Eco Living

There are many actions we can take to live a more sustainable life, from small, every day deeds to bigger changes. Eco living entails a new attitude to the planet and its resources, an acknowledgement that Mother Earth is finite and that we cannot simply carry on with business as usual. One of the most established aspects of eco living is reducing, reusing and re-cycling, in that order. Reducing consumption is the first step towards a green living standard. Before buying something we should ask ourselves whether we actually need it. If we decide to go ahead with a purchase, then we should make sure it comes from an ethical source, both from a human and environmental perspective. Fair trade, organic and recycled are some of the markers of an ethical product.

Reusing a product or the remains of it is also part and parcel of living a green lifestyle. You may want to turn wine bottles into candle holders. Some people turn Tetra Pak cartons into wallets. With almost any material there are ideas splashed across the web to re-use them and give them a second lease of life. If reusing is not an option, then it must be recycled according to local government rules. Energy is a major source of emissions, therefore implementing energy efficiency measures is an important aspect of sustainable living. Proper insulation, buying domestic appliances with the Energy Star certification (which means it needs less power) and buying or producing renewable energy such as solar and wind can have a huge impact on decreasing a household’s ecological footprint.

Transportation is also a major source of pollution. Avoiding unnecessary car rides is the most obvious step to take. Ridesharing, which is becoming increasingly popular, also helps. Cycling is a great option, not only for the environment, but also for health reasons. As electric cars become more commonplace, and the charging network expands, it is definitely a cleaner, emissions-free option which is ideal in several different scenarios.

Finally, adopting a vegetarian diet is widely recommended as part of eco living. A famous UN report from 2006 revealed that livestock contributes 18% of all emissions, which means it is the biggest source of greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere. Besides, with the obesity crisis raging across the globe, a vegetarian diet is a great way to mitigate the risk of developing diabetes and heart problems. It can be fun trying out new recipes and the whole family can benefit from it, not to mention the planet.