With Earth Day having come and gone, a lot of us may have experienced some eco-anxiety when thinking about the state of the planet. Fortunately, there are many ways to transform your anxiety into action by taking small, but consistent, steps! From buying second-hand when we can, to lessening our carbon footprint by taking public transport more often, becoming a sustainable individual is definitely not out of reach. By becoming more conscious and intentional with our ways of living, we can fulfil our basic needs without damaging earth or depleting it of its resources. Read on to see what you can do to help planet earth!
1. Save Energy
Saving energy is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to becoming more eco-friendly. Plus, it has the added bonus of requiring little effort! For example, turn off your light switches when they’re not needed or switch to LED light bulbs as they’re energy efficient and produce virtually zero UV emissions. When doing laundry, try washing your clothes in cool water and air-dry your clothes whenever possible! By doing these simple acts consistently, you can slowly but surely introduce sustainability into your lifestyle.
2. Drive Less
We all know how convenient driving can be—and necessary at times. But when it comes to shorter distances, try your hand at walking or biking to these destinations. Not only will you get some much-needed movement, but you’ll be able to lessen your carbon footprint, which impacts the amount of carbon dioxide you emit when consuming fossil fuels.
3. Change Your Products
Did you know that most mainstream cleaning products include harmful ingredients that damage the planet and its biodiversity? These ingredients can be found in detergents, foaming agents and preservatives that we might be using every time we clean our living spaces. Try swapping some of these products with alternatives that include no synthetic ingredients and that are natural.
4. Shop Smarter
When it comes to shopping smarter, try to shop local and from sustainable businesses with transparent processes. Educate yourself about harmful ingredients that cause damage to the earth and consider buying second-hand items. This is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and avoid buying things that will ultimately be collected into a landfill. Start thinking critically about the products you buy, like whether they’re ethically produced, high quality, and long-lasting.
5. Wear Sustainable Styles
When it comes to fashion, try experimenting with eco-friendly styles that look as good as they feel. A trend this year is Tencel, which is soft and sustainable. It’s wrinkle-resistant, durable, breathable, and is made from environmentally responsible processes. As a sustainable fibre, it’s a great alternative to add to your wardrobe while reducing environmental impact.
Laura
Laura | Petites | Plus | Melanie Lyne
So, there you have it! These five ways of becoming just a little more sustainable can create large waves of impact when done consistently. And who knows—maybe these actions are the start of something bigger. What are some ways you practice a sustainable way of life? Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from you.
