As we move into a new decade, there’s a truth that couldn’t be clearer to many of us… there is no Planet B. As activists like young Greta Thunberg become a bigger part of our cultural vocabulary and all around us familiar brands pledge their commitment to sustainability, we’re reminded of the difference that we all can (and must) make to reverse the damage that we as a species have done to the planet.
In 2020, you’ll find that it’s neither difficult nor inconvenient to do your part to make your lifestyle more sustainable and help to halt our ongoing march towards irrevocable climate change, species extinction, and animal habitat loss.
Here are 5 easy changes you can make today to show your commitment to a greener future.
Eat more plants and less of everything else
Animal agriculture (farming animals for meat and dairy) is the biggest driver of climate change, pollution, deforestation and habitat loss in the world. Plant-based foods, however, cost a fraction of the land, water, and resources to farm. As such, even if you don’t feel like joining Veganuary this year, you can still pledge to eat more plant-based whole foods like veggies, nuts, seeds, fruits and grains and less processed foods, meat, and dairy.
Even if you’re on a ketogenic diet there are still lots of fat and protein-rich foods you can enjoy in the plant kingdom.
Use fewer chemicals around the home
We as a society have become hopelessly reliant on chemicals for many aspects of our day to day lives. And while they can be extremely helpful, they can also be extremely harmful when we flush them into our water supplies. They usually won’t do our health any favors either.
Consider checking out Moonriverchattel’s air purifier reviews. An air purifier is a much more sustainable and healthy alternative to using harsh chemical room deodorizers and sprays. Moreover, you might want to take a good look at the chemical-based cleaning products under your sink. You may well find that they do very little that can’t be done with white vinegar, water, lemon juice and a little bicarbonate of soda. Not to mention all that non-recyclable packaging they’re kept in.
Making your own cleaning products is quicker and easier than you may think, not to mention being surprisingly effective.
Change your energy provider
We all know that installing a smart meter, using energy-saving bulbs and investing in better insulation can help us to use energy more sustainably in the cold winter months. But in an age where there are more sustainable and renewable energy providers to choose from than ever, one of the most powerful changes you can make is to decide who supplies your energy. Here are some of the greenest energy providers to choose from. Moving to a new provider is easier and more stress-free than ever. And because providers are keen to compete with one another, they’ll usually be only too happy to pay your old provider’s exit fees.
You have pretty much nothing to lose, but the planet could have a great deal to gain.
Reuse before you recycle
We’ve been conditioned to believe that recycling is the key to solving all of our environmental woes. However, the truth is that recycling is way less efficient than we’ve been led to believe. And in an era where much of our recycling is outsourced to other countries like China because we don’t have the right infrastructure at home, every recycling collection carries a heavy carbon footprint.
Cutting back on prepackaged foods and other items, reusing and repurposing old belongings and thinking of clever ways to reuse your trash (painted soup cans make great plant holders, for example) can all help you to rely less on recycling and repurpose your way to sustainability.
Buy more pre-loved clothes
Speaking of reusing and repurposing, two of the biggest contributors to ecological damage (outside of transport and animal agriculture) are textiles and fast fashion. Not to mention the appalling treatment of textile factory workers in Asia and Africa.
But living sustainably doesn’t mean that you have to abandon all hope of ever looking good. It just means you should try and make an effort to buy more pre-loved clothes. Second-hand clothes are usually easy to find on eBay or dedicated online stores and can help you to stay up to date on the latest looks at a fraction of the cost. What’s more, selling your pre-loved clothes on eBay could help you to make a lucrative start to the year.
