The Everyday Things People Should Be Doing for the Environment
By Katherine Oakes
via When it comes to the environment, our human activity is as capable of altering it in a bad way as it is in a great way. Sometimes these larger issues feel out of our control and so overwhelming that we abandon it entirely. Although the health of our planet is fragile, our everyday habits and purchasing power can change that for the better. By paying close attention to these few things, you’ll soon be making huge strides and most likely encouraging others to do the same, igniting a greater change than you thought possible!
Here are 4 everyday things you can do to help the environment:
Be an Efficient Commuter
In our culture, cars and transportation are seen as easy, convenient, and there for us when we need them. This is certainly true insofar that their sole purpose is to transport us to where we need to be; what’s not considered is just how frequently we should be using them and in what ways. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fossil fuel emissions from transportation alone is the second largest source (accounting for 31%) of air pollution. If you regularly drive a car, be sure to go easy on the brakes and gas pedal, avoid spending more than thirty seconds idling, and unload unnecessary items to keep the car as light as possible for the best fuel economy and least amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Of course, do your best to avoid driving more than you need to, and consider carpooling or public transportation whenever possible.
Use Water Mindfully
At Modernize, we see energy efficiency as environmentally and financially positive. So it comes as no surprise that at the very top of the EPA’s list of the most carbon emissions is electricity. This may seem very broad, but consider what you use every day at home and the answer should be easy: water. It takes a lot of energy to pump, treat, and heat water—and that doesn’t even take into account how much water goes to waste. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water a day and cost you even more. Start simple and minimize your consumption of water by turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth, only running full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, and watering your lawn in the early morning when the soil will absorb it best.
via Modernize
Use Biodegradable and Non-toxic Products
Despite what it took to manufacture, produce, and deliver your clothes to you, about 80-90% of environmental impact comes after you buy them. Many laundry detergents and fabric softeners are petroleum-based, which—aside from being a contaminant—is a non-renewable resource that does not biodegrade. It also contains harmful phthalates and synthetic fragrances that are dangerous carcinogens. This goes for many other cleaning products that are meant to be used in water like dish soap, home cleaning products, and even those we use on our body. All these eventually make their way down the drains and into our waterways that empty out into the ocean, the number one combatant against carbon emissions—and we are sadly disarming and polluting it. The very bright side of all this is that you can take back control by educating yourself on harmful chemicals to watch out for (ewg.org is a great resource) and purchase safe, clean products.
via Abeego
Ditch Single-Use, Disposable Plastics
Consider the amount of plastic you consume and dispose of on a daily basis. Those little plastic wrappers on the top of your drink or around your gum, the plastic sandwich baggie or Saran Wrap you used for lunch today—all that and more. As a global population, we use about a trillion plastic bags—and that’s just the bags! For a material that’s in so many products, it’s crazy to think that it doesn’t biodegrade—and moreover that it’s made to be disposable after a single use. Here’s the good news: You can change that. Swap out your plastic utensils and coffee or tea mugs for reusable versions and eliminate plastic wrap with beeswax food wrap or reusable containers, and completely avoid plastic bags by bringing your own. There are so many resources available to help you implement change, and even more cities and towns are banning the use of plastic bags for commercial consumption. Now that’s what we call progress.
Katherine Oakes is a writer, yoga instructor, and vocalist living in Northern New Jersey.
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