Living sustainably is not just about reducing waste – it’s about leading by example. Drastic lifestyle changes are needed in order to curb carbon emissions and offset global warming, and that change starts with you.
The changes don’t even have to be that drastic, to begin with – just a few minor adjustments can reduce your carbon footprint as well as significantly reduce waste. If you want to get started with saving the planet, here are three simple ways to live life more sustainably.
1. Eat Sustainably
Your diet may well be your biggest contribution to climate change. Animal agriculture and intensive farming for products such as corn, avocados, and palm oil are among the biggest polluters on the planet. To live more sustainably, cut these foods out of your life. Perhaps the most important action to take is to reduce your meat intake by as much as you can manage.
You don’t have to go the full vegan route just yet, but you should definitely reduce your red meat intake to a minimum, as the beef industry is a major polluter. Thanks to modern technology, if you’re missing the taste of a juicy burger, you can sink your teeth into a Beyond Meat patty, made of 100% sustainable plant ingredients, and you won’t even notice the difference.
2. Shop Sustainably
Alongside agriculture, the fast fashion industry is one of the worst culprits for global pollution. Research conducted by Betway concluded that fast fashion giants are among the biggest polluters in history, dumping 3.2 billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere last year. To help show these companies that sustainability is important, shop sustainably.
Make a point of only buying clothes from companies that are 100% sustainable and pay their workers fairly. Better yet, stop buying new clothes altogether and opt for second-hand or recycled garments. Using your wallet to make yourself heard works, as evidenced by the ambitious sustainability plans put out by giants such as Nike, Zara, and H&M this year.
3. Move Sustainably
Another simple way to make a dramatic difference to your carbon footprint is to travel sustainably. You might notice that the travel sections in popular newspapers such as The Guardian have recently been providing details of how to get to vacation destinations without flying.
This is because air travel is having catastrophic effects on the environment, meaning we’ll all have to fly less if we want to save the planet. That means opting for the more adventurous routes – which is never a bad thing. For example, instead of hopping on an EasyJet flight to Spain for your next holiday, opt for an overland train route and make the journey part of the travel experience.
If you follow these simple tips, you’ll find that you’re polluting considerably less than the average person. Become a positive example and start living sustainably today.
