If you’re like most of us, then you quite like the environment, and you’d like to do what you can to preserve it. But you don’t want to radically alter your lifestyle overnight. Isn’t there a way to be more environmentally-conscientious without doing much differently? The answer is a conditional yes: if everyone took a few of the steps we’re going to outline here, then the natural world would almost certainly in far better shape. And they’re not all that galling!
Eat less meat
In the UK, we eat far more meat than we really should. The fact is that it’s delicious, and, thanks to the ubiquity of American-style fast food, it’s easy to get one’s hands on. But the environmental cost of widespread consumption is catastrophic. It means habitat loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s ethically questionable, to say the least. Now, you don’t need to go full vegan overnight. That would be unrealistic. What you can do is start cooking more meatless meals. Think about falafel, chickpea curry, grilled haloumi, or crispy seaweed from your local Chinese. When you find something that really takes your fancy, work it into your weekly rota.
Fly Less
Per mile travelled, flying pollutes far more than every other form of transport. Now, if you’re having to cross the Atlantic every other weekend for work, then this might be unavoidable. But most of us can cut down by simply holidaying locally. If you’re heading to mainland Europe, then take the train instead. Or you can stay in the UK and avoid this problem altogether: after all, when you haven’t seen everything that this country has to offer, is it worth going to visit another?
Recycle
Landfill places a tremendous burden on the environment. It’s unsightly, it smells bad and has all manner of other detrimental consequences. Moreover, think about the environmental cost of manufacturing all of those plastic bottles, only for so many of them to find their way into the sea!
Plant Your Own garden
Creating and maintaining your own garden is a wonderful way to embrace environmental friendliness. By growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you reduce reliance on store-bought produce that may have been transported long distances, thereby minimizing carbon emissions associated with transportation. Additionally, gardens contribute to cleaner air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. They also provide habitats for various beneficial insects! Get your own honey bees and add them to your garden (along with other bee essentials) to promote pollination. Gardens also offer opportunities for composting organic waste, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Up-cycle
If you think that your coffee table is looking a bit on the rustic side, then you might be tempted to scrap it and head down to your local furniture outlet for a replacement. But you might be able to get similar results by ‘up-cycling’ other old items of furniture that you have lying around. This practice involves taking something old, modifying it to fit a different setting, and giving it a new lease of life. You’ll find plenty of up-cycling inspiration via the internet, so why not get started right away?
Insulate
Anything that can be done to lower your energy bills is going to lessen the burden on the environment. Less energy needs to be generated, and therefore less pollutants need to be expelled into the atmosphere. Cavity wall insulation, double-glazing, a modern condensing boiler, and loft insulation will all have a positive effect. If you want to go as far as solar panel installation, then getting a local electrician in can make the process a great deal easier.
A collaborative post
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