10 Ways You Can Easily Help the Environment

By Ashley Logan on April 17, 2018

 

We’ve all noticed the sudden shifts in weather patterns in recent years. Like how just the other day it was 80 degrees and sunny, while the next day it was 60 degrees and cloudy. These weather patterns (or lack thereof) are just one of the many factors that display the effects of global climate change. By this point, it is no secret that there’s a major issue occurring when it comes to climate change. Unfortunately, some political powers and uber-rich companies like to deny the fact that this is a real issue that affects everyone. It can feel like us regular people are helpless when it comes to climate change and helping out the ozone. However, there are minor ways one can help reduce their carbon footprint.

via Pixabay.com

1. Recycle

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Recycling is maybe one of the most common ways people know how to help the environment. Recycling is just as simple as throwing away regular trash, but greatly reduces the number of harmful items that affect the environment. Plastic, glass, cardboard, and paper should be recycled whenever possible. This little tip will go a long way in the grand scheme of things, so make recycling a habit.

2. Take Shorter Showers 

Showers are definitely a nice way to get rid of the day’s stress and stench. Everyone loves a nice long shower, especially when the water is almost boiling hot, or maybe that’s just me. Showers contribute to an enormous amount of water usage. Water is drawn from natural bodies of water and won’t always be available with the excess amount that people use on a regular basis. Water may seem like an endless natural resource, but overuse and pollutants can make this a bigger issue. Shorten that 30-minute shower to 10 minutes, and maybe less.

3. Reusable Bottles > Water Bottles

Water bottles come in handy but a reusable bottle does too. Reusable bottles reduce the amount of plastic you use when you drink out of water bottles. Despite the convenience, water bottles are no good for our precious earth. If you continue to use them, be mindful of recycling. Plastic is not biodegradable and ends up in landfills which lead to bodies of water. See how everything is connected?

4. Reusable Bags > Plastic Bags

The same reason reusable bottles are more environmentally friendly goes for reusable bags too. Plastic bags are literally everywhere and can be substituted by more sturdy, reusable bags. This small step will greatly decrease your use of plastic while simultaneously offering a more sufficient carrying option.

5. Electronic > Printed Paper 

If there’s an option to do something online instead of printing, do it. Paper comes from trees, and trees help us breathe, keep that in mind. Theworldcounts.com offers a live-tracker that shows how much paper has been produced each year. An online or digital version of a paper document can be a major help when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint.

via Pixabay.com

6. Use Non-Toxic Items

Household items like hairspray, cleaning products, and air fresheners can pump out toxins into the air. The toxins, like other air pollutants, decrease the effectiveness of the ozone layer’s protection from the Sun. Replace these items with natural, environmentally friendly alternatives which shouldn’t be too hard to find.

7. Turn Off the Lights

This is simple. Turn off the lights if you’re leaving a room. This reduces energy usage and unnecessary lighting when no one is using it. This also helps out on bills by decreasing your power usage, this is a win-win option.

8. Drive Less, Walk More

Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to drive less and walk more. Driving uses fossil fuels that greatly contribute to pollution of the atmosphere and depletion of the ozone layer. Fuel comes from natural resources, much like the rest of everything humans use. The excessive usage of natural resources will eventually result in a depletion or drought of necessary resources.

9. Eat Less Meat

Try eating less meat. To raise cattle, chickens, and other animals for human consumption an extreme amount of water is used. According to “50waystohelp,” it takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. Crazy.

10. Share Your Knowledge

Tell your friends. Tell your kids and everyone else that you know. Sharing your knowledge of environmental issues and ways to easily contribute to its restoration is the only way others will know how bad their habits can be. Knowledge is power and it is up to you how you wish to use it.

Global climate change isn’t a hoax. This is a very real, and ever-so-present world issue that can only result negatively if not taken seriously by major corporations. Big businesses intentionally use harmful methods and resources to mass produce items and rake in the money. Unfortunately, the Trump appointed Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Scott Pruitt, has a personal vendetta against the very own agency he runs. Many previously instilled protocols and environmentally conscious ways for companies to keep going have been retracted. Money shouldn’t be able to affect the world as much as it does. It’s up to us to make a difference, whether it is on the large or small scale. Start by taking these steps, to adjust your lifestyle to a suitable way that helps the environment be a better place.

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