13 Jul Simple Ways to Live Green
There’s a lot of talk these days about being more environmentally conscious and taking care of the earth we live on. Frankly, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to think about all the environmental issues that are stacking up. It’s easy to feel discouraged and doubt that our individual efforts make a dent in the concerns facing our planet. In this article we will discuss simple ways to live green.
But, here’s the thing. Big changes don’t typically come overnight, and today’s best minds in science, technology, and forward-thinking are finding better ways to address these problems. And in our every day, there are simple things we can do to be more aware of our environmental footprint. While this list certainly isn’t comprehensive, it still offers some habits we can implement in our lives and pass on to our children, too.
Recycle. We hear this all the time. Some people live in cities where recycling is mandatory, but other folks have the choice. If you’re not used to doing it, it’s easy to make the change, and you’ll be surprised how much stuff ends up going in the recycling can instead of the trash. Try it! It’s easy, and it’s an easy feel good, too!
Turn off the lights. If you’re not in a room, turn off the lights. If you’re not listening to the music, turn the stereo system off. Being mindful of how much electricity you’re using and making an intentional effort to turn things off can help, and it’s a good practice for our kids to learn, too.
Along the same lines, be more cognizant of how much water you’re using. Take quicker showers. Don’t let the water run and run. Turn it off while you brush your teeth. If you get in the habit of noticing how much water you’re using, you’ll be surprised at how much is being wasted and find yourself trying even harder to conserve more!
Use reusable grocery bags instead of requesting plastic each time you’re at the store. Plastic doesn’t break down, and filling the landfills with it is a bad gig. Any way you can recycle plastic (and reduce using it in general) is always a good plan.
Turn off your car instead of letting it idle. Sometimes it’s easy to stop and chat with a friend and just hang out in the car, cuz you’re only planning to stop for a minute. Before you know it, you’ve been talking for 20 minutes or more. It’s always a good idea to cut the engine instead of letting the exhaust keep emitting stuff into the air when you aren’t even driving.
All of us, from time to time, have to replace appliances after the old ones have seen better days. Even though they might be a bit more expensive, forking out a little more to purchase models that are high efficiency and use less water and electricity is something you can feel good about every time.
Xeriscape. If you’re landscaping your yard, consider going with something that doesn’t require a lot of water to maintain. It’s also a great idea to look into plants that are native to your area and climate. So, if you live in a desert, you’ll want to go with plants that require less water and are drought resistant, as opposed to plants that are okay in the heat but require lots of water to survive.
Choose to move your body by walking and biking more. Not only is this better for the environment, but your body will thank you, too. There are so many benefits associated with regular exercise, and a lot of us get used to using a car for distances that we could easily negotiate with a bike or on foot.
Lastly, you can carpool and use transportation mediums that are more environmentally friendly. If you’re going the same place as others, ride together and take less vehicles. If you live in a busy city, take advantage of public transport. And if you’re traveling with a large group of people? Ahhh…this is where we come in. We specialize in group transportation and would love to help you get from Point A to Point B! Follow this link to learn more about our commitment to Green Transportation: https://www.firstclasstours.net/services-in-use/green/ Call us today so we can customize a quote for your group and help you make a choice that’s better for the environment too!