When you open the newspaper or turn on the television nowadays, it seems that everything is going wrong. The environment is on the verge of destruction, our natural resources are dwindling, and pollution is out of control. The stakes are higher than ever before when it comes to environmental issues. With climate change, environmental disasters, and endangered species, the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants is at risk.
So, how can you become an Earthling? It starts with making a commitment to making positive changes in your life and the lives of those around you. So, what can you do to become a responsible Earthling? Well, here are the following ways that you can and should do as a responsible earthling:
- Ditching disposable plastic bags can make a huge difference in protecting the environment. Paper bags don’t break down in the environment and can’t be reused or recycled, and cloth bags are also not the answer. Fortunately, there are better alternatives. Use reusable shopping bags to carry groceries or hold a beach towel. Also, have a refillable water bottle with you instead of buying disposable plastic bottles of water. And avoid plastic bags as much as possible.
- Use digital bills and statements. As you continue your eco-friendly lifestyle, why not start reducing the amount of paper clutter in your life? You could use digital bills and statements (like e-bills/statements) and cut down the amount of paper you use by recycling.
- Normalize repurposing food containers. Since we live in a disposable society, a lot of old food packaging and containers like jars simply get thrown away. Although that will rarely occur in some cases, and it makes sense, most of the time, this is wasteful. Many canned foods, even those we use for storage, are recyclable and reusable. Instead of throwing them in the trash, you should repurpose these as containers.
- Try using rags. Your mother told you not to put everything in the washing machine or dryer, and it’s true: Not all fabrics are created equal when it comes to washing them. Fabric softener and dryer sheets can be costly, and paper towels are wasteful. Instead, try rags. They’re easy to make, cheap to buy, and work great for most purposes. They smell better, use less water, and get softer over time.
- Do your laundry in cold water. Did you know that washing clothes in cold water can save 80-95% on energy costs? That is huge! Not only does it save energy, but it also saves on water usage. And, the energy savings on washing clothes in cold water is actually greater than the energy used by the dryer. In fact, the energy savings on doing laundry in cold water is actually 10 to 20 times more than the energy used by the dryer.
- Driving slower is one of the ways to Become A Responsible Earthling by driving more conscientiously. When driving at higher speeds, we waste a lot more gas, especially on short trips. It’s much easier and less stressful to take your time while driving.
- Switch to sustainable energy practices. Energy wastage is expensive and can leave behind a significant carbon footprint. So, you should consider engaging in more sustainable practices. For one, you could switch your energy plans to one provided by a company that provides cleaner energy. Perhaps consider browsing through the Flagship Power Reviews to start. And second, you could install solar cells to power up your home’s systems. This is more cost and energy efficient, and has a significantly lower impact on the planet.
- Make use of Window Treatments.
You must have been wondering how to keep the most desired temperature inside your house without using your HVAC appliances. To achieve this goal, you can make use of window treatments, which can play a crucial role in keeping the desired temperature in the house by effectively controlling heat gain and loss. During hot weather, the right window treatments, such as blinds, shades, or Custom Shutters, can block and reflect sunlight, reducing solar heat gain and keeping the interior cooler. On the other hand, during cold weather, window treatments can provide an extra layer of insulation, preventing cold drafts and heat loss through the windows, thereby maintaining a warmer indoor environment. By strategically adjusting the window treatments based on the season and time of day, homeowners can achieve better temperature regulation, enhance energy efficiency, and create a more comfortable living space. - Open your windows and let some fresh air in. When you’re at home, it’s nice to be able to open your windows and let some fresh air in, but have you ever considered how much energy you’re wasting when you open a window? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), opening a window uses way less energy than turning on the air conditioning. The National Institute on Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) suggests you open windows on warm days at least twice a day. Open the windows to relieve indoor odors, crank the air conditioner up to encourage air circulation, or open the windows when cooking, showering, or drying clothes.
- Choose to buy organic. As an environmentally conscious and responsible individual, it’s important to support your local farmers and vendors whenever possible. Organic foods are grown without using chemical pesticides or herbicides and are designed to preserve the natural nutrients found within the food. Organic products come from animals raised free of antibiotics, growth hormones, and questionable feed.
- Service your HVAC systems. HVAC appliances have traditionally been the big contributors to carbon footprint, which is why regular tune-ups performed by professionals, such as those at sandri.com, can improve the life of your appliance and contribute to sustainable ecology. However, has anyone taken the time to understand the process behind this? We all know that powering air conditioners and furnaces would need juice. Both these appliances, when left unattended for a long time, can become dirty and consume more electricity and fuel. This does take a toll on the planet — think greenhouse gases, global warming, and more. Fortunately, you can prevent these by servicing your HVAC systems at regular intervals, ensuring they use only the energy they need. During a tune-up, HVAC technicians clean and inspect the components, ensuring they are functioning optimally. This helps the system operate more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Added benefits: your electricity bills will not go up; you would only need to source as much fuel as required — not more than that — from a COD supplier near you to run your furnace.
Did you know that the average person uses more toilet paper than the average person uses in an entire year? One billion trees die each year to make toilet paper, and for some, the idea of using that much toilet paper every year just doesn’t seem right.
As the environment continues to deteriorate, it’s up to each of us to be the change we want to see in the world. It starts with small, daily actions that each of us can take to help the environment. These actions include recycling, taking shorter showers, and reducing food waste.