For more than three decades, even with technologies allowing us to live with a drastically smaller carbon footprint, these emissions are rising. And the reason is not the number of people, or the things they consume, but rather how they consume them. A green lifestyle is portrayed as a sacrifice, and not for what it is; a good idea that will make every individual’s life better.
Recycling more, spending more time with and in nature, and enjoying the benefits of a symbiotic relationship with other members of the biosphere is the right way to go. And, it doesn’t need to have any downsides.
We can live a fulfilling and rather indulging life, full of entertainment, traveling, and good food. And, if we opt to do these things green, they will be even more accessible to an average person.
Good Choices are Better for Everyone
Ironically, many of the people focusing on ecological issues and green lifestyles carry over the psychology of those who are focused only on material gain. That is the idea that behavior and consumption is a zero-sum game. It is a falsehood that we, as humans, somehow can’t have a good and fulfilling life without messing up the planet and the rest of nature inhabiting it.
Some choices might not be instantly gratifying and convenient. But, these usually give a lot more dividends long-term.
#1 Take a Walk
Going somewhere on foot, especially if it’s during your daily routine, is probably the best way to help your body and the Planet at the same time. Walking is one of the healthiest ways to exercise without exertion and can be a great way to combine several activities at the same time.
While for some jobs and activities this might be unreasonable, and the trek would take you most of your day, there are many ways where you can incorporate walking instead of taking your private vehicle, or even public transport.
Spending a bit more time to walk to the grocer and back will do wonders for your health, make you more focused on what you are carrying back, and allow you some time with your own thoughts wondering.
#2 Focus on Local Cuisine
If there is a demand, the global market will find the supply. If you want to eat mangos and papayas in Canada, there will be someone willing to ship them to you.
That transport, especially in the current volume, is using a lot of energy and significantly increasing your personal carbon footprint.
But, if you were to source your food only locally, and especially if you are able to get to it on foot, you can drastically influence how much power goes into your lunch.
Also, it is usually healthier, especially if you are also relatively local to the region. There are plenty of dishes that can be made and preserved in most places around the world , where you probably won’t notice a difference in variety and nutritional value, or the taste for that matter.
#3 Try to Work Remotely
The internet is a very efficient way of transferring a lot of information over very long distances. Even if you use the best of electric cars, only your daily commute would equate to what your computer will spend during the whole working day, roughly doubling your energy consumption.
So, if you switch to working remotely, you can cut your emissions significantly, as well as the cost of traveling to and from work. Add to that the fact that you don’t need to use the AC and heaters in two places, as well as cleaning.
For an average citizen of the United Kingdom, your commute will last slightly less than an hour every day, and up to 81 minutes if you are living in London. These numbers are similar in the United States, and most countries in the EU.
That is an hour you can spend on yourself, your health, or cooking that tasty local cuisine we discussed earlier.
#4 Find Entertainment Online
Even if you can’t find a way to work from home, you can move a lot of your entertainment to the digital world. Anything from video games, to TV shows and movies, and there is even casino-style gambling now online for those to prefer that sort of show.
Especially if you are working remotely and living in a rural area, you can enjoy all the same amenities as someone living in the hustle and bustle of the big city, but via the internet.
Additionally, this may open up some space to enjoy something outside of the mainstream and maybe support small and independent creators that you wouldn’t even be able to see on the billboards and big stages.
#5 Practice Urban Gardening
Finally, the best way to reduce how much carbon you are making every year is to give it to something that needs it. Even if you don’t have a lot of space, practicing urban gardening can be a great way to sequester carbon from the air and give it to the plants to grow.
There is only one difference. You don’t want to do landscaping and make urban gardens for aesthetics. Most carbon is taken while the tree or plant is in the process of growing. That is why you want to take stems or even seeds, and grow everything from scratch.
This is a good workout, excellent for your carbon footprint, and will make your place of residence a wonderful place to live.
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