8 easy and cheap ways to live an eco-friendly lifestyle
According to recent opinion polls, most people consider climate change to be a serious threat. However, today, the willingness and ability to lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle is still determined by the level of income,
For people who earn little, CNBC reports, this level is not available. This is partly due to the fact that certain consumer goods are subject to a "green" surcharge. Many people cannot afford serious investments in improving the energy efficiency of their homes.
Yet everyone can contribute to the environmental safety of the planet. Here are 8 simple and profitable ways to do so.
Switch to LED bulbs
Replacing incandescent light bulbs in your home with LEDs is an effective environmental solution and a great way to save money.
According to the Department of Energy, LEDs consume 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and 3-5 times longer than compact fluorescent bulbs.
Reduce the amount of food waste
What will it do? Reducing the amount of food waste will save emissions in the food supply chain in agricultural production, such as tractor fuel and fertilizer, as well as in other areas such as refrigeration and food distribution.
Storing organic waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere 25 times more than carbon dioxide.
Turn off all unnecessary appliances
Many household appliances consume energy from the grid in the background and increase your energy bills by an average of $100-200 per year.
Turn off these devices when they are not in use. You can also plug them into an extension cord or wall outlet with a wall switch and activate the system when needed.
Make your home airtight
Heating and cooling account for almost half of the average home's energy consumption. Taken together, small leaks throughout the house are equivalent to an open window of 1 square meter.
Simple measures such as caulking windows and installing draft protection under doors can save up to 20% of heating costs.
Save water
Saving water is important because water purification is an energy-intensive process.
There are many ways to reduce water consumption. For example, by fully loading dishwashers and clothes washers. And if you wash dishes by hand, use two bowls - one for washing and one for rinsing.
In addition, use cold water whenever possible, and use a clothesline to dry your clothes in warm weather.
Change your diet
According to experts, eating plant-based foods and reducing red meat consumption is environmentally sound, and even cheaper and healthier.
For example, greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of beef are about 7 times higher than those of farm-raised fish, 10 times higher than those of chicken, and 230 times higher than those of nuts or root vegetables. This is largely due to the fact that cows produce large amounts of methane.
Use your car efficiently
Car owners who are environmentally conscious should use their cars more wisely. For example, combine trips into "chains". An example is picking up groceries on the way home from work, rather than a single trip to the store.
Households with more than one car can apply the concept of choosing the most efficient car for a particular trip. For example, you may choose to drive a sedan to work rather than an SUV or pickup truck.
In addition, public transportation, walking, and cycling are all available to you.
Don't be silent
Experts believe that reducing individual carbon footprints can have an impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by businesses. According to them, the industry will respond to consumer choices, moods, and buying behavior.
Make a difference by telling your friends, family, and colleagues how they are saving money by living a greener lifestyle.