Being environmentally conscious is normal. This is the global trend of recent years, when large-scale fires take the lives of millions of plants and animals; microplastics have settled even in breast milk; and glaciers of the sixth continent due to global warming melt right before our eyes.
International organizations and individual states fight for the future of our home, passing “green” laws. However, it is wrong to shift the responsibility for saving nature to the stronger states and people.
In a special project, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) office helps you spend year eco-consciously: with these simple daily actions, you can contribute to the protection of the environment. Those tips were prepared by WWF experts.
WWF emerged 60 years ago with one clear but challenging goal: to stop the degradation of our planet’s natural environment and to help people live in harmony with nature. It is the largest independent environmental organization globally, carrying out more than 1,200 environmental projects annually, drawing the attention of millions of people to environmental problems and opportunities to solve them.
Among the most essential and simple rules that can significantly reduce our harmful effects on nature, in particular, are: give up one-time, economical use of resources and give your things a new life, so as not to provoke overproduction and pollution of the planet. The last point will be helpful to online buying and selling services that will help sell or buy used, but good quality things. Make smart choices that will improve your life.
- Give up plastic disposable use.
Use alternatives – reusable picnic utensils, a walking cup, a water bottle, shopping bags.
- Do not throw away food.
Order and cook no more than you really need. Share with others when you have a surplus. If you are ready to go further – start composting.
- Find out how you can influence government institutions to take into account the interests of nature and people.
For example, if someone plans to build an object in a natural area in your region, you can participate in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process.
(Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.).
- Wash things for temperatures not higher than 30° C.
This will significantly reduce the amount of electricity you use.
- Eat less meat.
Instead, increase the proportion of plant foods in your diet.
This will reduce your carbon and water footprints.
- Clean up garbage behind.
Even the minimum that remains on earth is a burden to nature. If possible, join cleaning activities, such as forests or river banks.
- Support companies that offer goods and services that are friendly to nature and constantly reduce their impact on the environment
- Grow greens and vegetables independently if possible
Sometimes even the balcony of a city apartment can turn into a beautiful garden.
- Take passengers in the car, do not travel alone.
Use public transport or bicycles.
- Choose products without packaging.
Bags and reusable containers will help in transporting any food from the store to the house.
- Buy detergents phosphate-free products that have eco-labels
And it washes dishes well, for example, a mixture of soda and mustard.
- Run and go in for sports outdoor
This is the most affordable and healthiest form of training.
- Give a second life your clothes and accessories – update them or give them to charities.
- Enjoy online applications and mobile applications to make plans and any lists, such as purchases or expenses, to limit the use of paper.
- Join environmental initiatives of his company and non-governmental organizations such as WWF.
Become a volunteer or contribute to support environmental programs.
- Turn off the water, when you brush your teeth.
Install water-saving appliances on the faucet and shower.
- Choose goods without palm oil content.
Palm oil is often used in semi-finished products and cosmetics. Its production, unfortunately, is associated with a significant loss of natural areas.
- Never set fire to fallen leaves and dry grass (in countries with a climate that is appropriate for forests). This is extremely harmful to nature!
- Share tips for a more nature-friendly lifestyle with friends and family
- Consume local and seasonal food.
When buying fish, make sure that the seller is official and his product is legal. Black caviar and sturgeon, for example, should only come from aquaculture (when sturgeons are raised on aquafarms). This is the only legal way to consume this fish. The packaging must contain the CITES code (International Convention defining wildlife prohibited for trade).
- In design planning premises, consider the possibility of using sunlight.
This will reduce the consumption of electricity for heating.
- Reduce consumption of wood products.
If it is impossible to refuse the purchase, look for goods and paper marked FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Use recycled paper (toilet, napkins, etc.) and give a second life to wooden objects.
- Do not support illegal trade in wild species.
Do not breed exotic animals as pets. Most of them are on the CITES lists (International Convention defining wildlife prohibited for trade). Do not use bear bile / fat and preparations containing them for treatment. Do not decorate the house with derivatives of rare species (e.g., bear and lynx) – skins, stuffed animals.
- Sort garbage and hand it over for recycling paper, glass, plastic, metal, electronic devices, batteries.
- Install LED bulbs.
They will reduce both your electricity bills and your environmental footprint.
- Buy less things.
Assess how much you really need your next purchase, try to reduce waste and find ways to use things for as long as possible.
- Read e-books.
Paper books can be borrowed from the library or shared with friends.
- Take care of environmental education of their children.
You can find many materials for this online.
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How to check whether wood, paper, and other forest products are environmentally friendly? Find all the helpful info here!
