With the awful raging wildfires in Greece and Turkey, as well as the annual fires in California, News companies are giving more air time to environmental concerns. Even some adverts for products such as washing detergents are presenting a more eco-friendly attitude to their selling strategies.
As I sit by the sea and look out into the distance, I contemplate the future and worry a little about how much our coastlines may soon change.
I decided to share a few basic things to consider when wanting to be more eco-friendly. These adaptations will aim to reduce your carbon footprint, helping to reduce global warming, at least a tiny amount.
1) Buy fewer items of clothing.
Although many people love to follow Instagram trends and buy new and exciting designer clothes all the time, that needs to stop. Some items are only worn once or twice and stored for ages in wardrobes. These are then replaced again and again, with seasons bringing whole new collections.
Manufacture of clothing uses lots of materials and involves burning lots of fuel. We all need to wear out clothes more often, recycle them after they are worn out and repair them when they have the odd hole appear.
2) Use planes less.
This one is super important. I stopped using planes seven years ago and believe that unnecessary flights are damaging the environment massively because they pump damaging gases straight into the upper atmosphere. Hopefully Covid has stopped long distance business meetings happening so frequently involving air travel. Often these meeting were just jollies in the past and Zoom meetings can adequately suffice in most instances.
As power supplies move towards renewable energy, the use of trains is becoming more acceptable and is now a more eco-friendly way of travelling bigger distances. For instance in Europe you can get almost anywhere by train, with ease. I have been using the EuroStar and Inter-rail to navigate France, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland. From my limited experience in the US I can say that trains can easily get you interstate, yet many prefer the quick flying option.
3) Turn it down.
Simple changes to gas heating and use of boilers can make a positive difference. In winter, having the heating on for less time and at lower temperatures, whilst wearing jumpers and layers, is one easy way to make a change. Also, putting the boiler on once rather than several times a day is worthwhile.
The simple points above are small but important ways that we can all have an impact on climate change. However, we also need to put pressure on governments and big businesses to make meaningful alterations to practices and levels of pollution.
These are really great tips, Jamie! It is really sad what has been happening in the world lately. And I agree with you, the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributor of global emissions hence we should find ways to be more sustainable
Glad you agree.
Global warming truly is a scary thing and we all have to pull together to be more eco friendly. I’ve definitely been conscious about not buying more clothes recently.
Wow, I appreciate post about being environment friendly. 🙂
Climate change is obviously here and it is alarming. Saving Earth is in our hands.
Good tips. Public transportation is still tricky here in the States. Hopefully Biden’s infrastructure bill helps.
I hope so too.
Great ideas! Fashion consumption is a big one and I am very mindful about what I buy, even from just charity shops. I wish people would stop buying fast fashion :/
Definitely.