The concept of being sustainable is nothing new; reports of climate change and pollution are both things that have been around for years, but it is only recently that they have been taken seriously.
The effects of climate change are becoming more obvious every year, which makes it pretty difficult to ignore. As the damage becomes more apparent, many people are beginning to ask themselves: what can I do to reduce my own impact on the planet?
Living an eco-friendly and green lifestyle has slowly become more popular, which ultimately makes it more accessible as there is not only more information available but more eco-friendly brands in the supermarkets.
However, going green is not something that will happen overnight, focus more on progression, instead of perfection! Let’s explore five habits you can easily change today to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle.
1. Eat More Plant-Based Meals
Meat and dairy products are out, and veganism is in! The meat and dairy industries are both huge contributors to climate change, mostly due to the number of greenhouse gases that are released by cattle. So, if you are wanting to start being kinder to the planet, then you may want to consider eating more plant-based meals.
Veganism has evolved massively over the last decade, and it is now easier than ever to find plant-based options in your local supermarkets, so you shouldn’t struggle at all to eat plant-based. Even just swapping out meat and dairy a few times a week can make a real difference, so why not challenge yourself and give it a go?
2. Reduce Plastic Consumption
Plastic is possibly one of the most damaging things to happen to our planet. Because plastic isn’t biodegradable, it can take up to 500 years for plastic to decompose, meaning that there are landfills all around the world that are just full of plastic items. For someone who wants to make a difference and live an eco-friendlier lifestyle, you should definitely consider reducing your plastic consumption or using alternatives such as bioplastics.
This is something that is often easier said than done, as most things we buy are packaged in plastic. However, if you do your research and look carefully, you should slowly be able to reduce your plastic consumption by buying from sustainable brands. You can also make a difference at home by not buying plastic water bottles and using reusable bottles instead.
3. Find Better Alternatives
Living a more sustainable lifestyle will often mean ditching some of your old habits or finding better alternatives for them. As mentioned above, it is very easy to buy and use plastic as that is often the only thing available, but if you really want to make a difference, then you need to alter your lifestyle.
One thing that can be quite damaging to the environment is smoking, so you may want to consider giving up this bad habit. We understand that quitting smoking is not an easy process; nicotine is highly addictive, so it’s difficult to go cold turkey. So, if you want to quit smoking but you still need that nicotine hit then perhaps consider switching to vaping. If you don’t want to use disposable vapes, there are plenty of other vape pens to choose from. You can look into the best vaping start kits and find one that is right for you, and is also more sustainable.
4. Shop With Sustainability In Mind
Whenever you go and do your weekly shopping, spend some time reading labels before you pop an item in your basket. More often than not, if a product is eco-friendly, it will state this clearly on the label, which makes it easier for consumers, like yourself, to buy sustainable products.
Shopping with sustainability in mind is something that will absolutely get easier over time, as the more you read labels, the more you will learn which brands are the best to buy. In addition to this, buying from local and small businesses is an excellent way to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, so if you have some great small businesses local to you, then take full advantage of that.
5. Use Less Energy
Using less energy around the home is another thing you can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle. If your current energy supplier does not have a focus on sustainability, then try and change your provider to one that is greener. This will make it a lot easier for you to use less energy, and it also means that the energy you are consuming, has been sourced sustainably.
Using less energy in the home is more than just switching off your lights when you leave the room, you have to also consider how much energy your car uses. Switching to an electric car is an effective way of decreasing your energy use and giving back to the planet as you are no longer burning fossil fuels.
Changing habits is never easy, but if you make a start with one of these today, you’ll find that it’s all in the mind.
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- Eco Warrior by day, Eco Blogger by night trying to get the eco balance right.
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