Every day we see more and more shocking news stories about the effects of our actions on the environment, for example, animals becoming trapped in plastic packaging or covered in oil, and huge landfills full of our rubbish. We hear such worrying statistics about global warming and the evidence offered by the changing Arctic environment, but what are we doing to stop it?

It’s easy to think that you cannot make a difference to such a big problem on your own, however by making changes to your own habits you can be part of a wider movement which is growing, and which will have a real impact. Here, we run through some ideas on what you can change about your everyday lifestyle to enable you to become part of such an amazing movement.

Energy Usage

First things first, the majority of our electricity, water and gas comes from non-renewable sources which not only have an expiry date but also produce harmful toxins when manufactured. It is therefore crucial that you do everything you can to cut down on your usage. Luckily thanks to Smart Home Installation we can now see exactly how much energy we are using with our various devices so it’s easy to see where we need to cut down.

Smart homes also allow you to switch on your heating remotely when you need it, so you don’t have to leave it on all day. Try to keep your heating turned off until it is really needed, and instead put on some more layers of clothing. Kettles use a lot of energy so try not to go overboard with hot drinks or hot water bottles, and try to shorten the time you spend in the shower. Smart homes can also link up sensors which can tell when you’ve left the room and turn your lights off, which is a great energy saving feature.

Recycling

Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash

Recycling doesn’t just mean separating your rubbish into different materials ready for the depot, which is an important aspect, it also means re-using your own belongings where possible rather than buying new which will eventually become waste, such as plastic bags. Another way to recycle is to buy goods which have been made from recycled materials and making sure you only buy products which can be recycled. Luckily, manufacturers and supermarkets are beginning to play their role in minimising non-recyclable waste.

How You Shop

It is not only food shops which have the power to make a difference to the human impact on the environment. By choosing to buy locally produced food you are helping to cut down on emissions from shipping, and buying food that is in season helps to cut down on the number of artificial contaminants used in their production. Clothes shops are starting to take more responsibility for the materials they use in their products, but it is also important that you don’t make impulse buys and end up with surplus belongings which you then dispose of.

There are lots of things you can do to contribute towards saving the environment and by following these few simple steps you can have a real impact. For more lifestyle tips, take a look at other posts on  onefrazzledmum.com.