20 May 2008
10 starter tips on living in a more sustainable way:
1. Understand
We need to understand the problem if we’re to have a chance of doing something about it. There is plenty of info around such as:
- www.climatedebatedaily.com
- http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/
- Our own website www.leafliving.com
- Documentaries like An Inconvenient Truth.
2. Transport
How we travel is one of the ways we produce the most pollution but is also one of the easiest ways we can make a big difference.
- Take public transport
- Walk
- Cycle
- Share a car with a friend or see catcharide
- Make fuel consumption an important factor in choosing your next car
- Take the train rather than the plane.
3. Energy
Another easy way to cut down on your emissions (while saving money on your energy bills!) is to
- Turn lights off when you’re not in the room
- Better insulate your home
- Switch to energy efficient bulbs
- Don’t leave appliances on standby
- Consider buying green energy e.g. airtricity
4. Water
Water is often overlooked but is very precious and a really serious environmental issue. Fossil fuel emissions are released in the filtering, purification and transport of every drop of tap water so we must make every effort to use it as efficiently as possible.
- Install water-saving shower heads and aerators
- Turn the tap off when you’re brushing your teeth
- Switch to more efficient appliances
- Collect rainwater for use in the garden.
5. Food
Our diet has a huge impact on the Earth. Given that the food industry is shipping products from further and further away and relies on increasingly intensive farming the need to act is urgent so eat:
- Local
- Seasonal
- Organic
- Less meat
6. Waste
Energy and resources are used in the manufacture, use, transportation and disposal of every single item we use so:
7. Clothing
The clothes we wear also have a significant environmental impact - cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops out there. Here are a few things we can do to minimize our impact:
- Opt for organic cotton, hemp, flax or bamboo or items from recycled materials
- Visit vintage and thrift stores
8. Personal Care
Cosmetics, make-up and other personal care products may contain chemicals that are harmful or that have been tested on animals. High quality alternatives are increasingly coming on to the market so:
- Ask if the product or any of its ingredients have been tested on animals
- Choose organic alternatives
9. Furniture
Trees play a crucial role in the well being of the planet for many reasons including their role in absorbing the greenhouse gas CO2 and providing habitats for wildlife. However, in many regions of the world vast swathes of forests are being destroyed in an unsustainable way.
- Choose furniture that is made from recycled or reclaimed materials
- Check that the furniture you are buying is from a well managed forest with the proper certification such as FSC
10. Cleaning
Cleaning products are used everywhere, in our homes, at work, school, we are surrounded by them all the time. But many are petroleum based which have health and environmental implications that are only slowly becoming understood. However, there are an increasing number of brands that work equally well and are natural.
- Look for ones that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources (rather than petroleum)
- Mix your own! Baking soda and vinegar mixed in a little warm water makes a great all-purpose cleaner.
Original source: www.treehugger.com
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