We’re often told that there in no other planet – this is it, it’s our home and we need to take care of it. But what does that really mean? It’s great to do a few things here and there, and as they say, every little helps, but what about doing more? What about doing as much as you can? It might feel like a chore, especially when there are lots of other things to worry about that might be fighting for space in your brain, but the planet is perhaps the most important of all, and not looking after it would be a huge mistake.
The good news is there are some changes you can make in your life – some big and some much smaller – that will actually make a difference in how well the planet is taken care of. The more people who adopt the same kind of changes, the better, but even if it’s just you for now, that’s a great start. So if you want to do your best for the planet and the environment, here are some of the changes you can make.
Go Vegan
Ah, the plant-based diet. It’s also going to be a little controversial, especially since many people do enjoy eating meat, and it’s definitely not something that everyone is going to be able to do, especially if they already have to deal with dietary restrictions or they’re on special diets for health matters, for example.
However, if you can go vegan and you like the idea of it, it’s definitely something that can help the planet, so if you’re currently on the fence, perhaps now’s the time to jump off and onto the plant-based side of food.
Why is eating meat and animal products an issue? It’s quite simple; the more meat we eat, the more demand there is for it, which means more animals have to be bred for food. More animals puts a strain on our resources, and on top of that, more animals means more methane in the air, and that’s bad for the environment. All in all, fewer animals is a better thing for the planet, and with fewer people eating meat, we can achieve that goal.
Even if you don’t want to adopt a fully vegan diet, what about just going meat-free once or twice a week? It’s better than nothing and if everyone did it, it really would make a difference. It may as well start with you.
Use Renewable Energy
Right now, most people use fossil fuels to heat their homes, drive their cars, and so on. The problem is that these resources are finite and one day they’re going to run out – that day is coming sooner rather than later because of the rate we’re using everything up. When these things have gone, that’s it – they’re gone, and that will leave the planet in a bad state.
That’s why using renewable energy makes a lot of sense. As the name suggests, renewable energy is energy that doesn’t run out, meaning you can use it as much as you need to without having to worry about damaging the planet. Renewable energy also tends to be clean energy too, so it doesn’t pollute as much, and that’s obviously a good thing as well.
One of the best ways to ensure you’re using renewable energy at home is to have solar panels installed. With these installed on the roof of your house, you can use them to convert the sun’s rays into sustainable energy that will power and heat your home. That’s a wonderful thing, but when you also include the fact that you can save money using this method, that has to make it a no-brainer.
Try Going Zero Waste
Trying out a zero waste lifestyle is a great way to protect the planet more, but it’s not something you can just do overnight, and you’ll need to come up with a plan to make sure you’ve got everything in place before you start. However, if you can make that plan and get motivated to begin living a zero waste lifestyle, you’re sure to be doing something good for the planet and, once again, for your bank balance – zero waste saves money.
What is zero waste? Essentially, living a zero waste lifestyle means not wasting a single thing – or at least not wasting as much as you can (you might have to throw some things out at some point, but if you’re able to manage zero waste as much as possible, it’s still positive. To ensure you have less waste, you’ll need to embrace some sustainable practices, but once you get into the habit, it won’t be so hard.
Some of the things you can do include having a compost heap in the garden so you can put all your food scraps and waste into it. Once the waste has rotted down, you’ll have a lovely compost to use in the garden, making growing your own fruit and vegetables much easier and more successful. You’ll also need to look at the packaging of anything you buy. It it’s plastic, for example, or it’s hard to recycle, you might want to avoid it. The good news is there are shops you can go to that let you take your own containers to full up and you pay for however much you buy. It’s a great idea that’s really starting to catch on.
Eco-Friendly Travel
The environment can be seriously damaged by vehicles and travelling, so this could be another big and important change to make in your life. If you own a car and you can’t sell it and use public transport instead (which is an excellent option – lots of people in one vehicle is better than lots of vehicles with just one person in them), then how about exchanging it for an electric version? That’s very sustainable, and there are plenty of incentives to help you fund the purchase.
As for air travel, that’s a real issue, and as much as going go foreign countries is exciting, if you want to take care of the planet then it’s better to stay closer to home. That’s okay, though, as exploring your own country can offer up some lovely adventures once you start planning what to do.