(Newswire.net — November 22, 2022) — You don’t need to drive a Tesla or live off-grid to help fight climate change. There are simple things you can do that can have a significant impact. The problem with many ideas is that it all comes with hefty price tags and lots of hard work, but there are simple things you can do right now.
The good news is that you can make a difference by altering your routine. Many people focus too much on the big picture and forget about all the little things they can do. Here are seven ways your household can be a part of climate change.
1. Unplug Electronics
Anything plugged into an outlet consumes phantom power, whether or not it’s in use. These small charges add up over time. Unplug things you’re not using, and you can save money and help with climate change.
2. Plant Trees
Trees are being cut down at alarming rates to make room for new developments. However, you can plant a tree and help with the climate. Trees act as a natural air purification system, and the more trees you plant, the healthier the atmosphere.
3. Limit Your Shower Time
A 15-minute shower feels good, but you’re using a lot of water. You don’t need to spend that much time in the shower to get clean. Water conservation is a huge concern. The earth is about 70% covered with water. Sadly, over 95 % of this is salt water.
Very few areas process salt water for drinking, as it requires an expensive process called desalination. It further adds to the problem that 2% of the water on this planet is not accessible, as it’s either frozen or beneath the ground where deep prolusion lies. Only about 1% of the water on planet earth is suitable for drinking and bathing, so it puts things into perspective.
Each minute you shower, you use around two gallons of water. An eight-minute shower uses around 16 gallons. You will save six gallons in just one bath if you can cut back to five minutes. Now, imagine if a family of five cut back on the showers.
4. Use Refillable Water Bottles
Get rid of plastic water bottles and opt for a refillable one. There are 50 billion water bottles sold in the US each year, and sadly, more than eight million tons end up in the ocean. Switching to a refillable one is advantageous.
5. Invest in Solar Energy Products
Solar energy is always better than fossil fuels because it’s free. Harvesting the power from the sun is something that everyone should do. These panels are effortless to maintain, and most systems will last up to 25 years.
It’s become increasingly affordable to add solar power to your home, and you can reduce the CO2 emissions used for electricity.
6. Walk or Ride a Bike
Another way that you can help the climate, as well as your body, is to walk or ride a bike more. It depends on where you live and how far things are from you, but you can undoubtedly benefit from a ride-share program. The atmosphere will improve with each car that’s parked.
7. Stop Using Plastic Grocery Bags
The amount of plastic that’s used in this country is astounding. Bringing your own grocery bags to the store is helpful. It takes over 1,000 years for a bag to decompose, which is shocking.
How many bags do you throw away each shopping trip? It’s estimated that this country uses 500 million bags each year. It takes a lot of petroleum to make these bags, and the amount of gas used to make one bag could drive your car over 375 feet.
This list is just a few things you can do to help the climate. Teaching your children and grandchildren conservation methods helps make them a normal part of everyday life. Together, everyone working for change can make a difference.