5 small steps you can take you to live a greener, healthier life

Are you tired of living a wasteful lifestyle? Did you know that the estimated annual carbon footprint of a common US resident is an astonishing 20 metric tons? These statistics are enough to motivate us to make a resolution and lead a greener, healthier life. However, making sudden and big changes can seem a bit overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take a step forward.

Rest assured, you have already taken the most difficult step, and that is deciding to make a positive change. If you focus on smaller changes, then the journey to transition to a more eco-friendly life will be much easier. Here are some easy and small steps that you can make in your everyday life to lead a more green and eco-friendly lifestyle:

1- Conserve water

Water is one of the most vital resources of the earth. With more and more countries suffering droughts, it has become more important than ever to save water. Even if you are living in a country where there is no water shortage yet, it is your duty as a human being to cut down on your water usage. Not only will you save money on your utility bill but it will also help conserve a scarce resource.

Unfortunately, the common American household uses 400 gallons of water per day! It is a shame because water needs a lot of energy to be conserved. From pumping waters to purifying it and bringing it into your home- this whole process sucks up a lot of resources.

By incorporating a few small changes in your daily routine, you can save a lot of water. For example, make a conscious effort to take short showers, fix leaking pipes immediately, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, collecting rainwater for gardening and so on.

Even if you can’t do everything at once, just pick a few things to start with and keep adding more ways to save water in your daily routine.

 

2- Switch to solar power

Solar power is an upcoming trend in renewable energy. In fact, according to a survey, solar installations have recently doubled in the US and broken records of previous years. Apart from the obvious savings in utility bills, there are many other reasons why you should start using solar power instead of fossil fuels. Firstly it is good for the environment and can help reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, it also a great step to contribute to a more sustainable and greener earth.

By investing in solar installations, you can easily save yourself from unpredictable electricity shutdowns and hikes in bills. What’s more, solar technology has advanced so much that you can literally control a solar power system through an app like scoop solar.

 

3- Change your travel habits

According to research carried out by the Union of concerned scientists, personal vehicles are a number one cause of global warming. You will be shocked to know that collectively cars and heavy vehicles contribute to nearly one-fifth of all US carbon emissions. This equals around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other hazardous gases for every one gallon of gas a car uses.

If you want to take a step towards a more greener lifestyle, then start exploring alternative ways to travel. By making simple changes such as using a bicycle or walking to work, you can bring a huge difference in the bigger picture.  

If your workplace is far away, then choose fuel-efficient travel options like public transport or carpool with other people.

 

4- Buy locally grown produce

Choosing to buy locally grown produce and support the farmers’ market plays a vital role in carbon mitigation. Did you know that usually, food travels thousands of miles before it winds up on your plate? Experts recommend that opting for local food is one of the biggest solutions to reduce global warming. And it isn’t even that difficult. Not only will you be eating fresh and natural food but it will also contain fewer preservatives and pollutants because of easy accessibility.

Support locally grown products and shop from dairies and farms near your home. It will not only help reduce your carbon footprint but will also support a stronger community spirit.

5- Stop Littering

We can’t stress the importance of this point. Stop littering. Litter is simply waste out of place. Unfortunately, plastic wrappers and garbage that is thrown carelessly across the roads is a common sight. Piles of garbage on roadsides are not only ugly to look at, but also pollute the air.

One of the easiest ways to maintain the environment and keep your surroundings clean is to stop littering.  Teach children and adults alike the repercussions of throwing trash outside the dustbin. Read this blog to learn more about litter prevention and how can you keep your surroundings clean.

 

Conclusion:

As we discussed earlier, start small but make a point to build on it slowly. When you start making the initial changes in your lifestyle, it may be a bit difficult. But slowly you’ll start noticing positive changes in yourself and your surroundings that will motivate you to take on larger changes! Leaving greener earth behind is the least we can do for our next generation.

Once you have hopped on the cause, you can also start educating others about the importance of living an environmentally friendly life. The more people you convince to lead a greener lifestyle, the greener the earth will be!

Are you ready to incorporate these 5 small steps to lead a greener and healthier life? Or are you already making a conscious effort to reduce your carbon footprint and conserve natural resources? Share some of your energy conserving tips and tricks with us in the comments below:

Author Bio:

Evie Harrison is a blogger by choice.  She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs. Find her on Twitter:@iamevieharrison