Author: Oskar Pecyna
Why does environmental consciousness matter in today’s age? The scientific consensus is clear—human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, are driving climate change. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems are already occurring. Our planet is experiencing a rapid loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.
Integrating environmentally friendly practices into daily life, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, supporting local and sustainable products, and adopting a mindful approach to consumption is important. It’s high time to make choices based on an understanding of its environmental impact.
Here are some simple acts we can do to live a more environmental-conscious lifestyle:
Bring your reusable water bottle and shopping bags
Imagine, over 1.7 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the ocean each year. If these numbers continue to grow, there will be more plastic waste than the number of fish by the year 2050. Bringing your reusable water bottle and shopping bag makes a lot of difference not just to the environment, but also to your pockets as well. Refilling your bottle with tap water or filtered water is often more cost-effective than purchasing bottled water regularly, leading to significant savings in the long run.
Ditching your car for walking or biking even for short distances once a day makes a significant impact!
Combustion cars emit pollutants that contribute to poor air quality. Choosing a bike over a car just once a day reduces the average person's carbon emissions from transportation by 67%. This does not only benefit the environment but also promotes personal health and well-being. Regular physical activity, such as cycling, is associated with various health benefits, including cardiovascular fitness and reduced stress.
Support local farmers by buying locally sourced produce
Locally sourced produce generally travels shorter distances from farm to table, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. This leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to a more sustainable food system.
Did you know that the interest in sustainable products has been steadily growing in recent years? Global Google searches concerning sustainable products have increased by 130% from 2017 to 2022. This shows that there is a broader global awareness of environmental issues and a growing desire for eco-friendly and socially responsible consumption.
Composting can reduce Methane emissions by more than 50%
Landfills are a significant source of methane, a greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its heat-trapping capacity. Composting organic waste aerobically (in the presence of oxygen) instead of anaerobically (in the absence of oxygen in landfills) significantly reduces methane emissions.
Image from sustainablekaipara.org
Municipalities and individuals can have cost savings by reducing waste disposal fees, lowering the need for landfill expansion, and decreasing the costs associated with chemical fertilizers.
Collect rainwater for plants or garden use
Most plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil conditions. Rainwater, with its mildly acidic pH, helps maintain or adjust soil pH levels within a range that is favorable for many plants. This is particularly beneficial for acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries.
Harvesting and using rainwater involve minimal energy compared to the treatment, pumping, and distribution of tap water. By choosing rainwater for your plants, you indirectly reduce the energy consumption associated with water treatment and distribution, thereby lowering your carbon footprint.
Unplug electronic devices when not in use
Time to unplug! Switching off and unplugging electronics when not in use has lots of benefits. According to the Department of Energy, you could save 10% every month when you unplug devices. Not only it can lessen your expenses, but this can also maximise the lifespan of your devices.
A study by the Natural Resources Defense Council has shown that in the United States, there would be a decrease in carbon dioxide emission by about 44 million metric tons when you unplug your electronic devices. This is the same amount used by 9,791,332 combustion cars annually.
Digital declutter
Data centers, which store and process digital information, consume significant amounts of energy. Digital devices, such as computers and servers, require energy to operate. By decluttering and organizing your digital files, you may reduce the amount of storage space needed. This, in turn, can lead to lower energy consumption in data centers that host digital content.
About 347 billion emails are sent daily. While emails themselves may seem small in terms of data size, the cumulative effect of billions of emails being sent daily adds up to substantial data transmission. The devices used to access and send emails also consume electricity. In a 2019 study, it was accounted that internet use comprised 3.7% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions between 2013 and 2018.
KEY TAKE AWAY
Small, everyday actions, when adopted by a large number of people, can have a substantial cumulative impact. Simple acts like the ones mentioned above contribute collectively to positive environmental outcomes. a combination of individual responsibility, community engagement, corporate sustainability, and global collaboration is necessary to address the complex challenges facing the environment.
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