This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Global warming is a worrying and divisive subject. We are already seeing worsening weather and soaring temperatures. On a positive note, more effort is being made to develop new sustainable fuels so we can have a greener tomorrow. We all need to help our planet and protect it for our kids. It can be surprisingly easy to make a difference by implementing a few changes. Read on…
TURN IT OFF
Energy conservation is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Don’t leave lights on unnecessarily. And leaving your electricals on standby needlessly uses up energy. Hit the off switch and you could see worthwhile reductions in your energy bills. Using a programmable thermostat that lowers or raises the temperature when you’re not home, also helps.
NEXT TIME BUY ECO-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY
Want to go further than simply turning it off? Make sure that any new tech you invest in is as energy-efficient as possible. This way, you’re using much less energy for the time that the product is on, saving money and reducing your energy output.
SWITCH TO RENEWABLES
Consider changing your energy supplier to one that’s 100% renewable. Switching is simple and means that all the electricity you use will be zero carbon. Click here to see a list of green energy companies in the UK.
RECYCLE – EVERYTHING!
Chances are you’ll already be recycling. But could you improve on what you’re doing? We can recycle almost everything – from batteries to paper to cars. Before you throw it away, take a minute to find out if you could re-sell it or donate it to a worthy cause. By extending the life of a product, you help reduce dependence on disposable or cheaply made single-use products that end up in landfill.
USE L.E.D. BULBS
Not only do LED lightbulbs last longer than conventional ones, they’re far more efficient too! So everyone wins. LED lightbulbs have come on leaps and bounds since they were first introduced.
GET YOUR FOOD DELIVERED
Instead of having 20 odd cars make their way to the supermarket – one van drives around delivering to everyone in the area. Additionally, it means you’re less likely to impulse buy which can help to reduce any waste food.
CHEMICAL-FREE CLEANING
Quite a few cleaning products have harmful chemicals in them. Think about using, for example, e-cloths – they are very effective and only use water. And have a look at our other cleaning tips.
DON’T DRIVE
If you can make the journey by foot, bike or public transport, then do. Unless you have an electric car, try and keep your speed down, ensure your tyres are inflated properly and that you drive smoothly. Perhaps you could carpool?
BUY LOCAL
From clothes to food to eating out, the closer to home these products are made and bought, the less carbon is created with their transportation. You’ll also be supporting your local economy.
TRAVEL SMART
Flying is one of the most environmentally damaging things we do. Much as the idea of jetting abroad is very tempting, perhaps consider a staycation in our own beautiful country. Camping, hiking and cycling are all extremely low carbon.
DISPOSABLES
Single-use products such as plastic razors, forks, cups, bags and food storage containers are often thrust upon us. Try and choose retailers that are more eco-friendly. Use a recycled coffee cup for that store-bought latte. Even trash that’s properly disposed of, such as in a landfill, requires careful monitoring to ensure that dangerous chemicals don’t enter the environment.
FAIRTRADE
When you buy imported items such as coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, chocolate and fruit, look for the fair-trade certification. This tells you the items were grown using sustainable methods and that the local people receive fair payment for their goods.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR POST ON SUSTAINABLE FOOD CHOICES