By 2050, it is believed the oceans will contain more plastics than fish. We’re already seeing the effects of global warming on our glaciers and coral reefs, while air pollution and deforestation are putting at risk the lives of millions around the world.
It's not all doom and gloom, though — it's not too late for us to turn things around. Scientists say that if we act now, we can still limit the worst effects of climate change.
Plus, living an eco-friendly life can also save you money. Below are some tips to start practicing a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Buy Sustainably
Quitting fast fashion is one of the best ways to practice eco-friendly living. Thrifting and buying second-hand clothes extend their lifetime and prevent them from ending in a landfill. The use of second-hand clothes reduces carbon emissions and saves resources, water, and energy.
Fast fashion is detrimental to the environment and choosing to buy second-hand can reduce some of those effects. Giving items a third or fourth life is an excellent way to continue living sustainably.
Use A Clothesline
Replacing your air dryer by drying your clothes using a clothes rack or a clothesline can drastically reduce the average household's carbon emissions. It is easy to find well-designed accessories for indoor drying at any store.
While throwing a pile of wet laundry into the clothes dryer is convenient, it also uses a huge amount of energy. When using your dryer, you can make it an eco-friendlier experience by using lower heat settings and a setting that shuts the dryer off when the clothes are dry.
Grow Plants
There is no such thing as too many plants in your home. Houseplants have become an increasingly popular interior design feature, but they also offer many environmental benefits. From releasing oxygen, reducing mold spores, and removing formaldehyde released from carpets and furniture, house plants will also clean the air and decrease your overall carbon footprint.
Sustainable living starts with an appreciation for nature, and scattering house plants around your living space is a great way to begin. Planting your garden with vegetables and herbs is an excellent way to increase your sustainability.
Buy Your Food Locally
Practicing eco-friendly living starts with small and simple changes to your living, like shopping habits. Choosing to buy organic from local farmers and businesses is a great first step. This practice increases the eco-friendliness of your home by decreasing the carbon footprint of how food gets into your home.
By buying from your local farmers markets, you not only support your local farmers, you have access to the freshest fruits and vegetables. It is a win for everyone.
Use More Eco-Friendly Products
Cleaning products like soap and shampoo get washed down the drain and into the ocean. Choosing products with non-synthetic, natural, and biodegradable ingredients makes eco-living practical and impactful. Regular shampoos and soaps often have ingredients that are toxic to nature and could end up in the ocean, damaging the biodiversity in nature.
There are many options for buying environmentally sustainable products. Swapping your regular products for sustainable ones is a great way to practice eco-friendly living.
Making a few small and simple changes to your daily living can significantly decrease your carbon footprint, enabling you to do your part in preserving the environment. With a few changes, you can meaningfully contribute towards making the planet well again. Your changes don’t have to be complicated, but consistency and determination mean they can significantly and positively impact the environment.
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