Shifts in weather patterns, pollution and reducing waste seem to grab headlines daily but may leave you wondering what any of that has to do with you and your world. Maybe you do your part and live by the three R’s. Maybe the green revolution left you rolling your eyes at yet another trend in the making. Either way, the reality is such that we would all be better off if we took small steps to green our lives, reducing overall waste and consumerism.
With that in mind, we have compiled a list of easy, do-able things you can do with minimal effort and that result in huge impact. Who doesn’t like that?
- Set your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in the winter. Apart from saving on your energy bills, you’ll be reducing your usage in a significant way long term. While you are at it, unplug appliances when you aren’t using them.
- Consider walking or biking your way in to work instead of driving. You’ll be reducing car pollution and again, save money on gas, parking not to mention saving yourself a whole lot of hassle navigating though downtown traffic.
- Be smart about what you eat. If you are a meat eater, consider cutting back on it once a week to save on related environmental and health costs. Think about buying local to support your area farmers and to reduce the transportation costs and pollution of bringing food that is farther away, closer to you.
- The bottled water industry is big business. It’s also a source of huge amounts of waste so do yourself and the environment a favour and pick up a glass, reusable bottle to stay hydrated.
- How many of us forget about the libraries in our area? Consider it as an alternative to purchasing books and movies or go online. In this case, it’s about changing the way you consume products.
- Every minute in your shower sees five galloons of water go down the drain. Cut down your shower by just a minute and you are making one massive difference in the long run. Get everyone in your family to do the same and the savings add up.
- Receive and pay your bills online. Many companies offer this option to their customers to reduce printing, paper, transportation and overall costs.
