Transition to a More Sustainable Lifestyle
5 Things You Can Easily Do to Transition to a More Sustainable Lifestyle
Written by: Derek Goodman of Inbizability
As sea levels and temperatures rise, so does the discussion on climate change. But regardless of where you stand in the global warming argument, there’s no denying that you, your family, and the planet all stand to benefit by pursuing a more sustainable lifestyle. The earth-saving perks are well-known and plenty, as are the economic and health advantages.
Thankfully, the pursuit of a greener life does not require overly drastic changes to your routine and habits, but rather, ones that are more thoughtful and more in line with good, old-fashioned common sense. Love, Peace, & Bling is pleased to offer a few that you can start today.
Mind what you consume.
Our World in Data explains that over a full quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions comes from food production. For this reason, eating less meat is encouraged. But, of course, not everyone can switch to a meatless, plant-based diet, making sustainable food growing and buying practices that minimize waste more necessary than ever.
The success of a greener and more sustainable food economy relies heavily on accessibility at a local level. More cities are starting to appreciate the necessity, too, as they’re making it easier for eco-friendly and health-conscious individuals to source affordable and organic local produce through seasonal markets and similar projects.
Even technology has jumped on the bandwagon. Discerning consumers can now easily find organic and healthy food from local sources, as well as meal ideas and recipes, through food apps like Farmdrop, Happy Cow, and more.
Mind your waste.
Equally a huge part of sustainable living is waste reduction. By now, you have likely come across buzzwords like ‘zero waste,’ as well as numerous calls to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle.’ These barely scratch the surface of reducing waste, though.
There’s little doubt that pollution from single-use plastics is the most pressing concern, and this has since given birth to various innovations centered around ‘reusables,’ running the gamut from cutlery to water bottles, shopping bags to meal packaging, toothbrushes to razors.
Even organic waste shouldn’t be ignored. Composting turns waste from your kitchen and garden into food for the soil that’s rich in nutrients and infinitely more valuable than commercial fertilizers. It’s an important step in achieving a circular economy right in your own home.
Mind your home.
You can make great headway toward a more sustainable lifestyle by considering your home’s energy efficiency. Unplugged notes that a well-insulated home can significantly reduce your carbon footprint while keeping your energy bills down and saving you a considerable amount of money in the process.
An effective and easy way to do all these is by getting a smart thermostat, which also cleverly learns temperature preferences and even patterns. With that information, it’s able to optimize your household heating and cooling with minimal effort or intervention on your part.
Another easy-to-use switch is energy-efficient LED light bulbs. They offer a longer lifespan than traditional incandescent while also burning less energy, and there is no concern of cyber criminals using them to access your personal data.
Keep in mind that when you’re making changes to your home, you want to ensure that it’s still a place where you can rest and recharge. Self-care is extremely important, so make sure your home still feels like a home after you’ve addressed its sustainability.
Mind your workplace.
Positive change doesn’t need to be limited to your personal life. Reach out to your employer to see if shifts can be made in your workplace — energy efficient light bulbs and better use of heating and cooling systems makes sense for everyone. Or, if you’re the one calling the shots, you might even wish to consider relocating your enterprise to an especially eco-friendly location.
Cities like New York, Denver, Salt Lake City and New Orleans are highly-rated options, thanks to aspects like walkability, bikeability and use of sustainable energy sources.
Mind how you travel.
And finally, how you move from one place is also a huge factor in living an eco-friendlier lifestyle. The Eco Guide notes much of your carbon footprint comes from using your car, making it important, indeed, to start driving less.
This is easier said than done, of course, but there are actually many alternatives to driving that not only help save the earth but also do wonders for your health, such as biking and walking. Carpooling and taking public transportation are also sustainable options, too—not to mention, cost-effective.
A greener and more sustainable life requires commitment and no small measure of adjustment. It can even be quite inconvenient to some. But with undeniable benefits that the planet and everyone in it—including you—will enjoy, the life-changing shift can be a small price to pay in the long run.
Photo via unplash.com
