It’s the start of a new year again and I’m sure most of you have written down your resolutions for the months to come. Whether it’s squeezing in a little more time for fitness or learning a new language, it’s always nice to have a goal that will help you make positive changes. And in making those changes, we all need to do our part to help the planet as well. So if you’re one of the people who are concerned about the environment, why not set a goal of living a cleaner and greener life for 2020? After all, how much can one person do to save the planet earth?
In a report released in 2018, United Nations (UN) scientists found that we’re going to have to face terrible consequences if we don’t “cut back carbon emissions to keep global warming from surpassing 1.5 degrees Celcius.” There are also 8 million tons of plastic that go into the ocean each year. The good news, however, is that we can make a big difference by doing something about it. We have 12 months to help our planet—but I hope we can continue practicing a greener life beyond this year. Let’s all try to ditch the plastic, consume less energy, and recycle more.
Here are some simple ways you can go green this year:
Use a water filter
According to Earth911, the water coming from our tap can contain a “wide array of harmful chemicals, including lead, chlorine, and fluoride as well as bacteria, viruses, and even pharmaceuticals.” Try to install a water filter at your home—you’ll save tons of plastic water bottles by doing so. You can also purchase shower filters, so you can shower and soak in the bathtub without absorbing toxins.
Do second-hand
Second-hand items are not only money-savers, but they’re also eco-friendly. Instead of buying things and adding more to your space, borrow from a friend or shop in second-hand stores. Going to a thrift store might be a good idea.
Reusable shopping bags
This is old news anymore, but using a reusable bag can always reduce the number of plastic bags that you waste. You can fold them neatly and bring it with you everywhere you go.
Stop the “throwaway culture”
Since there is always something new to buy these days, it has gotten easier to throw away stuff we don’t use anymore. Consumerism is adding to environmental problems by depleting the earth’s resources, which has a very significant environmental impact. As mentioned earlier, try to do second-hand to prolong the lifespan of consumer goods. And before throwing stuff away, be smart about it and think first about how you can recycle it.
Choose products with less packaging
According to The Guardian, the throwaway culture has spread packaging waste worldwide. This is why we should opt for products with lighter packaging. We can try to keep empty containers and upcycle them. There are also skincare brands that accommodate your empties to be used for their future products. Above all, don’t forget to bring your reusable shopping bags!
Eat less red meat (or less meat in general)
Some actors have been campaigning for less meat consumption, and that is because many experts believe that it would have a greater impact on our carbon footprint than abandoning cars. Red meat even results in five times more climate-warning emissions, LGI Consulting reports. Let’s all be wary of our consumption choices and choose what’s best for us and the environment.
Support sustainable fashion
It’s no secret that sustainable fashion helps prevent chemicals from being released into the environment. In fact, according to the latest data from Eco-Pulse, 90 percent of millennials will buy products from a brand whose “social and environmental practices they trust.” Fortunately, consumers are becoming more aware of how some fashion industries are exploiting the earth’s resources. There are also big fashion names out there that are rallying change and promoting sustainability.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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