Sustainable living – is it only a buzzword, enough to understand the importance of the ongoing issue of climate change?
Not really.
Sustainable living is simply described as a practical lifestyle, taken up to preserve the resources of the earth for the upcoming generations to have resources to sustain life.
People who endorse sustainable lifestyle attempt to reduce their carbon footprint be it by altering methods of transportation, energy consumption, and diet.
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the aggregated measure of greenhouse gas being emitted (in tonnes) by an activity, organization, product or service. These emissions have detrimental effects on the environment.
In order for a sustainable tomorrow, reducing the carbon footprint is a crucial step we can take to ensure life within means for us and our upcoming generations.
Everyone has seen the devastating impacts of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, hampering economies, businesses, and most importantly lives!
But not the environment.
Experts have shown a significant drop in carbon emissions, and the improved quality of air and water due to industries, transportation including by road and air, and massive activities coming to a halt.
Now, reducing the carbon footprint may seem to link a daunting task, given how easy lives have become by using various appliances, and services. Or, many may question giving up certain actions, considering how they may not be playing their part. Or, how can they play a part as compared to the industries and factories emitting these gases?
You have more power than you think!
Graana.com breakdowns some easy hacks to help you understand the significance of carbon footprint and how you can reduce your carbon footprint at home.
Sustainable homes
- Incorporate air purifying plants
- Add a green quotient by setting up gardens and planting trees
- Take up cycling or walking to run small errands
- Reduce waste by segregating bins.
- Don’t put non-recyclables in the recycling bin
- Reuse and recycle items
- Save water by closing the taps while bathing, brushing teeth or washing hands
- Ensure timely maintenance of the house
Sustainable energy
- Use sustainable energy in terms of installing solar panels
- Switch off the lights when you leave a room
- Replace light bulbs with LED lights
- Buy energy-efficient appliances
- Unplug appliances when not in use, e.g. microwave, switchboards, TV switches, mobile charges
- Give the ACs a break and open a window in summers
- In winters, open the curtains and allow sunlight to enter for insulation
- Turn of extra lights, and appliances when you’re not at home
Sustainable kitchen
- Choose organic food to minimise the risk of pollution to the environment caused by chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides
- Looking for activity while staying at home due to COVID-19? Grow your food, and/or herb garden
- Ditch plastic-packaged food
- Use cloths instead of paper towels
- Reduce your food waste by planning meals accordingly
- Repurpose glass jars
- Convert kitchen waste into compost
- Waste segregation
There are more than 100 ways to reduce carbon footprint. Changing how you live, where you live, what you eat, wear, or how you travel – every small thing has an impact.
You might not get to directly see the impact your choices have on the environment. You may need more motivation to make a few lifestyle changes. You may not watch your impact on the Earth go down in a quantifiable way. But it does not mean that all these don’t account for anything.
If not for yourself, learn to act for those who are to walk this earth after us and over.
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