Hesitant to Go Green? These Small Changes Can Make a Big Impact on the Environment

As of 2020, the world’s population sat at a staggering 7.8 billion people, and continues to grow every minute.¹ Humans across the globe make a significant impact on the environment every day. But as individuals, a couple of small adjustments on our part can begin to enact big change. We’re not talking about trading in your car for a bike or making other major, life-altering decisions. Instead, we’ve noted some easy ways you can switch up your daily habits to go a little greener.

Change #1: Use Reusable Grocery Bags

When you go grocery shopping, bring your own reusable bags. In fact, keep a couple of them in your car to ensure you always have them with you. This way, you won’t need to use the plastic bags at the checkout to put your items in. These bags end up in landfills, release toxic chemicals and can cause harm to animals both in the ocean and on land. You may also look into ways that your community is re-purposing plastic bags. Volunteers in a community we kinow collect the bags and weave them together to make sleeping mats for homeless people.

Change #2: Carpool or Walk Whenever You Can

Do you and your neighbor go to the same gym? Consider carpooling with them to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas. Going to your neighborhood pool on a hot summer day? Consider walking instead of taking your car. We know it might not be realistic to walk or carpool to places like work, but ditching the car is possible in other aspects of your life.

In addition, making these changes can have personal benefits as well. If you carpool, you may make a new friend or get to know an acquaintance a little better. And if you walk, you have the added benefit of getting some exercise in. Americans walk 4,774 about steps a day, similarly, Canadians reach about 4,819 steps a day on average.² Start tracking how many steps you’re taking and use this as an opportunity to challenge yourself to hit another 1,000 or more steps each day. It’s surely a win-win situation for both you and the environment.

Change #3: Say Goodbye to Plastic Water Bottles

Are you guilty of grabbing a plastic water bottle from your kitchen on the way to work? If so, think about dropping the habit of buying these plastic bottles and switch to carrying a reusable water bottle instead. It only takes a few seconds to fill up your bottle in the morning before you head out, and it’s worth it for the benefit of reducing plastic waste. And, you can always fill it up each night and store it in the refrigerator so it's cold the next day.

Change #4: Revitalize Old Clothes

Consider bringing new life into your current clothes or purchasing used clothes from vintage stores, consignment shops or thrift stores as an alternative to buying new clothes off the rack. Manufacturing clothing serves as a large source of carbon emissions and contributes to the destruction of fragile ecosystems across the globe. Next time you need a little black dress or a new tie, consider digging deep into your closet, phoning a friend or visiting a local thrift shop.

Change #5: Replace Beef With Plant-Based Proteins

The production of beef and other meat causes a significant amount of environmental harm. When most of us are eating meat, we may not be considering the environmental impacts each bite can make. But just because we don’t think about it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Becoming a vegetarian or vegan is a huge lifestyle change, but you can have an impact by taking a small step and giving up meat one day a week. Perhaps after making this change, you may become compelled to learn about vegan eating and give up meats on a bigger scale.

Change #6: Print Less

Try to use as little paper as you can. Some easy things include reading on your computer or tablet, opting for washable hand towels or air dryers instead of paper towels, canceling your junk mail, etc. Consider creative ways to use less gift wrapping paper. If everyone makes a conscious effort to reduce their paper usage, we could begin to make an impact on the overall waste generated year after year.

Change #7: Reduce Energy Use for Heating & Cooling

Reduce energy useage on hot days by using fans to cool the spaces you're using and turning up your A/C temperature to avoid cooling empty rooms in your home or office. Add a sweater and heavier clothes on cold days and dial down the thermostat on your furnace. Your energy provider will have more helpful tips which may also help reduce your expenses.

Many of us are aware that we’re making a negative impact on the environment and action is needed, but when it comes to changing our daily habits - it can be hard to figure out where to start. Begin by taking small steps, and remember that you’re taking these small steps along with millions of others across the globe. With your contributions to the environment, you can start making a significant positive impact around you.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty Over Ten. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.