Today marks the 40th anniversary of the very first Earth Day and by now, we all know the save-the-world basics: adjust the thermostat, recycle, pay bills online, carpool and keep those reusable grocery bags in the trunk. Here are 5 simple “next steps” that will help shrink your carbon footprint and make sure that the rainforests and coral reefs are still around for your grandkids to enjoy. Bonus points if you get a friend to do one with you.
1.) Go at least one day each week without meat. The meat industry produces nearly 20% of greenhouse gas emissions – more than emissions from transportation. Already went veggie? Congrats! You’re personally keeping 1.5 TONS of carbon dioxide each year out of our atmosphere, which beats trading your car for a hybrid by half a ton! If you’re a meat-lover, try skipping the beef just once each week by participating in Meatless Mondays.
2.) Buy vintage. In addition to ensuring that no one will show up to a party, prom or anywhere else in the same outfit as you, it’s an easy and fun way for any shopaholic to go green.
Clothing manufacturing uses huge amounts of water and releases toxic materials and dyes into the environment. Help cut back on manufacturing wastes without cutting back on shopping by checking out this quick guide to buying vintage clothing and accessories and finding a vintage shop near you.
3.) If/when you eat seafood, choose sustainable/fast-growing fish that are lower on the food chain like talapia. This will help alleviate the problems associated with overfishing. Food for thought: most tuna used for sushi is between 6 and 20 years old. Most talapia that you order is around one year old, which means the species can be replenished fairly easily. Learn more and take the pledge to save our oceans here.
4.) Unplug your toaster. Appliances use energy when they’re plugged in, even when you’re not using them. Unplug at least a few of the ones that you don’t use on a daily basis. This simple action can also lower your energy bill by around $10 each month, which makes it healthy for the planet and your wallet. While you’re at it, unplug the blender and that lamp in the corner that you never use too.
5.) Find a farmers market near you and choose locally grown, organic food. In addition to being healthier for you and great tasting, we can stop tons (seriously, tons) of greenhouse gasses from being released into the air. Thanks to chemical fertilizers, pesticides, trucks used for transport and machinery, industrially/conventionally grown foods are dependant on fossil fuels.
Make a goal to buy organic when purchasing at least some of your produce. Berries, peppers, and other thin-skinned fruits and veggies contain the highest amounts of toxic pesticides, which make them a great place to start. Find a farmer’s market near you at localharvest.org.
As always, you can earn free donations that fund earth-saving initiatives by supporting the Nature Conservancy or The World Wildlife Fund on SocialVibe!
its a sad sad world
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