By Hannah Clements, Newsletter Coordinator
Did you know the average carbon footprint for a person living in the United States is over 15 tons? That’s one of the highest averages in the world. The good news is, there are many feasible ways to improve our average and reduce our impact on the climate. So, if you are looking for ways to improve your carbon footprint and help prevent climate collapse, here are 10 ways you can achieve a more climate-friendly future and grow your sustainability. 1. Save Water According to the EPA, the average American household uses over 300 gallons of water each day. Since climate change has already exacerbated droughts, it is important (now more than ever) to reduce our water use wherever possible. You can make water-wise choices throughout your day. For example, take shorter showers, use a broom instead of a hose to clean walkways, turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth and only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. Please remember to turn off your sprinklers after it rains and avoid unnecessary toilet flushes (throw tissues away instead of flushing them). Every drop counts. 2. Grow your own herb garden and vegetable garden. Herbs and vegetables are essential in the kitchen but oftentimes, they are sold in single-use plastic containers. Not to mention, store-bought herbs tend to spoil quickly. Growing your own food provides an endless source of fresh produce right at your fingertips. Nothing beats the satisfaction of snipping some fresh parsley, sage, rosemary, or thyme and flavoring your dish with a little sustainability. 3. Consider Community Supported Agriculture Maybe you don’t have the time or space to grow your own vegetables and herbs. Not to worry. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to the rescue! CSA boxes are a wonderful alternative to growing it yourself. Usually a monthly subscription, CSA boxes are chock full of healthy fruits and vegetables directly from a local farm. CSAs save you time at the grocery store and provide you with ultra-fresh produce. Plus, since the food comes from local sources, it’s carbon impact is far less than food that has been imported from other countries. Search for a CSA near you and get ready to enjoy some delish local produce. 4. Eat Less Meat If you are a carnivore, you might be tempted to pretend you didn’t see this one. However, eating less meat leads to a more sustainable future. Raising cattle, pigs, and chicken requires far more water than grains or produce not only because of the water they drink, but also because of the water required to irrigate the fields which grow the grains to feed the livestock. Eating less meat saves water. 5. Rideshare Rideshare is a wonderful way to grow your sustainability (and maybe even your social network while you’re at it). Finding a buddy to commute with saves money on gas and reduces your carbon footprint. Plus, if you are not the one driving, you can multitask by answering emails or solving the daily Wordle. With a plethora of rideshare companies and apps to choose from, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs and gets you where you need to go. One fewer car on the road means less greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. 6. Weed Out Plastic Plastic is pervasive. It’s in our landfills, oceans, and waterways, but we can do better by making simple changes. Make the switch away from plastic whenever and wherever possible. Grow your sustainability by buying cotton produce bags, bamboo toothbrushes, reusable silicone food storage bags, and stainless steel straws. It’ll save you money overtime and it will reduce your impact on the environment. 7. Line Dry Your Clothes If you want to save money and save the planet, consider line drying your clothes. Not only does line drying reduce your energy use, it also helps your clothes last longer. With plenty of air drying products on the market, it’s easier than ever to dry your clothes and leave them fresh and wrinkle-free. 8. Plant Native Plants For years, our landscapes have been transformed by urbanization. Our lawns, sidewalks and paved streets were once ecologically productive habitats. Native plants preserve biodiversity because they form symbiotic relationships with wildlife. Next time you want to spruce up your backyard, consider using plants that are native to your area. 9. Forgo Fast Fashion Fast fashion is a term used to describe clothing that is mass produced quickly in order to get it to consumers while the demand is high. The problem is that fast fashion is associated with waste, pollution, and the idea that shoppers can buy and wear clothes for short periods of time before ditching them and buying even more. To avoid some of the pitfalls of fast fashion, ask yourself if you really need the item and see if you can purchase something similar second hand. 10. Use your voice Sign petitions, call legislators and share news about the actions you are taking with others. You can also spread the word by making a few phone calls. A phone call shows fellow climate activists that you care about them getting involved. It allows a new member to connect with a real person and ask questions. And, it allows us to learn about new members’ interests and availability. |