By Morgen Henderson
There’s a misconception that meaningful efforts to fight climate change takes large scale changes to our lives. But, while buying an electric car and becoming a vegan does help the environment, they’re far from the only ways to make a difference. In fact, small, everyday tweaks to our daily routines can be more impactful. For example, educating others on climate changehelps fight misinformation and apathy. And since overpopulation is itself a major contributor to climate change, spreading awareness is a big step. We’re all part of the problem. So we all must be part of the solution. In your personal fight against climate change, look for small changes to things you do every day. Here are three things to start with first.
- Adjust Your Culinary Habits
Eating is something most of us do at least three times a day. Over time, these small choices make a big difference, so make smart ones. Start by eating less meat and dairy. Livestock like cows and sheep take more resources to raise than grains and beans. Farmers must grow grains to feed livestock, then harvest those animals and transport them to supermarkets. But grains, soy, and beans are grown for their direct consumption. So, they require less transportation and processing. And unlike cows, these food products don’t emit the greenhouse gas methane. So substitute beef with chicken, pork, and fish.
Change how you get your food. Buy from local farmers. As a side benefit, you get fresher food and support your local economy. But you also cut down on the economic costs to transport and store foods across the country. Just make sure that whatever you buy, eat it. The USDA estimatesthat Americans throw away around 20% of the food they buy. That tuna you had to throw away didn’t just cost you. It took boat fuel to catch it, truck diesel to haul it, and electricity to keep it cold. The planet pays the price too.
There are also opportunities to make greener food choices when storing food. Use tupperware or other reusable containers to take your lunch. Take reusable grocery bags to the market instead of using disposable plastic ones. Keep your refrigerator full. It takes less energy to cool. Keep your oven and refrigerator doors closed — no quick peeks and lingering looks. Don’t heat your oven to cook small batches of food. Instead, use toaster ovens, microwaves, and pressure cookers. They use around 20% less energy. Finally, use a meal planner to keep things predictable and simple. Short trips to the market waste gas and burn fossil fuels.
- Maintain a Green Home
Whatever you call home, make sure it’s as energy-efficient and eco-friendly as possible. Cut energy waste by weatherizing your home, caulking and weather stripping your doors and windows. Keep your HVAC system regularly maintained by professionals and change the air filters. Check your attic fans to ensure heat doesn’t build up during the summer months. For your living space, use ceiling fans to circulate air. For outside, plant trees and shrubs near your home to shade it during the summer and insulate it during the winter.
Cut down on how much energy your household uses. Change your older incandescent light bulbs with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). And reduce your hot water usage so your water heater works less. Start by turning down its thermostat to 120°F. Then wash your clothes on warm or cold settings, and set your water level to match the load size. No more “Super Level” water loads for only a few articles of clothing. Do the same for your dishwasher — only run it when it’s completely full. And hang clothes on a clothesline instead of using your clothes dryer.
Get in step with the new smart home tech trend. Programmable thermostats, smart light bulbs, and water leak detectors are popular gadgets that cut home energy use. That’s because they do the remembering, monitoring, and conserving for you. Use smart lighting and motion detectors to automatically turn lights on and off when someone walks into a room. Or turn your lights off from your smartphone when you leave them on accidentally. And a smart thermostat helps save energy by adjusting your settings throughout the day. You don’t need your home’s air temp to be optimal when you’re at work. That’s wasted energy! A smart thermostat will keep the air cooler or hotter during the day, then get things back to a comfortable temp right before you get home.
- Change How You Travel
We use our automobiles every day. Small changes to how we get from A-to-B add up to big fuel savings over time. Electric cars are getting cheaper, but most models still exceed many budget limits. But there are some easy steps that make our means of conveyance a greener option. For one, you can keep your current vehicle in tip-top shape with regular maintenance. Regular tune-ups and oil changes increase your fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Ensure your tire pressure is at the recommended pounds per square inch (PSI)for your vehicle. Your tires will last longer and you’ll get higher fuel efficiency.
How you drive is as important as what you drive. Keep your foot off the gas. Aggressive driving only wastes fuel. Combine trips when you can, and avoid the rush hour. Try adjusting your work schedule to leave earlier or later. Stop-and-go traffic guzzles fuel. But if you are stopped for more than ten seconds, kill your engine. Contrary to popular opinion, restarting your car does not burn more fuel than idling it. And warm your car on cold days by driving it, not idling it in the driveway.
If you want to make an even bigger impact on the environment, reduce the amount you drive altogether. Carpool or ride your bike to work or to run errands. Take advantage of public transportation. Riding your bike improves your health and riding the bus improves your social interaction. It shows others that you’re committed to doing your part to save the planet. And it’s the best way to encourage others to do their part.
