The environmental problems we’re facing today can be overwhelming, and sometimes it seems that the actions of one person won’t make a difference. While it’s true that government and industry leaders play an outsized role in reducing emissions, individual actions matter too. Every bit counts, and if you take action, you’ll inspire those around you to make positive changes for the planet as well. Here are some ideas to get started:
1. Bike to work or take public transportation
Biking to work is one great way to reduce your carbon footprint
Using a car is one of the lifestyle choices that has the biggest impact on the environment. We’re not suggesting you sell your car tomorrow, but try to think about alternatives you could use in your day-to-day life. Do you have a bike gathering dust in the garage? Give it a tune-up, invest in some sturdy bike bags or a basket to stow your stuff, and plan some easy routes to work or school. An added bonus is that you’ll get your exercise in for the day. If that’s not an option for you, propose a carpool with your coworkers. Not only will you save money on gas, it’s a great way to get to know each other better.
Depending on where you live, public transportation can also be a great option. Studies show that switching from the car to public transport can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 2.2 tons per person. It’s much cheaper than driving, you can read, nap, meditate, or listen to music during your commute, and the people watching can’t be beat. Who knows, it might become your favorite part of the day.
2. Eat more sustainably
Eating more local food is great for your community and the environment
You don’t have to become a vegetarian to eat more sustainably, it’s all about being aware of where your food comes from and how that impacts the environment. Factory farms, the massive animal confinement operations where most of the meat we eat in the U.S. comes from, are responsible for 55% of water consumption in the U.S. Household water consumption, on the other hand, only accounts for 5% of the total. Eating less meat, especially beef, is a great place to start. Meatless Mondays is a fun campaign that encourages consumers to give up meat one day a week. They provide recipes and other information about being more aware of your meat consumption.
When you do eat meat and fish, try to buy from local producers at your local farmer’s market. Small, family-owned farms raise animals in more humane conditions, use less water, and produce less air pollution. Buying locally-produced food in general means lower emissions because the food is traveling a short distance to get to your plate vs. food that travels thousands of miles before it gets to your grocery store (i.e. grapes from Chile, mangos from Mexico, tilapia from China, kiwis from New Zealand).
You don’t have to change your diet overnight. Just start with incremental changes and more awareness about the food you’re buying.
3. Plant native species
Planting native species in your yard saves money and is good for the ecosystem
We all love a nice, green lawn, but people in the U.S. are increasingly replacing their lawns with native plants and more sustainable landscaping. Why? Because maintaining a grassy lawn is expensive and the fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, and mowing are time-consuming and generate greenhouse gas emissions. Not only that, but green lawns are not viable habitats and the efforts to eliminate weeds and bugs are detrimental to thriving, functioning ecosystems.
Native plants, or plants that grow naturally in a given region, require low to no maintenance. Because they are adapted to their environments, they are drought and flood resistant. In fact, their longer roots actually help keep the soil in place, which prevents erosion and allows the soil to absorb more water. They even help cool the air around them because they use heat from their environment to pull water up from the soil and out their leaves.
If you love birds, planting native species will attract more birds to your yard. And you don’t have to do everything all at once. A great first step is to consult Audobon’s native plant guide next time you want to buy a plant to find out which plants are native to your area.
4. Update your attic insulation with cellulose
Cellulose insulation is a sustainable insulation material
This might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of protecting the environment, but it actually has multiple benefits. Adequate attic insulation helps your HVAC system run efficiently, which reduces the need for energy inputs and, in turn, reduces emissions of pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide. Greater energy efficiency also means you’ll save money on your energy bills, which could free up money in your budget to invest in other sustainable home improvement projects.
Any type of properly installed insulation will increase energy efficiency, but only cellulose insulation is made of 85% recycled paper. Production of cellulose insulation diverts almost a million tons of waste from the landfill each year.
Another environmental benefit of cellulose insulation is that it is usually produced regionally, which reduces emissions produced by transporting over long distances. Manufacturing cellulose insulation is also a low-energy process, unlike other types of insulation materials that require carbon-intensive processes and raw material sources such as refined oil.
5. Avoid fast fashion
Cheaply made, mass-produced clothing contributes to environmental pollution
The fashion industry is the second biggest consumer of water and responsible for 10% of carbon emissions globally, more than international air travel and maritime shipping combined. These cheaply produced clothes, mostly made from synthetic fibers, release 500,000 tons of microplastics into the ocean every year.
Luckily, there are a lot of fun alternatives to fast fashion that are great for the planet. To start, avoid companies like Zara, H&M, Shein, and Forever 21, some of the worst offenders in the fast fashion world. Instead, buy clothes second hand, or from companies that have a commitment to environmental sustainability (if you’re not sure, read up on their websites). ThreadUp, Poshmark, and Kidizen are some examples of sites where people sell secondhand clothing, and more are popping up all the time.
Another way to avoid fast fashion is to organize a clothing swap with your friends. Everyone brings the clothes they no longer use and swap them with each other. No money is exchanged, everyone goes home with new clothes, and you’re giving new life to things that might have ended up in the landfill.
This Earth Day, commit to one action from this article, and then share your experience with your friends and family. You can post on social media or just bring it up in conversation. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you see the ripple effect of that one positive step in the right direction.
For more information about installing high-quality, environmentally friendly cellulose insulation in your Austin, TX attic, read more on our website or call us today at 737-301-8148. If your home is over 10 years old, you’re experiencing temperature fluctuations inside your home, or your energy bills have gone up, you may be eligible for a free insulation inspection.
Sources
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/08/1202152408/climate-change-action
https://www.newrootsinstitute.org/articles/massive-environmental-impacts
https://www.un.org/en/actnow/transport
https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/rigid-foam-insulation-and-environment
https://www.greenfiber.com/blog/how-does-cellulose-insulation-affect-the-environment
https://www.greenfiber.com/blog/how-does-cellulose-insulation-affect-the-environment
