4 Simple But Effective Ways You Can Help the Environment

You've seen the headlines from the recent years: the planet is dying, and it's the fault of humans around the globe. The climate is heating up, the oceans are more polluted than ever, and endangered species are dying at unprecedented rates. It's easy to feel helpless watching the world around you collapse.

But the reality is you don't have to feel so powerless; as the environment changes, so can you. There are countless small and simple lifestyle modifications you can make that will have a tremendous effect on the wellbeing of the environment. Here are just a few.

1. Save Energy At Home

Saving energy can be done simply by being extra conscious of when you're using unnecessary energy in your home. Turning off the lights when you leave a room, unplugging inactive appliances, turning off the water while you're brushing your teeth, and taking shorter showers are all effective energy saving tactics. If you want to take it a step further, you can transition to environmentally friendly solar energy in your household, with solar panels for everyday use and a solar power battery to act as backup energy in the case of a crisis.

2. Minimize the Use of Your Car

When you drive your car, you're also emitting carbon dioxide into the air, which is destructive to the environment. Therefore, minimizing how many miles you drive your car will have a massive positive impact, and there are lots of other alternatives to driving to work or to school every day.

Biking is the most beneficial alternative in terms of health and fitness, and you'll be killing two birds with one stone; biking allows you to get your workout in for the day while you are commuting. But if you're not a biker, you can check out public transportation. While public transportation is not always the most pleasant — you might find yourself squished in between a few smelly people every once in a while — the environmental upsides are worth it. Of course, you're going to have to use your car every now and then, but it's all about finding driving alternatives wherever you can.

3. Reduce Food Waste

Did you know that 40% of our food supply is thrown away? This food waste is horrible for the health of the environment, as the food from your trash can will end up sitting in a landfill and eventually turning into a harmful greenhouse gas called methane.

Reducing food waste is as easy as making sure you buy exactly the amount of groceries you need for the week; avoid overbuying so you don't end up tossing rotting tomatoes or broccoli. It's helpful to make a plan at the beginning of the week. If you do end up making too much food for yourself for dinner one night, which is bound to happen, just make sure you eat the leftovers the next day. You should also make sure to take home your leftovers if you eat at a restaurant, because otherwise they'll end up sitting in the trash.

4. Use Less Plastic

Plastic is one of the most destructive materials to the environment, and cutting out as much plastic from your life as possible is one of the most impactful things you can do. Stop using plastic straws and purchase a reusable metal straw instead. Bring reusable produce bags at the grocery store to avoid using the plastic ones, and opt for paper bags at checkout. Reuse plastic containers, like those of yogurt or juice, to store leftovers. Avoid using plastic bowls and cups at dinner parties, even if it makes cleanup easier. The bottom line is to use as little plastic as you can, and when you do have to use plastic, make sure it's reusable.

Conclusion

The environment is sacred, and it's critical that humans work to reverse the years and years of damage done to it. Follow these simple tips, and you'll be one step closer to being a climate justice warrior.