We’ve got the list! Stop feeling guilty about how your lifestyle is affecting the environment in a negative way. We all need natural resources, but you can easily decrease your need for them and we share lifestyle changes almost anyone can implement. From skylights in your home to the car in your garage, here’s all you have to do.
Upgrade Your Home
One of the biggest role players in your carbon footprint is where you spend most of your time—your home. For those passionate about benefiting the environment, some minor changes will make a big difference.
Light
Without enough natural light, a lot of power goes into lighting up your home artificially. It’s a good start to change bulbs to LED versions but better yet is finding ways to allow more light into your spaces.
For many Australians skylight installation is an easy fix, especially because we have so many sunny days throughout the year. When they’re positioned correctly you’ll have much less need for switching on overhead lights, even late in the day. So, discuss your skylight plans with a professional for optimal results.
Even just using your windows correctly can help. Cut away some foliage that’s blocking natural light or install blinds that give you more control over the amount of light entering the room, without reducing your privacy.
Insulation
Heating or cooling your home is another way you’re home uses a lot of power. Improve insulation so it’s easier to maintain the temperature inside. This can happen by fixing windows and panes to prevent drafts and using more floor coverings like rugs. Even window coverings can help prevent heat loss or gain.
Eat Healthy, Stay Seasonal
Here’s an interesting one. Did you know the food on your plate affects your carbon footprint?
By sticking to seasonal fruit that’s produced locally, there’s much less transportation involved in getting ingredients to your home. Also, you can eat more fish than other meat, since many types of seafood generate lower amounts of carbon/protein unit.
Walk More, Drive Less
Of course you may need your car for performing general errands or even to get to work. We’re not saying you should give it up altogether. However, it’s worth acquiring new habits, such as walking to the corner store instead of driving just because it’s convenient. You’ll be improving your health by exercising more, saving fuel and helping the environment by reducing emissions.
When driving is necessary, consider other options that will help reduce your carbon footprint in the long run. Some of these may seem like a small change but you’ll be surprised at the big impact it can make:
- Head to work before or after rush hour traffic. That slow drive raises your car’s CO2 emissions considerably compared to making the drive in regular traffic.
- Don’t make separate trips for each errand—rather list all your tasks for the week and get it done in one go.
- If there are heavy items in your car you don’t really need, such as a baby’s stroller or sports equipment, take it out. Only add to the car’s weight when you need those items for the day’s activities.
- Proper car maintenance can improve fuel efficiency drastically, reducing your usage of natural resources.
- Carpool for work or school.
- Consider getting an electric car or one that’s proven to have lower CO2 emissions than your current model.
Drive Rather than Fly
As mentioned, certain circumstances do require modern transport. However, chances are you can reduce your amount of flying each year if you get creative:
- Since driving is more eco-friendly than flying, consider swapping one holiday far from home for a local one, so you can drive rather than fly to your destination.
- Do you really need all those work trips? Modern technology such as video conferencing software facilitates effective meetings between multiple people, reducing the need to travel to other offices or conference venues.
Use Less Plastic
Stop for a moment and look at your home and general routines. In how many scenarios can you identify plastic usage that isn’t really necessary?
- Buying bottled water when you can take a reusable glass bottle and fill up at home
- Plastic grocery bags instead of taking your own fabric or paper bags
- Packaged food items at the store versus fresh items sold separately at the local market
- Packing lunch in plastic tubs or bags and buying new ones when they get lost or damaged, instead of using recyclable or eco-friendly containers
If more households stop supporting the environment-harming plastic usage so common across the globe, we’ll make a difference together.
Final Thoughts
One of the most attractive aspects of a more eco-friendly lifestyle is that it’s bound to save you money. With lower power usage comes lower utility bills and different travel habits mean lower emissions and less fuel consumption—every day.
We bet these tips show you that living a more sustainable lifestyle is much easier than you expected.
If you have questions or tips for others on this topic, do share. Now, let’s go save the environment one skylight at a time.
