5 small changes to reduce your daily environmental impact

It’s hard to look away from the climate crisis, it is happening now. I live in Vancouver, BC, and have seen the impacts of heat waves and wildfires during the summer, and recently, flooding and mudslides.

Since the climate crisis is an extremely important subject, it can feel overwhelming to tackle this subject as an individual. How do you even know where to begin? You’re just one person, after all. The amount of information can lead to analysis paralysis.

So I’ve gathered some tips on small changes you can make in your day-to-day to reduce your daily carbon footprint. I hope this helps you to start taking action and reflect on your impact.

Easy as 1, 2, 3...

1. Reusable coffee filter

If you love coffee (like me), there are a few ways you can reduce the impact of your coffee addiction. Sources like plastic coffee pods or a daily disposable coffee cup from your local coffee shop can quickly add up.

One change you can make is to replace your paper coffee filter, which goes through chemical processes and creates waste volume, for a reusable coffee filter. There are a variety of options available, ranging from cloth filters to ceramic cones, which are practical and make for a delicious taste. You can also use a sock if you prefer that :-)

2. If you are not using it, turn it off

If this is not yet a habit for you, it’s an easy one to acquire: Whenever you are leaving a room, practice turning off the lights and any electrical devices like the TV.

Similarly, when you are brushing your teeth or washing the dishes, turn off the tap when you are not using it. You can also reduce your shower time (I usually let a couple of songs playing on my phone to time myself in a fun way) and only run your dishwasher when it’s full.

3. Switch plastic water bottles for a reusable bottle

Did you know that one million plastic bottles are bought in the world every minute? I’ll let that sink in for a second.

If your tap water is safe to drink, you should definitely be taking advantage of that! Avoid an average of up to 156 plastic bottles per year by having your own reusable water bottle.

4. Leave a reusable shopping bag in your hallway

While many of us have reusable bags, it’s easy to forget to carry them with you when you head to the supermarket and end up having to take plastic bags home.

So get into the habit of having a reusable tote bag in your bag, backpack, car, or the hallway. Make the tote bag accessible and set yourself up for success!

The 2 more challenging actions:

5. Create exercise opportunities and avoid taking the car

I know this is not doable for everyone; the idea is to reduce, not necessarily to cut it altogether. My go-to approach to this is: Can I go to my destination by walking?

Try to make this fun or simply see it as an opportunity for exercising: Go walking, biking, or running, and invite a friend or significant other to come along!

6. Think before you buy & get used stuff

Ask yourself, do I really want/need this? Or am I just being persuaded by marketing techniques, or wanting to impress my friends? If you have the time and opportunity to do so, try to take a day or two to think it over if you need to, depending on the purchase.

When buying new items, such as clothing, look for quality rather than fast fashion. Get pieces you truly love and that will last you for years, rather than tear apart in one wash. You can also opt for second-hand items that can be less expensive and will avoid ending up in the landfill.

These are some ideas to help you get started. Don’t get discouraged by the amount of information (and many times, guilt) that is out there, remember that a little can go a long way and try to do your best!

Other resources:

If you are interested in learning more, here are some other resources you can look at for further information:

• Carbon Footprint
• Gold Standard
• Carbon fund