For everyone out there, now – rather than later – is the time to take action against this climate crisis.
Especially for young people, who will have to live with the consequences, it is our time to push for climate policy and reform. If that’s a bit too extreme for you, however, then start small. Begin by trying one of these seven ways to become a greener person and help fight climate change. Anything and everything can help.
1. Grow your own food
This cuts down on the vehicle energy used to transport from your house to the grocery store, thus eliminating carbon emissions. Having a garden at your disposal isn’t just an efficient approach to fight climate change, it’s also a great way to save money and improve your overall health. Gardening is a form of exercise and a reason to get outside. If the outdoor garden sounds like too much, indoor gardening is an easy alternative that can be done with simple glass jars or more professional equipment.
2. Composting
Putting your food scraps into the trash, which goes straight to landfill, increases the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere while raising the temperature of the earth. Composting eliminates this carbon emission and replaces it with nutrients that help plants grow. So if you chose to try to grow your own food, giving this a try can also help.
3. Add solar panels to your house
If you live in an area that has lots of exposure to sunlight, this is perfect for you. It provides clean energy to power your home and can lower your energy bill. While installing solar panels can be expensive, it can save money in the long run. Alternative green energy is the future of electricity and the sooner the switch is made, the better.
4. Change your lawn
Rather than having a bright green grass lawn that wastes water, try an alternative lawn. There are various ways to do this, including: using ground coverings that don’t need lots of water and keep your lawns from looking bare, such as moss. Another option is ornamental grasses which don’t require too much water while preventing erosion. Alternative lawns work to intake more carbon than the American traditional green lawn.
5. Use LED light bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs use 90% more energy than LED bulbs that waste energy, and they emit heat from the bulb which assists in raising the global temperature. LED light bulbs effectively use electricity and don’t radiate heat, which can save you money on air conditioning bills.
6. Ride a bike!
Go back to your childhood days when you would race outside with friends going from one house to another, rather than using a vehicle. Cars, buses, and taxis all emit carbon into the atmosphere warming the planet. While riding a bike, you eliminate any form of greenhouse gas emission as you pedal along. In many major cities, biking can actually be faster than using an automobile or even the train. So, go get some exercise on your commute to work or when you’re going to visit a friend, it’ll be worth it in the long run.
7. Eat and shop locally
When looking for grocery items, try to shop at farmers markets or from local farms and gardens, rather than large-scale grocery stores. Big grocery stores have to transport their food over a long distance, leading their food to have an enormous carbon footprint. Buying locally eliminates the large-scale emission and supports locally-owned farms and shop owners from your area. If creating a garden is a bit too much for you, this is a great alternative that supports your community and allows you to have in-season fruits and vegetables.
