Simple tips for taking small steps to become more earth friendly that you can begin today!
We’ve all become so accustomed to society's modern way of living for so long, it seems we've almost forgotten how to go back. But if you start to make small steps you'd be surprised by the changes you can make!
A lot of us think that being sustainable or considering the environment means compensating for affordable prices or performance of products. But this isn’t the case at all!
Let me share with you some of my top tips for taking small steps to being more earth friendly that are so simple you can start today!
Buy A Reusable Bottle and/or Cup
First of all let’s start nice and easy, because essentially what you are doing is unpinning years of habits and lifestyle which is never a walk in the park.
The most effective step you can take is to cut down your plastic consumption. We all know that one of the biggest issues with the planet at the moment is plastic pollution.
Now, I’m not telling you to go to a beach and collect all the rubbish; although that would be great. My suggestion is much more simple - buy yourself a reusable bottle!
Alternatively, if you’re a coffee drinker get yourself a reusable cup. You can get yourself a fancy one online and bring it with you everywhere; coffee on the go but in style. So simple but so incredibly effective.
Make sure that it is a bottle that you know you will keep using and take everywhere with you. My water bottle is now a necessity that I take everywhere I go and I’ve noticed from doing that alone, I purchase much less plastic than I did previously. I have also noticed myself drinking a lot more water too so that’s just an extra bonus!
You might think some bottles are overpriced but trust me it’s worth buying a sturdy one that will last. Plus it works out much cheaper in the long run than buying bottled water! I guarantee you that from doing this alone you will make a huge difference.
2. Use A Reusable Shopping Bag
My next small but big step for you is to bring your own bag whenever you go shopping! And if you don’t already have one, get one! I know we’re all guilty of forgetting them but this is essential to cutting down your use of unnecessary plastic. It’s such a simple but effective action you can take to save the planet.
My top tip to prevent you from forgetting to take one with you is , wherever you hang your coat or bag, put your reusable shopping bag there too. So in effect when you go out and grab your belongings, you see the bag and remember to take it with you! How easy was that?
3. Cut Out Fast Fashion
Speaking of shopping, how many of you are guilty of shopping with unsustainable brands? I know I have been, but fear not because it’s never too late to change! If you can slowly ebb out of the tidal wave also known as fast fashion, not only are you being more environmentally friendly, you are also being kind to mankind.
I understand not everyone can afford ethical high end fashion and brands that will last longer. Simultaneously, charity shops are a great alternative and you can find some great bargains.
I highly recommend checking out your local charity shops, I have lost count of the amount of hidden gems I’ve come across and for a fraction of the price you would pay if it was new! It’s better on your pockets and the money goes to a good cause so everyone’s a winner!
I also recommend shopping at Lush if you can afford it. I use Lush shampoo bars and you may look at them and think for their size they’re pricey but not only did it make my hair feel and smell great, it lasts so much longer than a bottle of any shampoo I have ever had.
So technically, you end up spending less in the long run. They also reuse their plastics and have minimal packaging which is another bonus. If you bought shampoo bars instead of shampoo bottles can you imagine yearly how much less plastic waste you alone are contributing!
4. Reduce Unnecessary Car Journey
Remember that petrol crisis that happened not that long ago? People on foot, bikes and public transport didn’t have that problem, just saying. This takes me to another step you can make, reducing unnecessary car journeys. Instead try walking or using other alternatives when you can.
Obviously, a lot of people rely on their cars to take them to work, to take their children to school, get to important appointments and so much more. The key word I used is ‘reducing', aim toward cutting unnecessary consumption of fuel down.
So if you’ve run out of milk and you have a shop that is a 5 minute walk away, then take that stroll instead. This is quite a significant factor because global warming is a serious issue.
Do me a small favour. Picture your favourite animal, it could be your pet, it could be an animal you think is cute or cool, it could be anything you want. Now picture never being able to see another one ever again. It’s gone extinct, along with the West African Black Rhino, Baji White Dolphin, Pyrenean Ibex, Passenger Pigeon, Tasmanian Tiger, Dodo, and too many more.
There are also too many other animals critically endangered, these include species of elephant, leopard, turtle, monkey, panda and the blue whale. Causes of extinction are climate change, raising sea levels, habitat destruction, pollution and much more. In other words, us as humans have done this and we’re all guilty of contributing.
In this day and age, it is hard not to, as everything is so accessible and laziness is encouraged and shoved in our faces. Too many animals have gone extinct. My examples are just the tip of the iceberg, and at the rate this planet is going, without change, I wouldn’t rule any animal out. This is why it is so important to begin to make changes, no matter how big or small every little helps!
5. Educate Yourself
I understand not everyone can always feel motivated or have that get up and go whether that’s from physical or mental health or you’re just having a lazy day. This leads me to my final suggestion which is to educate yourself!
So to make things easier for you and a bit less intense, I have gathered together some great songs with deep thought evoking messages that are sure to get you thinking and reconsidering your actions!
This step literally requires no work from you apart from listening. This is a great form of education as you can hear the messages in slightly different forms and with varied approaches.
Education could possibly the most important factor here because understanding the impact of our actions is crucial to leading to the change that is required to rescue the planet!
I highly advise actually reading more about the environment to educate yourself on a higher level but this is a slightly more enjoyable and a less time consuming way for people that are just starting out their journey to being more earth friendly! I hope you enjoy and appreciate these songs:
1. Earth Song – Michael Jackson
2. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Marvin Gaye
3. Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell
4. Heal The World – Michael Jackson
5. Time Is Ticking Out – The Cranberries
6. Don’t Go Near The Water – The Beach Boys
7. Eyes Wide Open – Goyte
8. My City Was Gone – The Pretenders
9. Colours Of The Wind – Pocahontas
10. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
I decided to end it on a hopeful song to show it’s never too late to turn it around and of course to never lose hope!
Even if all you do from this is pass this blog onto someone else to read, or offer a friend some of the tips you have learnt or even if you just send one of the songs to someone, that is a step in the right direction and you should feel proud of your progress!
Be a pioneer. Make and be the change that the planet is in desperate need of. Anyone is capable of saving the world all you have to do is start now. It’s never too late.
By Jade Godfrey ©