How to Support Environmentally Conscious Efforts When You’re Young and Broke

The number of environmental challenges facing the planet is daunting at times: climate change, ocean acidification, plastic pollution, and food wastage — just to name a few. While many nonprofits and eco-conscious groups continue to make a concerted effort to reverse or minimize the challenges our planet faces, many young adults are wondering how they can help too. 

 

Wanting to leave the planet a better place than you found it is an admirable commitment, and quite frankly, necessary in order for future generations to continue thriving on Earth. However, for some young activists trying to make a difference, eco-consciousness can seem expensive. Luckily, you don’t have to shop at whole foods, install solar panels on your roof, or donate large amounts of money in order to make a difference. In fact, for many people on a strict budget, you might already be doing your part to reduce your footprint by utilizing certain money-saving habits.

 

As Pandora Thomas, an environmental consultant and advocate, puts it, “a lot of what we call ‘environmentally friendly practices’ are things people of low means do because they have to. You’re saving things and you’re trying to cut corners here and there, so you’re using less products [and spending less money] in general.” For people living on a budget, it’s practically second nature to turn off the lights when you leave a room, or to reuse bottles and containers, or even go shopping at thrift stores. 

 

Of course, there is always room for improvement though. If you’re young and broke but still trying to make a difference through your environmental practices, here are some additional ways you can help out Mother Nature. 

Switch Up Your Diet

One of the cheapest ways you can make a difference is with your diet. Going vegan, or plant-based if you prefer, is an easy eco-conscious switch to make as many commercial animals and their products use up a lot of essential resources. Dairy cows, for instance, require a lot of water. On average each cow needs 30 to 50 gallons a day. Additionally, their manure and belches release large amounts of methane gas into the atmosphere, which is a contributor to climate change. Even if you still need meat in your diet, you could cut back on dairy products or vice versa. 

 

Cutting down on or completely excluding meat from your diet is also great for your wallet. It’s one less thing on your shopping list and produce is typically cheaper than meat, especially when it’s in season. Moreover, most fruits and vegetables maintain their nutritional value when they’re frozen so you can buy certain staples in bulk and store them away in the freezer for later, much like you’re used to with meat. 

Research Before You Buy

When you’re broke, the purchases you do make need to really count. Whether you’re spending money on necessities or travel, do so with sustainability in mind. Of course, sometimes you might find that sustainable products do cost more — but only in price. The damage cheap goods and products can have on the environment and populace is often enough to justify spending a bit more. 

 

Researching before shopping can ensure you’re supporting a company that believes in social equity, waste reduction, and energy-efficient. From choosing sustainable wines to try at your next dinner gathering to going plastic-free with all your soaps, shampoos, and body washes. And try your best to not be fooled, there are a number of products and companies who claim to be eco-friendly but really aren’t. 

 

To figure out more about who you’re purchasing from and if the company’s environmental values and commitments align with yours, try utilizing a guide to help you better distinguish between greenwashing and green action. Greenwashing is a marketing tactic that often uses buzzwords and vague wording to trick you into think they’re sustainable. 

 

While it’s not always easy doing extensive research before making every purchase, especially when you’re first starting out, don’t feel too discouraged. The more consumers familiarize themselves with issues like greenwashing, and the more knowledge they gain, the harder it is for sneaky business to be untruthful. At least, that’s the goal.

Keep Your Financial Health in Mind 

If you find yourself at the point where you can afford to make a big-money decision, such as renovating your home to be more sustainable, it’s important to consider if these big purchases are going to be good for your overall financial health. While actively working towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle does help out Mother Nature, it’s worth considering any potential financial pitfalls later down the road. Things like your credit score can be negatively affected if you decide to take out a line of credit to fund your eco-friendly renovations and a costly mishap makes it so you fall behind on payments.

 

While it is important for all of us to do our part, it’s worth keeping in mind that a lot of the damage currently happening to the planet is the fault of major corporations. The CPD, who uses greenhouse gas data to highlight the role corporations have in global emissions, reports that over half of the global industrial emissions since climate change was officially recognized can be traced back to 25 corporate and state producing entities. 

 

Coal-burning energy, for example, is the largest contributor to CO2 emissions. This is obviously something we as individuals can do little to change as most of us don’t regularly burn coal in our homes. That being said, we can collectively work together to make planet-saving changes through our vote. Electing government officials who support policies that help combat climate change, not make it worse, can really make an impact on Earth’s future. So, even if you’re broke or can’t take on the financial strain of greenifying your entire home and lifestyle, there is still a way you can make a difference.

 

At the end of the day, if you’re committed to making a change in order to lessen your impact on the environment, you will find a way. Even when you’re young and not exactly financially stable, with the right tricks up your sleeve you can save money and give a helping hand to Mother Nature.