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1. Go easy on the meat
A juicy steak can be tough to resist. But you don't have to give up meat for life. Start by committing to one meat-free day a week. It will be great for your heart and lower your risk of getting cancer. Did you know that it takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef? And each hamburger that comes from animals on ex-forestry ground is responsible for the destruction of fifty-five square feet of forest.
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2. Get turned on by dark fantasies
Saving electricity is easier than you may think. Shutting off or unplugging unused electronics and switching to energy efficient light bulbs are simple ways to reduce the amount of power you use. If every household in the U.S replaced just one light bulb, it would reduce pollution by the same amount as removing one million cars from the road!
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3. Go 'Au Naturel'
Reducing our plastic usage is crucial as only 9% of all plastic in our world is recycled, including the plastic that is put in recycling bins. Each day 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans. Simply carrying a canvas bag when shopping, buying whole rather than packaged foods, using a reusable water bottle and not using plastic straws can go a long way towards a more sustainable future.
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4. Always go for a full load
Water is a very important aspect of our daily lives. By saving water, not only do we reduce our water bills, we also reduce carbon emissions as it takes a lot of energy to clean, pump and heat your water. Simple ways to reduce your water usage include taking shorter showers, switching off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing full loads when doing your laundry or using your dishwasher.
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5. Screw the mile high club
Carefully choosing your method of transportation is an important act towards a sustainable future. Air travel is one of the leading sources of all U.S greenhouse emissions. Consider cutting down on flying, and for shorter hauls, use public transit, a bicycle, or rideshare with a friend. Fill up your car with cleaner fuel, drive a hybrid or electric vehicle.
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6. Use a second hand
Buying second hand means you'll help keep plastic out of landfills and positively contribute to the decrease in worldwide textile demand and subsequent waste. Through thrift shopping, you keep the resources invested in all of these clothing items from going to waste. Buying second hand consumes less energy, reduces carbon footprints, and uses fewer chemicals. And as a bonus: you'll save money while getting that hot authentic vintage look.
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7. Spread your seed
Today's deforestation is happening at an alarming rate, with close to 30 soccer fields worth of trees lost every minute. By planting trees in your garden or through an environmental organization, you can help tackle the climate crisis by taking CO2 out of the atmosphere. As trees grow, they absorb and store carbon dioxide emissions that are driving global heating. Annually, an acre of trees absorbs the amount of CO2 equal to driving your car 26 000 miles.
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8. Swallow all of it
One-third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted globally each year, yielding 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2. Apart from wasted meals, all the resources required to produce the food is also wasted: vast amounts of water, land, and fuel for powering harvest and transportation. Throwing away a bruised apple is equal to pouring 125 litres of water down the drain. Thinking twice when going grocery shopping or cleaning out your fridge can have a big impact.
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9. Use me over and over again
Getting better at recycling is a must. Recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours and requires 95% less energy and water than it does to produce a can from virgin material. Make sure your home and office are outfitted with recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal. Sometimes the convenience factor is all that is needed for impactful change.
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10. Sharing is sexy!
If there's only one thing we as humans should agree on, no matter where you're from or what beliefs you hold, it would be that we all want a livable planet in the future. All of us can do something to stop the climate crisis and we need to start now. Make sustainable choices a part of your daily life. Educate and inspire your family, friends, and colleagues. Together we can unfuck our planet!
