The best ways YOU can help save the planet right now

Save the planet, Reduce your consumption of animal products – or go vegan.

Meat consumption is one of the most significant contributors to climate change. According to the UN, meat production constitutes over 14% of all man-made greenhouse gases, including methane. An MIT study has shown that producing a pound of meat emits roughly 15 times the CO2 used to farm a pound of peas, corn, or wheat. Roughly 60% of our land is used to feed livestock for meat production, which often means cutting down large forest areas.

Swapping a few meat meals for plant-based alternatives every week can make a difference. Those who love red meat should try the plant-based meat of the new company Redefine Meat, which creates incredibly meaty-tasting products using high-quality ingredients and a revolutionary new method of food production involving 3D printing. Other tasty vegan meals include flavourful falafels in a pita, quinoa dishes with Napolitana sauce and nuts, or pizza with vegan cheese – which is incredibly delicious! PS – How many vegan products are good for your health?

Keep pressuring the government to change.

The biggest changes come from those in power; with enough pressure from the ground up, they will be forced to make them. Choose a specific issue you care about – decisions about greenhouse gasses from large companies, cycling infrastructure, waste management, recycling, and green spaces – and lobby for a specific law change with a local team or a city movement. Getting involved with groups such as #ActNow and Count Us In can make a difference. Remember that your voice is important.

Conserve energy

Turn your home into an energy-efficient, money-saving hub with these ideas:

• Add padding and insulation to conserve power from your heating system in winter and aircon in summer
• Replace your furnace with a heat pump (which extracts and moves heat around from one place to another)
• Buy appliances that are marked as energy-saving and use power-saving lightbulbs
• Wash clothes in cold water
• Avoid using a dryer as much as possible
• Keep appliances, computers, and TVs unplugged when not in use

Cut back on flying

If flying is avoidable, use other means of transport, such as a train or electric car, or switch your meeting to a Zoom call. Choose holiday destinations closer to home and/or fly economy (business class leaves a carbon footprint three times higher). Speak to your boss about reducing air travel within the company. If you HAVE to fly, pay a little extra for carbon offsetting.

Go green for other transport.

Other forms of transport contribute heavily to greenhouse gases, too. Try some of the following:

• Switch to a hybrid or electric car – and simultaneously find some added luxuries
• Carpool with friends, family, or co-workers – and sneak some more fun into your day
• Take public transport – allowing you to catch up on work, reading, or self-development through videos and podcasts
• Cycle – and get your exercise for the day in, at the same time
• Advocate for cycle lanes locally – and inspire others.

Shop local and buy sustainable

Buying local, sustainable goods and choosing seasonal foods (which can also be a fun way of choosing meals and adapting or creating menus) will help offset your carbon footprint. Opting for items and food produced locally reduces the fossil fuel emissions caused by trucks and other transport vehicles. Finding sustainable products is much easier than it seems, with more and more grocery stores and smaller establishments supplying these items daily. Many vegetables are also easy to grow – or you could create or join a neighborhood garden (with the added benefit of building community in your area).

Find out where your money is going.

Several banks, large corporate companies, and pension funds invest in fossil fuel companies. You could either choose an environmentally conscious option before doing business or ask to opt out of any contributions towards fossil fuels.

Whether through your interactions with small companies or your place of business, you choose where your funds are used. Start becoming aware of where you shop, eat, and do business and what associations these places have.

Spread awareness for saving the planet.

Whatever information you find as part of this journey, share it with loved ones, friends, coworkers, or on social media – knowledge is power! Often, people do not make certain choices because they do not think the other options are even available. Talk about the changes you’ve made, especially the “hows, ” and inspire others to make a few easy adaptations.

Conclusion

Plenty of other small and easy lifestyle adaptations have a large impact, such as cleaning your home in an environmentally friendly way. All changes you make, count – cheer yourself on and do whatever you can to be part of the fight against climate change.