In the midst of the debate about climate change, between deniers and non-deniers, and how it is affecting our planet, it can be difficult to understand how one person can have a real impact.
However, taking ecological habits into your daily life is much easier than you think.
Although these actions may seem minor, everyone needs to do their part.
To take a step in the right direction, we have put together a list of simple actions that anyone can do to make a contribution towards an eco-sustainable society and help the Earth.
Here are a few steps to take to help our Planet.
Attention to energy consumption
The first and most important thing to do to save the planet is to “save energy”.
We must learn to manage more consciously the energy consumption we make at home, at work and in the use of small and large household appliances, just like our parents did.
Small actions of daily life: turning off the light when we leave the room, turning off the appliances instead of leaving them on stand-by, replacing bulbs with low consumption ones, using the heating at a temperature not exceeding 21°C.
For this purpose it is also necessary to use more efficient domestic appliances: refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, dishwashers and others, all with an excellent energy class.
Turn off the computer at night
How many of us have turned off our laptop or desk screen every night?
Turning off your computer at night can help you save energy (and money too!).
If you’re worried that turning your computer off might affect its performance, put it into hibernation mode.
Also check the plugs and unplug appliances such as hairdryers and TVs, as they absorb energy even when they are not on.
Optimise water usage
Water is the most precious resource on the planet.
We try to use it sparingly and always check taps and pipes.
Important, it is not only the use of water that we make at home, but also the water we drink.
Bottled water, for example, not only causes an exaggerated release of plastic into the environment, but we must also consider the pollution produced during its transport.
Therefore, prefer tap water when possible, or the use of appropriate filters to make it safer.
Finally, collect and use rainwater to irrigate your plants.
Shower instead of bathroom
Showering instead of bathing is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of water we use during the day.
Rather than rubbing yourself calmly, be more aware of how much time you spend in the shower.
Reducing 2 minutes in the shower can save more than 45 litres of water. You will also save the energy needed to heat the water.
Turn off the tap while you soap up, brush your teeth or even wash your dishes, although it may not seem so, the amount of water we can save with these simple practices has a significant impact on the environment and our lives.
Do your laundry properly
No more half-empty washing!
Make sure you put a full load in the washing machine, even if it means picking up clothes with a roommate or family member.
You can also take a look at the temperature settings.
Lowering the temperature of the cycles can lead to significant energy savings over time.
The type of cycle you use is also important.
A group of researchers in the UK found that the gentle cycle releases 800,000 more microfibres than a normal cycle.
These are non-biodegradable plastic fibres that enter our waterways and are currently causing damage to our oceans and marine life.
Another thing that seems absurd but can help save the planet: hanging out laundry.
That may not make sense, but let’s think instead of all the energy that is wasted with the use of dryers.
We prefer a simple one to this technological means, used by our parents and which allows us, if done in the right way, to save electricity when ironing our clothes.
Uses reusable bags
We all know that disposable plastic is a big problem.
More and more laws are being passed every day to ban plastic bags from supermarkets, but you don’t have to wait for them to be removed from your area to take action.
There are plenty of great, long-lasting options that will really do a better job of taking your shopping home.
Goodbye to torn plastic bags!
Use compostable or reusable straws
In the fight against disposable plastic, a straw or straw may seem harmless, but the reality is that they are rarely recycled. More than 8 billion plastic straws are thrown away each year in the UK alone.
More and more companies offer alternatives to plastic straws, but you can go ahead and buy your own reusable straw.
There are many options available, including metal straws that fold comfortably so it’s easy to take them with you.
Don’t waste food
Food waste has a big impact on the environment and our planet.
You need to optimize your spending by trying not to waste food, buy only what you actually need and will use.
We learn children not to waste food and to give it the right value.
If there is food left over, try to recycle it as much as possible.
Eating fruit and vegetables
The beef production cycle is responsible for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions on our planet, as well as promoting the intensive process of deforestation to create new farms.
We therefore seek to minimise meat consumption, preferring fruit and vegetables, preferably from organic farming.
Here you can find some benefits of fruit.
Prefer local products
Think about the difference between buying fruit in the supermarket and buying it from the greengrocer.
Apart from the genuineness of the products, it is a question of eliminating all the excessive packaging that is used to pack food that, perhaps, is not even so genuine anymore.
Car Sharing
We try to reduce car use as much as possible: we prefer sustainable means of transport such as cycling, when possible, public transport or car sharing.
In this last period, the use of “sharing” the car with other people is becoming more and more widespread: this is a great way to socialise, share expenses and, above all, reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Recycle
Before throwing something away, always ask yourself whether that particular object has really exhausted all its usefulness.
You may be amazed at how many beautiful and useful things they can make, for example, from glass jars, tea bags already used or even fruit peels.
Recyclable nappies
Here is a really sore point: disposable nappies.
They are one of the most polluting and difficult things to dispose of in the environment.
Using washable nappies can make a huge difference, as well as irritating your baby’s skin less.
Did you know that in the US alone 27.5 billion disposable nappies reach landfills every year?
Worse, they take 500 years to decompose.
In addition to the large amount of plastic waste they generate, more than 200,000 trees are felled every year to produce nappies in that country.
As well as reducing the amount of waste, they also represent great long-term savings: an average of 660 US dollars for your first child and 1,300 for your second. There is also evidence that cloth nappies reduce rubbing and make potty training easier, so everyone wins.
Do the separate collection
It is the smartest and most important contribution you can make to the environment and to helping our planet.
If your municipality has not yet started recycling, don’t lose heart: set aside everything you can, such as glass, paper and plastic, and find out where the nearest collection point is.
This is also a start.
Here are a few tips on how to recycle plastic.
Reduce paper consumption
Digital technology has given us a great opportunity: to write, read and send documents without the need to print them.
If you really need to print a document or receipt, make sure that the paper you use is not wasted.
When you travel, when writing and communicating, make sustainable choices and ask yourself whether you really need to print a document, a train ticket, or educational notes.
Most services accept electronic tickets, whether it’s a barcode, a QR or a virtual ticket downloaded into an application on your phone.
If you can, print on both sides and, if you are taking notes by hand, make sure you use every inch of the page before you move on to the next one.
Convince your friends
Now, to make all the previous actions even more useful and important, share your experience with relatives, neighbours, students and acquaintances, inviting them to do the same.