Three Easy Ways to Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle

Sustainable Lifestyle

As climate change has shifted from a global debate to become an urgent challenge, many people are looking for ways to live more sustainable lifestyles. If widely adopted, even small changes at an individual level can add up to real results. Luckily, living more sustainably need not be difficult nor expensive.

In fact, many practices can save you money while helping to save the planet. If vou are looking to be greener in your daily life, consider the following tips:

1. Use less electricity

A build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, most importantly, CO2, is causing the earth to overheat, resulting in adverse climate change. Most CO2 emissions come from burning fossil fuels. The government recommends keeping the thermostat at 68°F.

2. Don't waste water

Many people believe that water is a bountiful resource, but nothing could be further from the truth. As 97.5 percent of the earth's water is saltwater, water is both scarce and precious. Treating and pumping freshwater requires energy and harmful chemicals. By using less water, we can reduce the negative impact on the environment. That means never letting the faucet run when brushing teeth, shaving, or rinsing dishes and fixing leaking pipes and dripping taps. Also, use a dishwasher rather than washing by hand. Doing dishes in the sink can LIse Lup to 27 gallons of water. In contrast, a modern dishwasher can use as little as 3 gallons (11 liters) per load.

3. Buy fewer clothes

Fashion manufacturing processes are responsible for over 5 percent of global greenhouse gases, making the fashion industry the second-largest carbon emissions contributor after the oil and gas industry. The production of cheap, on-trend thing has led to consumers buying clothes that are worn only once or twice before being tossed aside. While perfect for staying la mode, 'fast fashion' has escalated the environmental impact of the industry. As a countermeasure, try buying fewer outfits. The good news is that you won't need to live in a fashion wasteland.