9 Things You Can Do to Help the Environment

With the increasing concerns over global warming, more and more people are looking for ways to help the environment.

Saving the environment does not have to feel like an impossible task. By making small changes, you can start making a difference in the world. Here are some of the many changes to implement into your life.

1. Donate to Organizations

There are hundreds of incredible Wildlife Conservation Organizations that work to conserve National Parks and wildlife areas. These organizations help to reduce the number of trees and the destruction of greenery. This, in turn, can decrease the rates of global warming while also maintaining wildlife habitats.

Many of these organizations rely on donations to continue doing their amazing work. Finding a way to donate can provide the help they need. This can be through personal donations or fundraisers.

2. Recycle Your Paper

There are huge areas of forests that are being destroyed to make paper. Although paper may be necessary in some cases, there are immense amounts being wasted. Do your part by cutting down the amount of paper you use.

With digital media growing, it’s becoming easier to reduce the amount of paper you use. Instead of writing your notes, try typing them into your phone. Instead of printing out a document to sign it, use an electronic signature and email it to the relevant people. There are so many small changes like these that you can do every day to massively reduce the amount of paper that you use. As more and more people do the same, fewer trees will need to be chopped down.

3. Use Reusable Bags

Avoid getting brand-new plastic bags every time you go food shopping. Instead, take a reusable canvas bag or just take your normal everyday bag or backpack to fill up.

4. Recycle to Reduce Waste

Recycling is one of the best ways to help the environment. Most products you use will produce some form of waste which could end up in a landfill or in the ocean. This has negative consequences for the planet and its wildlife.

However, recycling your produce reduces the amount of new material that has to be processed. There are dedicated bins for recyclable plastics and metals, for paper, and for compost, so make sure to use them!

You can also upcycle. This is when you take an old item and you transform it into something new. It’s a great way to recycle while being creative and having fun. For example, you could take a bunch of clothes that you no longer wear, and reuse the material to make new items. Or you could clean out an empty candle jar and use it as a plant pot or use it as a money jar.

Recycling is not confined to material things. It is also relevant to food. It’s estimated that around a third of the food that is produced across the world is wasted. Limit yourself to buying foods that you know you will eat. If you end up buying too much, consider donating to a local food shelter, and place your leftovers in the compost bin.

5. Save Water

In order for us to have safe water to drink, it must first be obtained from the planet before going through a filtering process. From here, it is packaged up into single-use plastic bottles or fed into the pipes of your home.

You can easily reduce the amount of water you consume by making small daily changes.

When you pour yourself a glass of water, make sure you drink all of it and avoid throwing it down the sink

• Turn the tap off when you’re brushing your teeth
• Limit the amount of water you use when doing the washing up
• Don’t turn the shower on until you’re ready to get in
• Don’t put a wash load on until the washing machine is full

Drink clean tap water instead of bottled water to avoid your consumption of single-use plastics to further help the environment.

6. Reduce the Amount of Electricity You Use

Overuse of electricity can damage the environment significantly. Most of the electricity that supplies our homes is obtained through the burning of non-renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels. By turning off the lights when you leave the room or by turning off the TV when you head out to work, you can reduce the amount of electricity you use, as well as saving yourself some money on the bills!

7. Think About the Brands You Support

Every product we buy and use has some kind of impact on the environment. Everything requires a level of production and transportation to reach your door. However, by thinking carefully about which brands you support, you can indirectly help the environment.

There are many brands that are vocal about their ethical and sustainable practices. They obtain materials from renewable and sustainable sources while abiding by fair trade regulations. This can involve reducing the water or non-renewable energy they use to make their products, limiting waste and carbon dioxide production, and paying their employees’ fair wages.

Reduce the amount of clothing you buy from fast fashion brands. Instead, search for small ethical businesses that focus on sustainability or buy second-hand items from local charity shops.

8. Walk When You Can

Even the smallest changes make a large difference when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. Non-renewable energy sources, like petrol and diesel, are used to fuel most vehicles at the moment, and it will be a while until electric cars become widely available. Even electric cars contribute a small amount to your carbon footprint.

By choosing to walk instead of driving short distances, you can massively reduce the amount of fuel you burn through. If you hate walking, why not try cycling?

9. Educate Others

Not everybody chooses to read up about the impacts that humans are having on the environment. By using your voice to speak up about these issues, you can spread the word. Educate others in your local community by offering important information about global warming and climate change. Tell your friends and family about sustainability and recycling. The more people you tell, the bigger the impact you can make when it comes to saving the environment.