Here’s five top tips for sustainable living; ways of living that will help drive forward a green revolution, says Jane Courtnell.
Humans have annihilated 83 per cent of all wild animals and have disrupted a natural climatic balance, throwing us into a projected future that is 4.1 to 4.8°C (39.38 to 40.64 °F) warmer.
We cannot continue to pillage our planet, emptying the diverse and wondrous world we inherited and rely on. What we need is a green revolution.
Nature is important to me, markedly improving my life quality and wellbeing. I’ve moulded my professional and personal life to reflect this, aspiring to play my part and live more sustainably.
Here’s my five top tips for creating a more sustainable life to help drive forward a green revolution.
Tip # 1: Go minimalist
Minimalistic living is a philosophy promoting living with less and creating a life that’s based on experiences rather than possessions. Consumerism is responsible for up to 60 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Once more, studies show human consumption leads to considerable losses in biodiversity.
There are 300,000 items in the average American household. Also, the American home has tripled in size in the past 50 years. Minimalism provides the cultural shift needed to move us away from more-is-more, supporting a more sustainable life.
Declutter your life, and only buy things you need rather than want.
Tip #2: Eat less meat
Fifty-five grammes of beef protein releases 5.372kg of C02 compared to 0.006 Kg of C02 released for 55g of nut and seed protein. According to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), meat and dairy account for 14.5 per cent of global GHGs.
The clearing of forests, habitat destruction, and toxic chemicals is killing wildlife, to the extent that animals raised for slaughter outweigh wild animals by a factor of 15 to one.
It’s more sustainable to use meat substitutes, e.g. beans and tofu. Limit the amount of meat you consume to once or twice a week – or cut it out completely. Be wary of throwaway meats, like ham in sandwiches.
Tip #3: Reduce travel and offset your emissions
Plane, car, bus, rail, and coach, these are common forms of transportation ordered in accordance to the amount of GHG released.
To reduce GHG emissions from transport, you can walk, run or cycle when possible. Opt for more environmentally-friendly form of transport.
Offset your emissions: the average carbon footprint for US citizens is 10 tonnes, and transport accounts for 28.2 per cent of this. For long-haul flights, we’re looking at two tonnes of C02 emitted. Sites such as Treedom.net allow you to offset emissions by planting trees, providing an estimation of how much C02 your tree sequesters.
Tip #4: Switch to a green energy provider
New estimations for the levelized cost of electricity show renewables to be cheaper today than previously expected in 2016. The energy payback from wind farm investments is six to nine months, and for offshore wind, the payback is almost a year.
Make the switch and use top renewable energy suppliers such as Octopus Energy and Good Energy.
Tip #5: Utilize green technology for sustainable living
Green technology uses scientific innovation to create products and services that are environmentally-friendly.
Examples of applicable green technologies include roofs integrated with solar PV panels; geothermal heat pumps; low energy LED lighting; rainwater harvesting; electric cars; backyard wind turbines; dual flush toilets; energy star appliances; programmable thermostats; green web hosts; remote work software and home energy management technology.
See what green technology is feasible for you and your lifestyle, and implement it.
Create a more sustainable life supporting our green revolution
Our green revolution needs your support, and so it’s our responsibility to adapt our lives with sustainability in mind.
Let’s build a better, greener future together.
After all, who wouldn’t want that?
Check out Jane’s article sharing 5 simple changes you can make to create a sustainable business.
