As technology evolves, many complicated issues arise. For instance, we’re currently dealing with environmental pollution, climate change, resource depletion, among many others.
So, it’s best to do the little we can do to change our environment positively. As individuals, we can start by making attempts to keep the environment clean.
Now, how can you get started? Well, we’ll explore more than 30+ different ways you as an individual can make your environment clean again. Let’s go!
1. Write letters to the right places
Writing a letter to newspapers, local authorities, and every other person in the position to make positive change is an effective way to keep the environment clean.
Be persistent, but again, humble.
2. Sign petitions
The petitions you sign go a long way in effecting change. Many petitions signed by thousands of people have stopped production processes that harm the environment, the production of items that aren’t environmentally sensitive, improper waste disposal, among many others.
More importantly, have been the effects of our petitions regarding our marine life. For example, petitions regarding improper waste disposal leading to water pollution have significantly made an impact. Of course, there are still several massive changes that need to be made, but the most important thing to do is start.
3. Vote for environmentally-oriented candidates
Our leaders are in the best position to make environmentally positive changes. They can make policies and implement laws directed at protecting the environment.
As such, it’s best to consider the environmental views of candidates contesting significant electoral posts. That way, you can guarantee that you’ve elected someone who has the best interest of the environment at heart.
4. Reach out to political leaders
Our political leaders hold positions of power, which can be used to implement environmentally sensitive laws and policies. So, even if you haven’t voted in an environmentally oriented leader, you can make your case and convince those you reach out to that saving the environment is the priority.
You can start slow; reach out to your city council members and begin the change from your immediate environment.
5. Reach out to big organizations and groups
Big organizations and groups can also significantly influence positive environmental change. It starts by reaching out en mass to them. You can rally other environmentally sensitive people, make videos, write letters, and do many other things you can do to garner their attention.
Then, pitch your reasons and convince them that they are key players in environmental change.
6. Become an active member of your community’s council
The common saying that change starts with you cannot be under-emphasized. You can make some positive impacts by becoming a member of your community’s city council.
However, please note that it’s not enough to become a member. You also have to become an active member by making your gouge heard, vote, and pitch ideas on making the environment a better and cleaner place.
7. Reuse items
One of the biggest consumers of space on our landfills are items that we could have easily reused several more times. These items include but aren’t limited to plastic water bottles, plastic takeout containers, straws, Tupperware, and other items that aren’t biodegradable.
Aside from taking up space on our landfills, they also pollute the environment during their prolonged decomposition process.
8. Buy organic food
Organic food is any food that doesn’t require the use of inorganic fertilizers in its production process. These fertilizers contain components that may not only be harmful to your health but will also certainly have negative impacts on the environment.
Some of them release greenhouse gases, acidic content, and toxins that are bad for the environment. That’s why it’s best to stop buying products that are made from these fertilizers.
9. Donate to non-governmental organizations
We see the changes that non-governmental organizations strive to make. However, the majority of them are underfunded and could use your support.
So, whenever you can, it’s good to donate the little you can. You can also contribute by volunteering with them, getting others to donate to their cause, and propagating information about their existence.
The more people know about these organizations and the impact they’re trying to make, the more financial, physical, and emotional support they’ll get.
10. Plant a tree
The environment is also battling deforestation. We need trees to produce oxygen, protect the ozone layer, among many other things.
However, the mass production of wooden items is taking a toll on our environment, and we can change that through individual contributions.
Imagine if we all planted and nurtured a tree – it would certainly go a long way.
11. Reduce your consumption of fossil fuels
Burning fossils results in the release of toxic gases. Now, these gases are not only bad for us, but they’re also terrible for the environment. They contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, poison wildlife, and pollute our air quality.
12. Reduce your energy-consumption
There are now many energy-saving appliances that help us reduce our energy consumption. Aside from that, you can also choose alternatives when other available ones can help reduce your energy consumption.
For instance, you can take a bus instead of driving. It helps you cut back on fuel consumption. You can also carpool when you have the chance to.
13. Conserve water in your home
Although it seems like the world has an infinite supply of water, it’s still best to conserve it. It’s also a misconception because we can deplete our available water supply, and we’re closer to that than we were a hundred years ago.
So, cut back on your water consumption. Take shorter showers, use less water to do the dishes, and save wetting your lawn for just the summer.
14. Go green!
Now, it always pays to go green. Aside from saving you a significant amount of money, it’ll also save the planet from damage.
You can go green through your waste disposal method, your lighting, energy consumption, among many others.
15. Dispose of your waste properly
Disposing of your waste properly also helps the environment. Prioritize paper and plastic recycling. The impact of plastic on the environment during their decomposition process could wreak untold havoc if we continue at an uncontrolled rate.
16. Repurpose your unwanted items
Yes, recycling is a fantastic way to dispose of unwanted items, but you can start with repurposing them first. Then, you’ll certainly find another use for them in your home, and even if you don’t, you’ll find someone else who will.
17. Compost your Compostable materials
Composting goes a long way in the fight to save our environment. For one, it makes inorganic fertilizers dispensable. When you compost your waste, you provide the soil and your plants with a healthy medium to grow properly.
You’re also reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses, other toxic gases, and harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and soil, respectively.
18. Reduce your chemical consumption
You can cut back on your chemical consumption by refraining from spraying your lawn with chemicals, avoiding using insecticides and pesticides, among many others.
19. Stay away from single-use items
Single-use items take a toll on the environment from their production to their waste disposal process. Additionally, most of them aren’t biodegradable, so their decomposition process is typically long and harmful to the environment too.
20. Find an alternative to gift wrap
Gift wrap is a combination of microplastics, and we cannot recycle it. So, it has a negative environmental impact. As such, it’s best to find alternatives to wrapping gifts during anniversaries and festivities.
21. Avoid plastic water bottles
Now, this is one of the largest contributors to environmental problems. From the production process of plastic water bottles down to its decomposition process, these materials wreak havoc on the environment.
22. Take containers back to the farmers market to be reused
Containers for eggs, fruits, and other items you buy from the farmers’ market can be returned when you go there. The farmers will appreciate this gesture, and of course, it’ll reduce our need to produce more of these containers.
It will help you cut back on our fuel consumption, production processes, and the need to recycle or dispose of more waste.
23. Gather reusable bags for shopping
It’s best to go with your reusable bags when you’re going grocery shopping. It helps cut back on your consumption of shopping bags.
24. Buy in bulk to avoid extra packaging
Every little purchase requires packaging. However, when you buy your items in bulk, you’ll reduce the number of packaging materials you go home with.
25. Stop using plastic straws. Opt for glass and stainless straws instead
Plastic straws are hazardous to the environment. To make matters worse, you cannot recycle them because of their small and complicated sizes.
So, the only way to dispose of them is to put them in the trash can. But, of course, these straws will end up in our landfills and take hundreds of centuries to break down. In the process, they’ll slowly release toxic gases into the soil and the atmosphere, and even when they decompose, we’ll be left with microplastics.
26. Reduce your paper consumption
Paper is produced from trees, and that means deforestation is an inevitable part of its manufacturing process. So, if you can save your files on your system instead of printing them out, then go for it. It’s best only to use paper when you have to.
27. Conserve energy in your home. Turn off all unused appliances
Even though you pay a regular electricity bill, your energy consumption still impacts the environment. So, aside from significantly reducing your monthly electricity bills, you’re also protecting the planet.
28. Take your food containers when you’re going to restaurants
Regular takeouts will leave you with a ton of takeout containers to dispose of. Now, these materials aren’t exactly environmentally friendly, so you can make the environment better by taking your containers to restaurants instead of accepting their takeouts.
29. Avoid chewing gum
Chewing gum, no matter how insignificant it seems, has a massive effect on the environment. But, unfortunately, the result doesn’t decompose, and as little, as it seems, it’ll take at least five years to break down.
30. Reduce your fuel consumption
You can cut back on your fuel consumption by taking joint rides, bus rides, or even walking walkable distances. You can also seek alternative methods to mowing your lawn with lawnmowers.
31. Store your data online instead of on paper
Thanks to technology, we now have devices that can store tons of information for a long time. There are also fantastic backup options, so it’s almost unlikely that you’ll lose your information.
32. Don’t print more than you have to
When you have to print materials, it’s best to avoid printing more than you need. That way, you cut back on your paper consumption.
Conclusion
Anne Marie Bonneau said, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it perfectly.” So, the environment needs us individually to make a positive change.
