Simple Habits for the Greenest Year Yet
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Living sustainably is about prioritizing the planet and
future generations by minimizing our environmental impact. Every small action
we take can lead to significant change. From adjusting the thermostat to opting
for better shopping bags, becoming an everyday eco-hero is surprisingly easy.
Here are 12 impactful actions anyone can take.
1. Adjust the thermostat by two degrees—down in winter and up in summer—to lower utility costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates about 6 percent in energy savings for each degree of adjustment.
2. Replace plastic produce and grocery bags with reusables. Plastic bags are non-biodegradable and can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Microplastics from these bags are ingested by small organisms, entering the food chain and affecting human diets.
3. Switch to bar soap or refillable body wash. Millions of plastic soap containers end up in landfills each year, including 552 million shampoo bottles, which take an average of 450 years to decompose.
4. Commit to one plant-based meal each week. Animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, so eating one less burger a week is equivalent to removing a vehicle off the road for 320 miles. A plant-based diet can also lower the risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and certain cancers, while boosting mental health.
5. Use what you have before buying more, especially toiletries and cleaning products. The bathroom accounts for 64 percent of a home’s single-use items.
6. Unplug devices like phone chargers, gaming consoles and kitchen appliances with digital displays when not in use, as they can still draw small amounts of power and account for up to 10 percent of electricity use.
7. Carry a reusable water bottle to combat plastic bottle pollution in ocean waters, which is projected to reach two garbage trucks-full per minute by 2030.
8. Choose standard shipping when shopping online, combine orders and select the fewest packages per delivery to minimize environmental impacts, such as higher emissions and fuel costs.
9. Take shorter showers and install more efficient showerheads to significantly reduce water and energy consumption. Using less hot water also decreases the energy needed for fossil fuel-based heating.
10. Compost to reduce food waste. Transform food scraps and yard trimmings into nutrient-rich soil for the garden, reducing the need for fertilizer and pesticides. Countertop composting decreases food scraps in landfills, cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
11. Opt for gently used clothing instead of buying new. Thrifting or having clothing swaps with friends or family extends the life of clothes and reduces the volume sent to landfills annually.
12. Drive less by biking, walking, carpooling or using public transportation to cut air pollution and save money.
