Synopsis: Large companies have traditionally received the most criticism for causing damage to the environment. But individuals can collectively make a difference to help protect the environment from irreversible harm.
So you’ve seen the headlines about an impending climate doom. Unlike some, you don’t deny that human activities are behind the steady warming of the planet.
But then you might ask yourself, the perpetrators of the looming climate crisis are the big oil companies… aren’t they?
Yes, large corporations thrust enormous amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But consumers should also be held responsible for their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions as well. No one person or corporation can be held to blame. The responsibility of creating a sustainable future is one held by all.
The advantage you have as a consumer is that you also possess the agency to be a part of the immediate solution. Even in the smallest of ways, you can make a difference in fighting climate change. But it may be difficult to know where to get started in living more sustainably. Let’s dive into some of the ways you can do your part in protecting the planet.
Lifestyle
Living sustainably will require you to reduce the amount of resources you consume. Plastics alone are a major polluter; more than 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases were produced by plastics in 2019 alone. Invest in reusable water bottles and refrain from purchasing plastic cutlery or other plastic products.
But sustainable living doesn’t stop with eliminating plastics. You can also hang clothes to dry instead of using a machine drier. Utilizing reusable grocery bags when you go to the supermarket can make a huge difference as well. Many supermarkets charge for bags as an incentive to encourage this behavior, but you have to be the one to make the change yourself.
Above all, avoid purchasing items that endanger our natural environment. This would include forgoing that luxurious mahogany dining table (you may be excused if the table is made from antique wood). Mahogany is an endangered tree.
Ivory is similarly a non-sustainable item as it is made from the tusks of endangered African elephants. If you want to splurge on a fancy item, buy a Tesla.
Transportation
Transportation accounts for 29% of greenhouse gas emissions. You can mitigate the environmental impact of transportation by carpooling and using public transport. Greta Thunberg went a step further and refuses to fly on airplanes. You may also consider only flying when necessary. Buying an electric car can also help lower your carbon footprint. And with more incentives being made every year to create favorable tax breaks on electric purchases, you can help your wallet in addition to the environment.
Food
When it comes to putting food back into the refrigerator, you probably use plastic saran wrap. You may want to consider using cloth or wax paper. If you stick with saran wrap, reuse it when possible. Alternatively, purchase some tupperware and use that regularly rather than disposable wraps.
The transport of food negatively impacts the environment. If you have the space, consider planting a garden to satisfy some of your dietary needs. Who knows, you might just find yourself with a new hobby as well.
Not many people realize it, but your diet may also be contributing to your carbon footprint. Meat currently accounts for 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions. Limit your consumption of meat as much as possible or switch to consuming meat substitutes like those made by Beyond Burger or Impossible Foods. Trust us, the difference in taste is hardly noticeable.
Housing
Housing can have just as a negative impact on the environment as your food consumption or travel tendencies. To live more sustainably, turn off lights when they’re not in use. If you can afford it, consider installing solar panels on top of your house. Like electric cars, tax incentives exist for the installation of panels. Be sure to wash dishes in a responsible manner as well; don’t keep the sink running the entire time but instead turn it on at a low volume whenever the dishes need rinsing.
All of the above methods can help reduce your carbon footprint in a number of ways. If you have the means to invest in electric cars and solar panels, this is a great step in helping to prevent your individual impact on the environment. If these aren’t possible for your lifestyle, reexamining how you consume food and what methods of travel you use are great alternatives that can also play a big part in reshaping the size of your carbon footprint.
Written by Ted Shabecoff, CEO of greenly.co
