Many people out there are tired of living a wasteful lifestyle and are making resolutions to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle in the upcoming years. However, you may feel a bit overwhelmed in the beginning with all the changes you will have to make in your lifestyle. Beginning some things new can be a little stressful if you are not sure where to make a start. But, rest assured. You have already completed the difficult part and that is deciding to make a change. Here are some easy changes in day-to-day lives that will lead to a greener lifestyle.
- Consume less meat
It is true. Cutting back on meat consumption will make a big difference to the environment. A greater part of the 30% of the earth's surface is used for raising and supporting livestock. The livestock sector is responsible for almost 10% of carbon dioxide deriving out of human activities. Not only that, it produces harmful greenhouse gases such as 65% of human-related NO2. Cutting back on the meat is significant for decreasing overall GWP gas emissions. Lesser livestock indicates that we get to enjoy more land for recreation. Try to replace some of your meat-heavy meals with seafood or vegetables.
- Cut down the use of energy
There are many ways of cutting back on the use of energy within your house. It can lead to smaller bills and more money saved in your pocket. It is a win-win situation for yourself and mother earth therefore it would be nice to use environment-friendly HVAC equipment. Lower the thermostat during the winters and raise it only in the summers. Unplug these devices when they are not being used. Equip your kitchen with Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets. Wash all your clothes in the Cold mode as most of the energy used in washing machines goes towards heating the water. Use a clothesline or drying rack for drying the outfits after washing is completed. Decreasing the use of energy around the house can be as easy as clicking a button.
- Decrease waste of water
You may lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle if you can use less water by cutting back on the purchases of water bottles. Take a much shorter shower in the mornings or if possible install a low-flow showerhead. This investment of using a lower flow shower head is worth it as you will realize when receiving the next water bill. It will be significantly lower than the earlier bill. It is easy to cut back on using bottled water. Sometimes you live in an area where the tap water doesn’t taste good. But you can buy a water filter to take away the irony aftertaste from the water to get a purity equivalent to the bottled water. Water filter is also helpful in saving money in the long run.
- Select cloth rather than paper
Rather than rushing to the nearest store to buy dozens of rolls of paper towels when you perform your spring cleaning, you may cut out an old t-shirt or some other kind of clothing and use that piece as a rag. You were likely to toss it out anyway so, why not save money together with saving the planet in the same go? Just collect all the used rags in a basket and wash them at the same time to re-use and repeat the procedure.
- Buy the right light bulbs
Do not run off and replace all your light bulbs even when they are working fine. However, when your light bulb burns out the next time replace it by using a more eco-friendly brand. Your ideal replacement will be using a CFL or compact fluorescent light. Generally, the CFLs last five times longer than the normal bulbs and they use a lot less electricity than compared to incandescent light bulbs. They are also brighter and it means you will get away with using fewer lamps in the home.
Conclusion
You can mark this year by doing positive changes. It doesn’t matter where you live, you will be able to make a difference to the whole world if you can bring about these eco-friendly changes in your everyday lives. Living a green lifestyle is not difficult. It may be as simple as shutting off a light fixture when you do not need it and it can also save money for you.
Experts estimate that the world's population will reach 10 billion by 2050. The world is stretched thin on resources, and our lifestyle choices directly impact the planet. One major lifestyle choice begins at home, as homeowners can reduce their carbon footprint by choosing sustainable home decor options. This includes eco-friendly furniture, materials, fabric, lighting, and much more.
As an influential voice in home design, Architectural Digest Reviews created a guide on how homeowners can implement sustainable home decor without compromising their style. To see our suggestions on decorating sustainably, you can check the guide below:
How to Sustainably Decorate Your Home
