Many countries are striving to promote eco-friendly lifestyles in order to reduce the amount of detrimental emissions, and to preserve the environment. While all countries encourage considerate usage of earth’s resources, it is our responsibility as citizens to research and implement what we can do to improve the quality of living for future generations.
While recycling a water bottle is figuratively the smallest drop in the ocean, as rain does, it still accumulates. To promote greener living in your home, here are six of the best ways you can make a difference.
Solar Energy
This is particularly a smart investment in certain sunny States. Depending on the State, you may or may not need to pay taxes on your solar energy, and some States even require that a certain percentage of your energy be given to the State’s renewable energy reserve. With research on the requirements of your individual circumstance, it is much more effective, and clean, than using fossil fuels.
Before installing solar panels however, ensure the installation process and energy use complies with the rules and regulations set by your local State.
Source Local Produce
Mass consumerism poses a problem for the environment; it destroys the earths’ resources at an increasing rate and becomes a challenge to restore. Being smart about what you buy, and where your local store sources its produce is a good indicator of how you are supporting the environment. Even buying local, seasonal, produce is much better for the environment than purchasing food harvested abroad.
For example, bananas which are delivered to your city, from Costa Rica require an extensive amount of travel which is damaging the environment. However, locally grown produce, sold nearby requires little to no transport. Therefore fewer fuel emissions are used in transportation to the consumers.
Reuse, Recycle and Compost
A broken bike does not need to be thrown away; it can be fixed, gifted to someone, or taken to a local thrift store. You don’t need to dispose of an abundance of cardboard boxes; they could be reused by a moving family member, or taken to a recycling center. Equally, food waste also has its uses for supporting the environment. A compost heap in the yard plays a great host for supporting local wildlife, providing habitats and food, plus it’s filled with nutrients that are perfect for supporting plants and trees.
Update Old Appliances
The mechanics of an old water filter requires and wastes an unnecessary amount of energy to heat water. To reduce the carbon footprint in your home, contact The Water Heater Company in Valley Village, CA, to assess the condition of your filter, and decide if it is something that you need to update in order to improve the sustainability of your home.
Blackout and Thermal Blinds
Rather than crank up the heater during the winter and the AC over summer, consider investing in adjustable blinds that, if used properly, can minimize the effect of the outside temperature in your home. Thermal blinds, for example, when closed, enable your home to retain heat and prevent it from escaping through the home’s exterior, or keep the heat outside as you cool your home.
Natural Cleaning Products
Using natural cleaning products such as baking soda, white vinegar, and lemon juice are kinder to the environment, and your health. Chemical cleaners, even those found on your local store shelf, contain non-biodegradable chemicals that ultimately leak into the water system, which jeopardizes our health, the health of the ocean life, and accumulates among the rising levels of toxic waste in the environment.
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Energy-efficient bulbs are just as effective as traditional bulbs, except they’re much kinder to the environment. Of course, only turning the lights on when needed is the first step to an eco-friendly home. But not only will they cut the cost of electricity in your home, but they are also more eco-friendly when disposed of.
If you feel you can only focus on only one of the suggestions above at a time, however minute the action, it will make a difference. The impact of one person’s lifestyle is not going to make much of a difference, but what we encourage and support to act on collectively will make the needed difference in the world.