We only have one planet, and it’s the responsibility of each of us to take care of it and ensure that it remains habitable for as long as possible for future generations. Our overuse of fossil fuels and the amount of waste in landfill sites has led to an increase in the production of methane, a leading greenhouse gas.
Killing the Planet
This increase in greenhouse gases within our atmosphere has contributed to global warming and climate change. The average global surface temperatures in the first six months of 2017 rose 0.94°C above the 1950–1980 average, according to NASA, which can be linked to an increase in flooding, wildfires, monsoons, and storms across certain parts of the world.
Most of us are aware that we should be living greener lives, but many people struggle with knowing exactly what that means. Some people may also be reluctant to make eco-friendly changes to their daily lives because they don’t believe that their small efforts will have any sort of impact. If everyone has this same negative attitude then nothing will change; however, if more and more people begin to make positive changes and understand that they are part of a bigger picture, it can help to make a much-needed difference to the environment and the future of our planet.
Eco-Friendly Changes
Being greener and more eco-friendly in your day to day life doesn’t need to involve huge changes or excessive financial output. There are lots of little things that everybody can do, which might seem insignificant at first, but these things will eventually add up and have a positive impact in helping to fight climate change.
You can start your eco-friendly life today without even leaving the house by implementing some of the following changes:
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room to help you consume less energy – this will also save you money on your utility bills in the long run!
- Unplug any appliances and chargers that are not currently being used – even when they’re not actively drawing power from the grid, they’ll still be using up small amounts of energy for no good reason.
- Cut down on unnecessary paper waste by switching to paperless billing and bank statements – many companies even offer a small discount for customers who manage their accounts solely online.
- Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth to stop perfectly good, clean water from going straight down the drain and having to be processed and cleaned again.
- Wash your clothes at 30°C to save energy – unless your clothes are heavily soiled, this lower temperature is more than enough to keep your laundry clean and fresh.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to going green. Mainland Aggregates have created this infographic which lists 101 simple ways to be more eco-friendly today. From using public transport and taking reusable shopping bags to the supermarket, to recycling your waste and turning your thermostat down, many of these tips are simple to integrate into your daily life!
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