As a society, we are more aware than ever before of the damage our lifestyles are causing the environment and the rest of the world. We are much more aware of environmental issues than any generation before us, so many of us seek ways to live a greener lifestyle to try and limit the damage being caused to our planet.
You may initially feel overwhelmed by what changes you should make in order to live a more environmentally-friendly and greener lifestyle, but there are many small but significant changes you can make that will make a huge difference. Here are four easy ways that you can live a greener lifestyle.
Cut Down on Plastic Waste
Every year, the world produces around 14 million tons of polystyrene (plastic foam) and around 25 billion Styrofoam cups are thrown into the trash each year by Americans alone. However, plastic seems to exist in every aspect of our lives, so it can initially seem difficult to know how to cut down on your plastic use.
But don’t worry, cutting out plastic isn’t that difficult. You may find that you use a lot of plastic water bottles throughout the day, so you should invest in a water bottle that you can keep and reuse to avoid creating extra plastic waste.
If you are a coffee fan with a Keurig single-serve machine, then you should use recyclable k cups instead, as they are 100 percent compostable, which means they completely break down in around eight weeks. This a great way to enjoy your coffee while living a greener lifestyle.
Car Share
Motor vehicles are responsible for around 75 percent of carbon monoxide pollution in the United States and other forms of transportation cause around 27 percent of greenhouse gases. Therefore, you should consider trying to use your car less and maybe even car share to work and school every day. You might find that a work colleague lives just around the corner from you, so it makes sense to take turns driving each other to work.
Similarly, if you are just calling at the local grocery store, then you should consider walking or going by bicycle to the shop instead of unnecessarily using the car.
Turn It Off
The United States is responsible for 17 percent of the world’s total energy consumption, so being more conscious of the energy you are using is an essential aspect of living a greener lifestyle. You should try to conserve your energy as much as possible, as this can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint.
To do this, you simply have to turn off your electrical items if you are not using them. It’s easy, right? If you leave a room, be sure to turn the TV and lights off if they aren’t in use. Unplugging items at the main plug is a great way to reduce energy usage, as leaving them on standby is a waste of energy. By making sure that your items are completely turned off, you will save energy as well as money on your bills.
Use LED Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs not only last longer, but they are also more efficient, which means you will be using less power and saving yourself the time and cost of having to replace your light bulbs all the time. You can get LED bulbs that are different colors, shades, and brightness, so you can create any lighting you desire while living a greener lifestyle.
You will be surprised at how much just a few small changes can have on your carbon footprint, and how easy it is to live a greener lifestyle.
Jessica Peters is a freelance writer from Melbourne who blogs about health and fitness. Jessica is an avid traveler and regularly crosses the globe to learn about other cultures while blogging from her laptop.
