Whether you are an avid gardener, a homeowner, a renter or just someone who loves the outdoors, there’s no escaping the effects of climate change. And with its implications for agriculture and the environment becoming more prevalent by the day, the concept of sustainable living becomes more important than ever.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to become more sustainable without sacrificing your leisure time or your fun activities outside. From planting seeds to setting up backyard birdhouses, these DIY projects help you cut down on your carbon footprint while also helping the environment in other ways.
Take shorter showers
If you want to conserve water, one of the easiest ways to go about it is by taking shorter showers. You may also want to consider installing low-flow showerheads. If you live in an apartment building, you may also want to think about asking your landlord to install low-flow plumbing fixtures in order to save even more water. When it comes to saving water, what might be a small change for some people is a big difference for others. For those living in areas where the water supply is limited or is under threat, conserving water is the single most important thing that you can do to help save water.
Install solar panels
Whether you are looking to generate your own electricity or just help reduce your household’s carbon footprint, installing solar panels is one of the best ways to do so. If you want to make a bigger impact, you can partner with a group like Energy for Humanity to help organize fundraising activities to provide clean energy to communities that need it most. You can also look into installing solar panels on your roof and then selling the electricity back to the local electric utility.
Plant drought-resistant trees and shrubs
There are tons of different landscaping options you can use to help reduce your carbon footprint, but nothing is more effective than planting drought-resistant trees and shrubs. Not only will these plants help you reduce your water usage, but they are also a great way to beautify your outdoor spaces. While selecting the right planting options, make sure that you also consider your outdoor climate and microclimate to ensure that they are the right choice for your area and sustainable.
Set up a rain barrel system
If you have a rooftop or a balcony, you can set up a rain barrel system to help reduce the amount of water that you use. Once you have collected rainwater, you can use it to water your plants, wash your car and even use it to power your home. This is a great way to increase your independence and help save the environment at the same time. If you want to get more creative with how you set up your system, you can also use rain barrels to help irrigate your garden or even to help generate clean drinking water for local communities.
Install permeable paving
Do you have an empty lot or a patch of land at your home that you’d like to use for greenery? One of the best ways to do so is by installing permeable paving. This will allow the water and nutrients to flow down the slope, helping to nourish the soil. This is a great way to help your plants grow while also giving the land a much-needed boost of nutrients.
Create your own compost bin
If you have a backyard or a balcony, you can help cut down on your carbon footprint and increase the amount of nutrients in your soil by using it to create your own compost bin. By using this method, you will be able to compost organic waste, which will then add plenty of nutrients to your soil while also reducing your carbon footprint.
Don’t waste water – install low-flush toilets
Another way to help reduce your carbon footprint is by not wasting any water. This can be done in a variety of ways, but the easiest and most effective is by installing low-flush toilets. This will allow you to flush your toilet much less often, which will not only save water, but will also reduce the amount of water that you use when flushing your toilet.
Learn to ride your bike or scooter
If biking or scooting to work is an enjoyable way for you to get around, you can help reduce your carbon footprint by learning to ride your bike or scooter. This will not only help you to avoid polluting the air, but it will also help to reduce congestion on the road and in your own neighbourhoods. One of the easiest ways to do so is by practicing your route beforehand and using a bike or scooter route planner to help you find the best route.
Protect the oceans and wildlife
When thinking of ways to help reduce your carbon footprint, protecting the oceans and wildlife is something that you will want to think about. Not only might this help to decrease pollution in your daily life, but it will also help to protect the future of marine life and the wildlife that resides in these environments. If you have a boat, you can help to protect the oceans by using it sparingly and choosing to travel by boat only when absolutely necessary.
Stay involved in local government and politics
If you want to make a bigger impact in regards to helping to reduce your carbon footprint, you will want to consider getting more involved in local government and politics. By doing so, you can help to protect and expand the resources available to you and your community. This can be done by becoming more involved with your local government, participating in your community and participating in local politics. Keep in mind that when it comes to making a difference in your local government and politics, what might seem small on the surface can have a big impact on the future of your planet. By thinking strategically and by making an effort to get involved, you can make a big impact on the future of your planet.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
You might also like to read: The Wonders of Nature: An Introduction to Biodiversity