As reported in September 2019, the past four years have been the hottest ever recorded. The rise in temperatures, along with other climate changes, will have long-lasting, disastrous effects if action isn’t taken soon.
The good news is more people than ever before are recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis. They’re ready to make some changes to their lifestyle and learn the best ways to go green.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure were to begin! Aside from purchasing eco-friendly items, there are tons of ways to make the switch to a more eco-friendly life, with different options that are manageable for everyone.
Here are four ways you can live with more eco-friendly habits.
1. Use Non-Toxic Alternatives
Natural substitutes exist for an array of harmful goods found around your home. You can choose non-toxic options that are manufactured sustainably, biodegradable, and don’t negatively impact the environment.
Take a look at these products in your abode and see if you can find a more environmentally-safe version:
- Skincare
- Cleaning Products
- Haircare
- Laundry Detergent
- Pet Care Products
You can even make many things like skincare and cleaning products yourself! Whether you decide to buy all-natural or make non-toxic alternatives, you’ll know exactly what ingredients you’re using and that you’re doing your part to save our beautiful planet.
2. Move into an Eco-Home
While adjustments can be made in most homes to leave less of an ecological footprint, there are houses constructed purely with this idea in mind. If possible, it might be time to look for an eco-home that will provide a wonderful life for you and the future.
A passive house is the perfect choice for individuals looking to make a helpful impact. Passive houses are built to high energy efficient standards, guaranteeing little energy is needed to heat and cool the space.
Many people live in an area where heating and/or air conditioning is imperative to comfortable and safe living. Passive houses effectively take care of these needs while also improving the air quality inside and lowering utilities!
3. Start Composting
Ever wonder what happens to all the discarded parts of your fruits and vegetables? If you’re putting them in the trash, they’re unfortunately taking up space in landfills and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Composting your fruit and vegetable waste is much greener. It allows you to naturally fertilize your garden and indoor plants, reducing the dependency on destructive synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Here are some things to consider before composting:
- Putting your compost in the sun will break down the waste faster
- If you do put your compost in the sun though, make sure to regularly add moisture
- You don’t have to turn your compost, but it will speed up the process
- You don’t necessarily need a compost bin, but it makes turning easier, makes nutrients break down faster, and contains any possible unpleasant smells.
Composting is something we can all do!
4. Cook Some Vegan Meals
Veganism can sometimes seem unfeasible, but there’s an abundance of tasty, nutrient-packed vegan recipes. The cultivation and management of livestock significantly adds to human-linked CO2 generation; even only cooking a few vegan meals a week can diminish the harmful environmental impact of the meat industry.
Adopting a fully or semi-plant-based diet will also improve your health and spice things up in the kitchen. Veganism often opens up a world of flavors and trying new recipes at home always saves you some money!
Conclusion
Helping the planet can feel like an impossible task sometimes, but you can make a powerful impact from home. Try these tips to get started.
