One of the most common misconceptions that people harbor in their minds is that sustainability is asceticism. One needs to give up on luxuries and lead a life with only the basics. However, the truth is nothing close to this belief.
Sustainability is about using the natural resources thoughtfully just so that the coming generation could use them as well. Leading a sustainable life ensures that the natural stores of resources stay abundant for many years. It is also about tending to our home, our planet.
If you are looking forward to leading a sustainable life, here is how you can do it.
Save water
Conserve water if you wish to lead a sustainable life. Look for ways to save water and you will get a long list of options.
Install dual-flush or low-flush toilets. Switch to the water-saving showerheads and sink faucets with aerators. Use the latest clothes washers that provide water as per the load.
Keep a check on energy use
You can’t live a sustainable lifestyle unless you direct your motive to save energy. With a little diligence, you can reduce household energy use and lower your carbon footprint.
Switch the regular appliances and lights with energy-efficient appliances and LED lights. Turn the lights off when you are not using them. Use a thermostat that senses your presence and raises or lowers the temperature as per.
Use an electric kettle instead of using a stovetop kettle. Dry your clothes in the sun instead of drying them in the dryer.
Quit meat
You may not know that but eating meat impacts the environment negatively. Farming livestock is linked with global warming. Numbers say that it is responsible for the release of six billion tons of greenhouse gases, like methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide.
Instead of eating meat, switch to plant-based meat provided by the likes of Future Farm. The plant-based meat provided by them tastes delicious and is rich in nutrients.
Eat local food
By eating locally, you can make your life more sustainable. Exotic fruits and vegetables adorning the aisles of supermarkets may entice you, but remember that a lot of fossil fuel energy goes into transporting these fruits and vegetables from different corners of the world to your city.
Consume locally-grown food. It would be even better if you start growing your food.
Say goodbye to disposables
Today, plastic has seeped into our lives through disposable objects. One-time use items like razors, cups, bags, storage containers, cutlery, etc., are all made from plastic. Once serving their purpose, they find a way to land and sea and stay there for years polluting them.
One way to stop this is by not using disposables at all. Use objects that have a long shelf life so that you can use them for years and keep them from harming the environment. Switch your plastic bags with cloth bags, plastic food containers with glass containers, and disposable water bottles with glass bottles.
Recycle, reuse, resell, or donate
Make it a point to recycle every object that can be recycled. Find a good recycler for items like mobile phones, batteries, CFLs, and electronics.
Extending the life of a product is the best way to curb the use of single-use products. Hence, resell or donate the items you no longer use. You can donate clothing, electronics, books, toys, and other such items to either second-hand retailers or NGO organizations.
The bottom line
Our planet earth is undergoing dramatic changes that are negatively affecting every element of it. Sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity. With these measures, you can make your life more sustainable and do your bit for the environment.
Leave a Reply