As the years go on, the pollution in our world keeps getting worse and worse. In fact, two researchers in 2019 found that particulate pollution in the United States increased by 5.5 percent between 2016 and 2018, after declining by over 24 percent between 2009 and 2016. Why is it that so many people aren’t aware of the issue, and haven’t made changes to their lifestyle to fix the issue?
A Lifestyle
What is a lifestyle choice, and why do people have so many different lifestyle choices? A lifestyle is a way in which a group or person lives. It could mean leading an active outdoor lifestyle, such as camping and hiking regularly, it can be a vegan lifestyle, where one has a plant-based diet, or it can simply mean leading a relaxing lifestyle where you reduce stress as much as possible. Lifestyle changes are mostly used in the context of medical changes. For instance, if someone has been found to be overweight, or has pre-diabetes or high cholesterol, lifestyle changes such as cleaning up a diet or exercising regularly can prove to remove the dangerous consequences of being unhealthy.
Other Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can be temporary, such as exercising more while training for a marathon, or they can stick with you for a very long time. These can be lifestyles related to religion and religious practices, or also even your career, such as being in the military and leading a military lifestyle. Lifestyle changes can come and go, or be permanent, but in either case, they can have a lasting impact on not just you but those around you. For instance, if you lead an active lifestyle, and are around others who are also in the same boat of being previously unhealthy, your lifestyle can help turn their lives around and give them inspiration. Lifestyle gurus are everywhere now on social media. From yoga and meditation teachers to anxiety and depression recovery peer supports, lifestyle changes can stick with you for a lifetime.
Lifestyle and the Environment
You might think that lifestyle changes only affect you or even your close friends or family. If you’re an influencer on social media, your lifestyle can even change the lives of your followers. Think of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, who have millions of followers that they can influence with the power of a button! What do these celebrities push on to their followers? Now, more than ever, celebrities and other teachers are pushing an environmentally friendly lifestyle onto others. This is because of the state of the world, and how global warming and pollution is starting to have a negative, lasting impact on the Earth and all of those on it, including you. Living an environmentally friendly lifestyle can be simple, and it can all start with small changes that can last a lifetime. A habit usually takes around 2 to 3 months to form, so practicing these environmentally friendly lifestyle tips below can turn into a habit in no time.
1. Reusable Bags
Many states have now banned the use of plastic bags to grocery shop, as these plastic bags are used to throw away trash and in the home and often end up in landfills. According to statistics from Waste Management, only 1 percent of plastic bags are returned for recycling! That means that the average household only recycles 15 bags a year, while the rest either end up in landfills or on the streets as litter. We all know we use more than 15 bags a year, so the numbers are astonishing. Take a small step toward living an environmentally friendly lifestyle, and opt for using reusable bags made of recycled material instead of plastic bags.
2. Use Reusable Water Bottles and Straws
Water bottles can be a great way to remind us to drink a certain amount of water every couple of hours. They’re portable and come in handy during hiking trips, out for a walk, or even at work. But, have you ever thought of how many water bottles end up in landfills, or never in the recycling bin? Start an environmentally friendly lifestyle by switching to reusable water bottles, flasks, and straws. Water distillers can even help you have clean water everyday right from your home’s sink. The choices for water bottles, straws, and filters are virtually endless nowadays!
3. Change Commuting Methods
Many of us like to commute to and from work by driving there. However, one of the best environmentally friendly lifestyle changes you can make for your health and for the Earth is to commute to work using another method besides driving. Why not bike to work, or even skateboard there? Catching the bus or commuter train is also not a bad idea, and make workplaces even offer incentives if you provide proof of this type of transportation. Points can add up to a personal day also. In addition, you can commute with a friend and save on gas and emissions, and even take the carpool lane to get to work faster.
4. Make a Monthly Donation
If you are able to donate some of your paycheck and income to a good cause, considering making a donation to organizations and environmental groups that are setting out to make a lasting change on the world. The Environmental Defense Fund is a good example, as they work to create solutions for climate change, oceans, wildlife, and habitats. They have a charity navigator score of 94.48 out of 100, which isn’t bad! Other organizations you can donate to are The Nature Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council, and American Rivers just to make a few.
5. Recycle Plastics
Recycling plastics is one of the simplest and most effective environmentally friendly lifestyle choices you can make. Don’t just stop at plastic either. Consider recycling aluminum from soda cans, cat food cans, and food cans also. It’s easy to do so, and recycling plastics and aluminum can even help you earn money when you take your recyclables to a recycling center. You are paid by the weight of the cans you bring in. Be aware that not all plastics will earn you money, such as plastics from large water or milk gallons. Recycling centers will still take your recyclables, however, and put them to good use.
6. Recycle Electronics
Don’t throw out cell phones, laptops, or televisions! Batteries in these electronics require special disposal. Although it’s easy to get frustrated and simply throw away your electronics, make the effort of donating them to an electronics recycling center for them to be re-used and repurposed.
7. Eat Eco-Friendly Foods
Low-impact foods are foods that don’t harm the planet too much in their farming methods. These low-impact foods are also known as sustainable foods, and a little bit of research goes a long way in finding out what sustainable foods you can enjoy without feeling guilty! These include pacific sardines, farmed oysters, mussels, and clams. Generally, meat is not a low-impact or sustainable food, as the farming practices for them take up much farmland and emit pollution. However, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you can enjoy low-impact veggies such as garden peas, lentils, tomatoes, and broccoli. Nuts and potatoes are also a great sustainable food source.
8. Go Solar
Going solar is one of the best environmentally friendly lifestyle changes you can make, and one that’s good for your wallet too. Virtually everything is solar now, from solar-powered lamps, phone chargers and battery banks, and even a solar heating system for your home or RV. Consider also getting a solar-powered roof as a one-time investment for your home, future, and the future of the planet.
9. Make your Pool Eco-Friendly
Pools are a great addition to any home, and they can also be an eco-friendly part of your lifestyle. Even adding a simple cover to your pool and using pumps less often can help save you money on energy costs. If you’re considering putting in a new pool and don’t own one yet, consider going for a natural pool that uses fewer chemicals and is more environmentally friendly to the wildlife around your neighborhood. Pools can also be made green by using a solar-powered heating system and using LED lighting on them.
10. Volunteer for Clean-Ups
Volunteering for clean-ups on the beach or side of the road can be a great way to get community service hours, and also to clean up the environment around you. Sadly, an estimated 14 billion pounds of trash, consisting of mostly plastic, is dumped in the world’s oceans every year, meaning it will take more than one person to put in the effort to get the beaches and oceans clean. You can start off by just yourself, or even with a group of friends or an organization that is just as dedicated to making the world more livable as you are! Beach and environment clean-ups are a great way to make new friends, and know you are doing your part to help save the environment, no matter how small it might seem- it’s not!
11. Upgrade your Landscaping
Have you ever thought about how much water it takes to water your plants and garden, even your front lawn? Switching to a more general lawn with drought-resistant plants can not only save you money on water, but also be a great environmentally friendly lifestyle change. Drought resistant plants include cactuses and succulents, and give a home a more modern feel and look to it. In addition, they’re easy to care for, relatively inexpensive, and easy to install into your back or front yard.
12. Care for Animals Around Your Home
Did you know bees are becoming extinct, and are one of the few animals whose extinctions can have a devastating effect on the world itself? Bees pollinate flowers and are essential to millions of pounds of agriculture every year. If you find bees in your home, call a beekeeper to move the hive out of your home. But, don’t just stop there! Call for professional raccoon removal and professional animal services to ensure wild creatures that are on your property aren’t harmed and are removed from your property without risking their lives. Saving even the smallest creatures such as raccoons, squirrels, and bees also counts as saving the ecosystem.
13. Buy Reclaimed Furniture
If you’re someone who loves to remodel your home, you might spend tons of money buying new furniture and toss out your old furniture without thinking twice about it. In fact, most home owners spent between $5,000 and $10,000 improving their homes in 2018 alone. However, whenever you begin a new home remodeling project, a great environmentally friendly lifestyle change that you can make is buying reclaimed or repurposed furniture. This furniture saves thousands of trees, preventing them from being cut down for wood to make new furniture. In addition, you can also opt for more energy-efficient appliances when doing your home remodeling, as many now come with beautiful features such as stainless steel, and can save you money on energy costs in the long run.
14. Consider Eco-Friendly Roofing
Many parts of your home can be changed to be more eco-friendly. We mentioned going solar, but did you know there are other roofing options to help you live an environmentally friendly lifestyle. A roofer can help install a cool roof, wood shingles, and metal roofing. For a more natural look, you can opt for clay or slate tiles that are eco-friendly and also have a beautiful color and finish. Don’t worry about future roof repair, as many roofing companies will work with you to finish your roofing and replace broken tiles.
15. Make your Car Eco-Friendly
Driving to work with a friend is one way of cutting down on your carbon footprint. However, changing the car you drive to a hybrid or electric can also be a great environmentally friendly lifestyle change. Consider getting environmentally friendly lights, car parts, and even car tires. These parts are easy to recycle, such as and can be made of raw materials. Having a car that is environmentally friendly is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet, as electric and hybrid vehicles can save you tons of money on gas and maintenance.
As the years go on, the pollution in our world keeps getting worse and worse. In fact, two researchers in 2019 found that particulate pollution in the United States increased by 5.5 percent between 2016 and 2018, after declining by over 24 percent between 2009 and 2016. Why is it that so many people aren’t aware of the issue, and haven’t made changes to their lifestyle to fix the issue?
A Lifestyle
What is a lifestyle choice, and why do people have so many different lifestyle choices? A lifestyle is a way in which a group or person lives. It could mean leading an active outdoor lifestyle, such as camping and hiking regularly, it can be a vegan lifestyle, where one has a plant-based diet, or it can simply mean leading a relaxing lifestyle where you reduce stress as much as possible. Lifestyle changes are mostly used in the context of medical changes. For instance, if someone has been found to be overweight, or has pre-diabetes or high cholesterol, lifestyle changes such as cleaning up a diet or exercising regularly can prove to remove the dangerous consequences of being unhealthy.
Other Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can be temporary, such as exercising more while training for a marathon, or they can stick with you for a very long time. These can be lifestyles related to religion and religious practices, or also even your career, such as being in the military and leading a military lifestyle. Lifestyle changes can come and go, or be permanent, but in either case, they can have a lasting impact on not just you but those around you. For instance, if you lead an active lifestyle, and are around others who are also in the same boat of being previously unhealthy, your lifestyle can help turn their lives around and give them inspiration. Lifestyle gurus are everywhere now on social media. From yoga and meditation teachers to anxiety and depression recovery peer supports, lifestyle changes can stick with you for a lifetime.
Lifestyle and the Environment
You might think that lifestyle changes only affect you or even your close friends or family. If you’re an influencer on social media, your lifestyle can even change the lives of your followers. Think of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, who have millions of followers that they can influence with the power of a button! What do these celebrities push on to their followers? Now, more than ever, celebrities and other teachers are pushing an environmentally friendly lifestyle onto others. This is because of the state of the world, and how global warming and pollution is starting to have a negative, lasting impact on the Earth and all of those on it, including you. Living an environmentally friendly lifestyle can be simple, and it can all start with small changes that can last a lifetime. A habit usually takes around 2 to 3 months to form, so practicing these environmentally friendly lifestyle tips below can turn into a habit in no time.
1. Reusable Bags
Many states have now banned the use of plastic bags to grocery shop, as these plastic bags are used to throw away trash and in the home and often end up in landfills. According to statistics from Waste Management, only 1 percent of plastic bags are returned for recycling! That means that the average household only recycles 15 bags a year, while the rest either end up in landfills or on the streets as litter. We all know we use more than 15 bags a year, so the numbers are astonishing. Take a small step toward living an environmentally friendly lifestyle, and opt for using reusable bags made of recycled material instead of plastic bags.
2. Use Reusable Water Bottles and Straws
Water bottles can be a great way to remind us to drink a certain amount of water every couple of hours. They’re portable and come in handy during hiking trips, out for a walk, or even at work. But, have you ever thought of how many water bottles end up in landfills, or never in the recycling bin? Start an environmentally friendly lifestyle by switching to reusable water bottles, flasks, and straws. Water distillers can even help you have clean water everyday right from your home’s sink. The choices for water bottles, straws, and filters are virtually endless nowadays!
3. Change Commuting Methods
Many of us like to commute to and from work by driving there. However, one of the best environmentally friendly lifestyle changes you can make for your health and for the Earth is to commute to work using another method besides driving. Why not bike to work, or even skateboard there? Catching the bus or commuter train is also not a bad idea, and make workplaces even offer incentives if you provide proof of this type of transportation. Points can add up to a personal day also. In addition, you can commute with a friend and save on gas and emissions, and even take the carpool lane to get to work faster.
4. Make a Monthly Donation
If you are able to donate some of your paycheck and income to a good cause, considering making a donation to organizations and environmental groups that are setting out to make a lasting change on the world. The Environmental Defense Fund is a good example, as they work to create solutions for climate change, oceans, wildlife, and habitats. They have a charity navigator score of 94.48 out of 100, which isn’t bad! Other organizations you can donate to are The Nature Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council, and American Rivers just to make a few.
5. Recycle Plastics
Recycling plastics is one of the simplest and most effective environmentally friendly lifestyle choices you can make. Don’t just stop at plastic either. Consider recycling aluminum from soda cans, cat food cans, and food cans also. It’s easy to do so, and recycling plastics and aluminum can even help you earn money when you take your recyclables to a recycling center. You are paid by the weight of the cans you bring in. Be aware that not all plastics will earn you money, such as plastics from large water or milk gallons. Recycling centers will still take your recyclables, however, and put them to good use.
6. Recycle Electronics
Don’t throw out cell phones, laptops, or televisions! Batteries in these electronics require special disposal. Although it’s easy to get frustrated and simply throw away your electronics, make the effort of donating them to an electronics recycling center for them to be re-used and repurposed.
7. Eat Eco-Friendly Foods
Low-impact foods are foods that don’t harm the planet too much in their farming methods. These low-impact foods are also known as sustainable foods, and a little bit of research goes a long way in finding out what sustainable foods you can enjoy without feeling guilty! These include pacific sardines, farmed oysters, mussels, and clams. Generally, meat is not a low-impact or sustainable food, as the farming practices for them take up much farmland and emit pollution. However, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you can enjoy low-impact veggies such as garden peas, lentils, tomatoes, and broccoli. Nuts and potatoes are also a great sustainable food source.
8. Go Solar
Going solar is one of the best environmentally friendly lifestyle changes you can make, and one that’s good for your wallet too. Virtually everything is solar now, from solar-powered lamps, phone chargers and battery banks, and even a solar heating system for your home or RV. Consider also getting a solar-powered roof as a one-time investment for your home, future, and the future of the planet.
9. Make your Pool Eco-Friendly
Pools are a great addition to any home, and they can also be an eco-friendly part of your lifestyle. Even adding a simple cover to your pool and using pumps less often can help save you money on energy costs. If you’re considering putting in a new pool and don’t own one yet, consider going for a natural pool that uses fewer chemicals and is more environmentally friendly to the wildlife around your neighborhood. Pools can also be made green by using a solar-powered heating system and using LED lighting on them.
10. Volunteer for Clean-Ups
Volunteering for clean-ups on the beach or side of the road can be a great way to get community service hours, and also to clean up the environment around you. Sadly, an estimated 14 billion pounds of trash, consisting of mostly plastic, is dumped in the world’s oceans every year, meaning it will take more than one person to put in the effort to get the beaches and oceans clean. You can start off by just yourself, or even with a group of friends or an organization that is just as dedicated to making the world more livable as you are! Beach and environment clean-ups are a great way to make new friends, and know you are doing your part to help save the environment, no matter how small it might seem- it’s not!
11. Upgrade your Landscaping
Have you ever thought about how much water it takes to water your plants and garden, even your front lawn? Switching to a more general lawn with drought-resistant plants can not only save you money on water, but also be a great environmentally friendly lifestyle change. Drought resistant plants include cactuses and succulents, and give a home a more modern feel and look to it. In addition, they’re easy to care for, relatively inexpensive, and easy to install into your back or front yard.
12. Care for Animals Around Your Home
Did you know bees are becoming extinct, and are one of the few animals whose extinctions can have a devastating effect on the world itself? Bees pollinate flowers and are essential to millions of pounds of agriculture every year. If you find bees in your home, call a beekeeper to move the hive out of your home. But, don’t just stop there! Call for professional raccoon removal and professional animal services to ensure wild creatures that are on your property aren’t harmed and are removed from your property without risking their lives. Saving even the smallest creatures such as raccoons, squirrels, and bees also counts as saving the ecosystem.
13. Buy Reclaimed Furniture
If you’re someone who loves to remodel your home, you might spend tons of money buying new furniture and toss out your old furniture without thinking twice about it. In fact, most home owners spent between $5,000 and $10,000 improving their homes in 2018 alone. However, whenever you begin a new home remodeling project, a great environmentally friendly lifestyle change that you can make is buying reclaimed or repurposed furniture. This furniture saves thousands of trees, preventing them from being cut down for wood to make new furniture. In addition, you can also opt for more energy-efficient appliances when doing your home remodeling, as many now come with beautiful features such as stainless steel, and can save you money on energy costs in the long run.
14. Consider Eco-Friendly Roofing
Many parts of your home can be changed to be more eco-friendly. We mentioned going solar, but did you know there are other roofing options to help you live an environmentally friendly lifestyle. A roofer can help install a cool roof, wood shingles, and metal roofing. For a more natural look, you can opt for clay or slate tiles that are eco-friendly and also have a beautiful color and finish. Don’t worry about future roof repair, as many roofing companies will work with you to finish your roofing and replace broken tiles.
15. Make your Car Eco-Friendly
Driving to work with a friend is one way of cutting down on your carbon footprint. However, changing the car you drive to a hybrid or electric can also be a great environmentally friendly lifestyle change. Consider getting environmentally friendly lights, car parts, and even car tires. These parts are easy to recycle, such as and can be made of raw materials. Having a car that is environmentally friendly is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet, as electric and hybrid vehicles can save you tons of money on gas and maintenance.
