment, they will absolutely pay dividend over the years.
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