It’s no secret that we’re facing irreversible changes to the climate. As a result of hundreds of years’ worth of greenhouse emissions – particularly from large oil companies – it’s becoming almost impossible to imagine a healthy, stable recovery for the Earth.
Some of these changes are beyond our control. However, there are a few things that we can do to make our own homes more eco-friendly and reduce our carbon footprints: as a community, we can feel the benefits of living sustainably. In this guide, we’ve listed a few of the ways in which you can do just that.
Use renewable energy
Swapping from traditional fuel sources will help to reduce both your impact on the environment and the amount that you spend every month to power your home. Furthermore, with gas prices rising exponentially, now is the best time to consider switching to solar or wind-powered energy.
However, if you’re going for a complete overhaul and installing solar panels on your home, you’ll need to seriously consider your finances. Although these options will prove to be great long-term investments for you and for the planet, the initial installation costs can come at a premium.
Grow your own
Starting your own vegetable patch can be a great way to cut down the impact that your food has on the environment. By cutting out the unnecessary packaging – plus the fuel and energy that it takes to transport it from its place of origin to your kitchen – you’ll benefit from delicious, organic food.
With recent reports proving that a plant-based diet is one of the best investments for the climate, cutting out meat is also a no-brainer if you’re serious about being more sustainable.
Discover upcycling
Rather than buying new furniture or appliances, why not consider more sustainable options like buying second-hand items? Whether you choose to visit local charity shops, online marketplaces or car-boot sales, something should catch your eye quickly.
Giving a new lease of life to an old item of clothing or furniture is known as upcycling and can be an incredibly rewarding process. Not only could you end up with a useful addition to your home but you could pick up a few handiwork skills along the way, too.
Choose energy-efficient lightbulbs
It’s not always easy to know which products are genuinely better for the planet.
However, LED bulbs are far more energy-efficient than their predecessors, producing far fewer greenhouse emissions and able to be used in most modern light fixtures. This makes them a fantastic option for anyone looking to cut down on energy bill costs and make their home eco-friendlier.
The bottom line
Making small changes to the way you live might not be able to make a difference on a global scale. However, through forming eco-friendly habits and sharing them with your family and friends, it’s not too late to start making a difference locally – and it’ll make you feel good, too.
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