The average American has a carbon footprint four times that of other people around the world. Too many greenhouse gasses spell big trouble for the earth and its resources.
Although you are one person, you can make a big difference in the health of this planet. From small steps like recycling to bigger projects like installing solar panels, everyone can do something to help. You can play a part in helping by developing a plan to save the planet and reduce your carbon footprint.
Learn about some ideas for how you can make a real environmental impact in our guide below.
Use Your Voice
There is no question that the planet faces some major environmental challenges today. If you’re looking to make a significant impact on the planet, your voice can be one of your most powerful tools.
From over consumption to pollution, people are harming the planet in countless ways. You can make a difference by using your voice to help raise awareness and call attention to these issues.
You can start small and post facts on social media or write letters to policymakers. Participating in protests and marches is another way to advocate for change.
Every little bit counts when it comes to protecting the earth. There is no time like the present to start speaking up!
Conserve Water
The world is facing a water crisis. As the population grows, the water demand continues to outpace supply. What’s worse, climate change makes droughts and floods more frequent and intense.
The solution to the water crisis isn’t to drill more water but to use less of it. That’s why it’s essential to save as much water as possible.
You can take steps to conserve water in your home. The first thing you should do is to check how much water you use. Most water utilities offer free water usage reports to help you see where you are wasting water.
One of the easiest ways to reduce your water usage is to replace old appliances with new ones. This is because old appliances use more water than new ones.
There are simple lifestyle fixes you can make to save on water too. In the bathroom, take shorter showers and turn the water off when you’re brushing your teeth. Using a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes is another way to save water.
Compost Your Food Scraps
One of the best ways to save the planet is by composting your food waste. Composting breaks down organic materials into nutrient-rich soil. You can use this super soil to help the plants in your garden grow.
There are many different methods for composting food scraps. You can use anything from a simple outdoor bin to a more complex indoor system to break down waste.
Some people toss their food scraps into a compost pile in their backyard. Other people prefer to set up a fancier enclosed system within their home.
Whatever your method, the key is to keep the compost well-mixed and moist. This will ensure that it can break down the right way.
If you’re not sure how to get started, plenty of resources are available online. Once you start, you may be surprised at how easy it is to make a positive change in the environment!
Travel Responsibly
Many people take the resources required to travel from place to place for granted. Planes, trains, and cars provide convenient ways to get from point A to point B, but they also use a lot of energy. They contribute to air pollution and climate change.
Instead of using cars and planes to travel from place to place, consider walking and biking. These modes of transportation have a smaller impact on the environment. They also provide you with many different health benefits.
Walking and biking can reduce the risk of many diseases. They are excellent choices to help you manage things like weight and cholesterol.
Choose Reusable
If you’re wondering how to save the planet at lunch, you can choose reusable containers for your food. Using reusable bottles and containers is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
The average American throws away over half a pound of plastic every day. This plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose. When they’re thrown out, they end up in landfills, oceans, and bodies of water.
Unfortunately, most plastic doesn’t biodegrade. It breaks down into smaller pieces, ending up in the environment and your body. This is a huge problem since even small amounts of plastic in the body can have long-term health effects.
The good news is that you can find a ton of reusable containers that are stylish and eco-friendly. You can also find reusable bags to make packing your lunch easy and good for the planet.
Save Electricity
If you are wondering how to help save the planet on a daily basis, look towards your electricity usage. Reducing how much electricity you use can significantly impact the environment.
You can save electricity by turning off the lights when you leave a room. Unplugging appliances you aren’t using is another way to keep your electricity usage low.
You can also install motion-sensor light bulbs. These bulbs turn on when you enter a room and turn off when you leave. They use a lot less energy than incandescent light bulbs.
Solar panels, like the ones from Blue Raven, capture the sun’s energy and turn it into electricity. You can then use this electricity to power homes and other devices. Solar panels don’t emit greenhouse gases, so they help fight climate change.
Eat Less Meat
To help protect the earth and its natural resources, you can reduce how much meat you eat. Meat production, especially beef, and red meat, uses a lot of water and energy. The process also takes up a large amount of land and is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Being vegetarian or vegan, or eating less meat, is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Choosing a more plant-based diet is also beneficial to your health. A vegetable-rich diet lowers your risk for heart disease and other health conditions.
Shop Local
When it comes to saving the planet, one of the most effective things you can do is shop locally. By buying food and other products from businesses in your own town, you help cut down on CO2 emissions. The closer to you that something was made, the less it needs to travel to get to you.
Shopping local also helps to support local businesses. Shopping local also keeps money circulating within your community.
Use Fewer Chemicals
You may use more chemicals in your everyday life than you even realize. Some chemicals can pollute the air, water, and soil on earth. They can also be toxic to plants and animals and their habitats.
By using fewer chemicals, you can help to reduce pollution to heal the environment. Swapping out your cleaning supplies with natural products is an easy fix.
You can go chemical-free with your garden and lawn care routine. Finally, you can support businesses that are committed to using fewer chemicals.
Buy Secondhand
You know that feeling when you find the perfect outfit on clearance? Imagine finding that, plus knowing that what you buy also helped the planet. Secondhand shopping is a great way to save money and reduce your impact on the earth.
Clothes are one of the most common items sent to landfills. Most of the clothing sent here is still in excellent condition. By shopping secondhand, you can extend the life of these clothes and keep them out of these landfills.
Secondhand shopping isn’t limited to just clothes. Many of these stores sell a wide range of items, from furniture to electronics to books. Whether you’re looking for new clothes or a new couch, shopping secondhand is a great way to go.
Consume Less
Demand for the earth’s resources increases as the population grows. People use large amounts of water, fossil fuels, and other limited resources every day. People also produce vast quantities of waste that take centuries to break down.
All this consumption is taking a toll on the planet. Plastic waste fills the oceans, and greenhouse gases dominate the atmosphere.
If you want to save the planet, you need to change your consumption habits. Buying only what you need helps keep trash at bay. This practice can also save you money and space in your home.
Make Your Plan to Save the Planet and Stick To It
While controlling your environmental impact can seem daunting, the small steps you take can make a big difference. When you make a plan to save the planet, you’re taking the first step towards a better world. Living more sustainably can keep the planet beautiful for future generations.
Kick start your path towards a more eco-friendly life by living more minimally. Check out our articles on minimalism today to get started!