Climate change is happening, and it is very much real.
Temperatures are rising and are changing the weather patterns all over the world. Glaciers are melting, causing a huge rise in flooding, some water bodies are drying up, affecting food production. Carbon emissions are at an all-time high.
Governments are slow to take action and fall short of taking the steps required to make a change. But while powerful reforms are required to make changes, there are many small, everyday things that even we as individuals can do and pitch in to save the planet before it is too late and irreversible damage to our ecosystems occurs.
1. Conserve Water
There’s a saying that a river is made drop by drop and that is very true. Do you have leaky plumbing? Did you know a leaky faucet could waste as much as 90 gallons of water every single day!
That’s a whole river. Get those faucets fixed. Turn the taps off when you’re brushing your teeth and switch to filtered tap water instead of drinking bottled water. You will save a lot of water while cutting down on plastic waste at the same time.
2. The three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Practicing the three R’s is as easy as throwing your trash in the bin or using reusable bags at the grocery store. Start by making small changes in your lifestyle, such as reducing waste, stopping disposable products, and buying recycled products instead.
You can also recycle many materials yourself. If an office of 7000 workers recycled all the paper, they used in a year. It is equivalent to the removal of 400 cars from a street. That is how much pollution can be reduced by even the small actions you take.
3. Say Goodbye to Plastics
The use of single-use plastic has increased exponentially over the turn of the century. A whopping 7.25 metric tons of plastics end up being dumped in the ocean each year- and that is the one that doesn’t end up in landfills.
Plastic is not biodegradable, and it increases land pollution each passing day. It is also eaten by marine animals, disrupting the food chains and causing a chain of problems worldwide.
Do your part and decrease the use of plastics. Don’t use plastic straws and cups, avoid buying bottled water, and take your own cloth bags to the grocery store.
4. Go Vegan
The meat industry is one of the largest causes of tropical deforestation and carbon emissions. Along with the destruction they bring to the ecosystem, the meats are highly processed and harmful to your health. Cutting down on the consumption of meat cannot just save the planet but also make you healthier.
A good alternative to eating processed meats is buying from your local butchers or eating seasonally appropriate vegetables rich in nutrients. You will also end up supporting your local economy, along with your health and planet.
5. Switch to Solar Energy
With the world running out of non-renewable energy sources, solar energy is the key to a sustainable future.
You can use solar lights or install solar panel generators at your home and save electricity costs while you try to save the planet. Find out more at Simple Solar Living.
If you follow the steps mentioned above and make them a part of your life, you can play an important part in countering global warming and saving the earth. Good luck!