Environment

Five ways we can be more sustainable

Avatar photo

24 November 2021

By Josh P

When it comes to tackling climate change globally, one of the ways we can all contribute towards the battle is to improve our lifestyles. So, what are some of the things we can to to live a sustainable life?

5. Energy usage

Arguably a pretty obvious method of increasing your sustainability, monitoring your energy usage could have a big impact on your carbon footprint over time.

Fully turning off appliances you aren’t using and additionally monitoring things such as your home heating can have a great impact on how much energy you use. It might even save you money in the long run.

4. Food planning

Food planning can have a pretty major impact on our carbon footprints. Planning your weekly meals can help prevent excessive amounts of food waste and plastic waste.

In the UK alone in 2018, 9.5 million tonnes of food waste was produced. If we all worked towards reducing our food waste it could have a huge benefit for the environment.

3. Buying second hand

Buying second hand items can actually be a very good means of living a more sustainable lifestyle. This is especially true for clothing considering the extreme strain the fast fashion market can have on the environment.

Though it can be difficult to buy everything second hand if you’re able to do it here and there it can certainly be beneficial to the sustainability of your lifestyle.

2. Eat less meat

Though a contested topic, decreasing the amount of meat you consume on a weekly basis can have a pretty big impact on your carbon footprint. Considering that the meat and dairy industry contributes to 14.5% of global greenhouse emissions it is clear to see that it is a large problem.

It is hard to say you should convert fully to a vegan diet, but perhaps a more varied diet consisting of less meat would be a solid start towards improving sustainability.

1. Drive less

Perhaps one of the most effective ways of cutting down on your carbon footprint, driving less can help massively in the battle against climate change.

For small journeys, options like walking or cycling can help prevent emissions significantly. For further journeys, public transport can be key in lowering your individual emissions output.

Like this article? Please share!