The 6 Ways to Live More Sustainably
1. Drive less. Ride more.
Did you know more than 35 percent of all vehicle trips are under 2 miles? Why not take a bike? The average person can bike 2 miles in 10-12 minutes at a comfortable pace without breaking a sweat. So next time you need to run an errand, consider taking a bike. You’ll lower emissions, get an energetic boost, and relieve road congestion. Shorts trips by bike might even save you time since you can take shortcuts, avoid traffic lights, and park closer to your destination. Not to mention the good it does for your heart!
3. Take a Hike
Instead of planning your day around a drive to the mall or big box store, plan it around a visit to a state park, campground, or outdoor management area. Hike, bike, swim, climb, camp. Breath in, breath out. Research has shown that the more you enjoy the environment, the more you’ll appreciate it and want to protect it. It’s lesson we can wisely pass on to our kids and grandkids.
5. Stop Using Plastic Cups and Bottles!
Did you know 91% of plastic isn’t recycled? And that plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade? Here’s a not-so-fun fact: it’s predicted that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic waste than fish, ton for ton. OMG. Not to mention the fish are consuming the plastic, and that micro-plastics are already measurable in the fish we consume. Yuck. Wondering where to start? Stop buying water in plastic bottles. Stop buying drinks in plastic bottles. And stop ordering drinks in single-use plastic cups with straws. In our office, we banned plastic cups, and gave everyone Contigo travel mugs (cost about $8 per person). Personally, I have not had a drink from anything in plastic for over a year. What about you?
2. Eat Less Red Meat.
Cutting back on red meat is probably the single biggest change you can make to improve your health, and increase your chances for a longer, healthier life; while at the same time help reduce greenhouse gasses that are contributing to climate change. It’s all true. Research shows that the more red meat someone consumes, the higher their risk of death from heart disease, stroke or diabetes. That’s why you’re seeing calls for ‘meatless Mondays’ and recommendations for a Mediterranean Diet. This doesn't mean you need to cut it out entirely; just cutting back. You may just discover other options you hadn't considered that you'll really enjoy.
Just as important as your health is the planet’s health. Did you know animal agriculture is responsible for around 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions? This amounts to more exhaust from all transportation. Worse still, the Amazon Rainforest is taking the biggest hit, as it is being clear cut at an alarming rate to create grazing land for cattle.
4. Eat local.
Lots of stores and restaurants now feature locally sourced foods, menu items, and ingredients. Eating local reduces transportation costs, reduces handling time and cost, and supports local farms and businesses. Plus, local food is fresher, healthier and tastes better because it spends less time in transit from farm to plate. Locally sourced foods also lose fewer nutrients and incur less spoilage. Farmers will talk to you about ‘seasonal eating’, whereby you try to purchase what’s harvested during each season. This reduces the amount of fruit and vegetables shipped across the country (or across the world) to get to the store. This not only uses tremendous amounts of energy, it also means these fruits and vegetables are picked before they are ripened, which means they lack many of the nutrients of freshly harvested ones. The hardest part about eating local is if you live in an area that imports most of its fresh fruit and produce, which makes seasonal eating harder, especially in winter. I’m in one of those areas. But it’s not hard to ask your grocer next time you’re in the store what’s fresh or seasonal. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new favorite you hadn’t tried before.
6. Conserve Energy at Home.
As old bulbs and appliances reach the end of their useful life, replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs and replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones. Most states offer free energy audits that include a free upgrade to LED’s throughout your house. I thought it was crazy until I had it done on my house. It cut my electric bill in half. In half! You can also conserve by unplugging devices when they’re not being used, use power strips with on/off switches, and turn off lights as you leave a room. Program your thermostat so that your heating and cooling systems use less energy when you’re not home.