Are you looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact? Many people are taking action to lead a greener lifestyle right now, and it is easy to see why. There have been many shocking climate events around the world in recent times, and experts are urging people to take action. Plus, the recent Cop26 event has thrust environmental protection into the limelight and inspired people to take action. There are lots of big and small steps that people can take to reduce their impact, so keep reading for a few ideas that will reduce your environmental impact and could improve your life in other ways too.
Solar Panel Installation
One of the most effective ways to reduce your environmental impact is to have solar panels installed at home. These panels will convert energy from the sun into clean electricity to power your home, which can greatly reduce or even eliminate your energy consumption from fossil fuels. Not only will this slash your environmental impact, but it could eliminate your energy bill and improve your financial situation too.
Drive An Electric Car
Many motorists are making the switch to electric vehicles, and now is a good time to do this. Practically every major manufacturer has an electric vehicle in their range, and there are excellent EVs in every category. Plus, the battery technology and charging infrastructure have both improved greatly over the years. Again, there are long-term financial benefits to switching that make it a smart decision to make.
Drive Less
It is also a good idea to drive less if you are able to. Instead of immediately grabbing the keys when you need to leave the house, consider if you could walk or cycle instead. This is better for the environment, it is free and can improve your health also.
Change Your Diet
Many experts state that the best step that you can take to reduce your environmental impact is to become a vegan. This is certainly a fantastic step to take, but it is understandable that many do not want to make such a big lifestyle change. If you do not feel that you want to become a vegan or you want to take a smaller step first, you should try to eat less meat throughout the week and eat a more plant-based diet.
Increase Recycling
Households should also try to increase recycling where possible to prevent landfill from building up even more. It can be hard to know exactly what can and cannot be recycled, so you should get into the habit of checking every label and making sure that it is as easy to recycle an item as it is to throw something away. Another great tip is to have the recycling bins next to the rubbish bin.
Use A Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat controlled by your smartphone in the home helps you to have greater control over your central heating so that you only use it when you need it. Again, this will help you to both reduce your environmental impact and reduce your energy bill each month, so it is a win-win.
Use Propane
Using propane at home instead of oil heating and electricity is another positive step to take. Propane burns cleaner than other fossil fuels with low carbon content, which will help you to reduce your impact while still being able to use home and outdoor heating, kitchen appliances, and generators. You can get Penn Jersey propane gas delivery, installation, and maintenance from specialists that will help you to make the most out of propane to reduce your impact and save you money each month.
Wash Clothes On A Cold Setting
Washing clothes at a warm temperature can use up a huge amount of energy, especially if you are using the washing machine often throughout the week. Washing clothes using a cold setting is an effective way to reduce your energy consumption. This will still clean your clothes to a high standard and could prolong the life of your clothing too. If possible, air-drying your clothes instead of using a dryer can also help you to reduce your impact.
Turn Off Electronics When Not In Use
There is the joke of everyone having a parent that runs around after their kids turning off the lights and other electrics when not in use to save money, but this is actually smart, particularly in a time with rising energy costs. In addition to saving money, this can make a big difference to your environmental impact, so you need to get into the habit of turning lights off when you leave a room and turning off things like computers and TVs when they are not being used.
Avoid Single-Use Plastics
Avoiding single-use plastics and focusing on reusable materials is smart and something that many people are now starting to do. This will include things like taking your own bags to the grocery store, avoiding purchasing food with plastic packaging, and using a reusable coffee mug.
Buy Second-Hand
To live a greener lifestyle, you will want to prevent waste in any way that you can. One way to do this is to buy items that are second-hand. It is easy to buy second-hand clothes, furniture, entertainment, and more online these days, and many of the pieces available could still be in great condition. This could also help you to make savings, and it is a great feeling when you can get a good deal. Additionally, you should look to sell items that you no longer need to prevent waste and for some extra money in your pocket.
These are all effective ways to reduce your environmental impact, and many could save you money too. There are both big and small steps to take, so if you do not feel ready to make a major change right now, then you can start off with something small. Everyone needs to take action in their lives now to make a positive difference, and even a small step is a step in the right direction.
