How to Live an Environmentally Conscious Life

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Image from Paweł Czerwiński via Unsplash

Being environmentally conscious today is not hard and should be something we all strive to achieve. Global warming is affecting the planet pretty hard and consequences are catastrophic. Right now, there are multiple fires raging in California while Hurricane Matthew almost wiped out Haiti in 2016.

These are only a few of the serious issues we experience due to the pollution and climate changes all around the planet. If everyone joined the green movement as much as they can, we could save the planet for future generations. It’s not hard to accept environmentally conscious life and here are some of the things you can do right away.

1. Insulate your home

Home insulation is very important for various reasons and will make you glad you invested in this venture. Firstly, it will maintain the steady temperature inside your home so you will use less energy for HVAC. Secondly, by using less HVAC you will emit less toxic gasses into the atmosphere and help downsize the greenhouse effect.

In order to make this a job well done, check the sealants on windows and doors as well. Also, if these fixtures are old and damaged, consider replacing them in time. In the end, check your roof for cracks and apply a coating to reflect the sun and waterproof it.

wildflowers

Image from Eva Waardenburg on Unsplash

2. Plant wildflowers and trees

When you consider what to have in your garden, think about planting trees and wildflowers. These plants will attract natural pollinators like bees and butterflies and help them survive. The US alone lost 50% of bees in the last ten years, which is a serious environmental issue that needs urgent attending. And trees are known to clean the air, make oxygen and provide shade from the sun so the earth doesn’t dry out and become barren.

Find out which pollinators are active at what period of the year in order to include all plants that will attract them. This will happen from the beginning of spring to late autumn, so be prepared to have plenty of gardening in your schedule during this period. Also, the plants you can use vary in size and type, so you will be able to achieve a fine landscaping as well as being environmentally conscious.

3. Recycle and start composting

Instead of placing all the garbage into one bag, separate the materials for recycling at your home. Paper, metal, plastic and glass are all materials  you can send to your local recycling center. Composting is another way to be environmentally conscious.

This simple process will provide you natural fertilizers for your garden and also prevent wasting of organic materials. Collect yard waste such as leaves and mix them up with fruit and vegetable leftovers, coffee grounds and eggshells. Composting is an excellent way for organic and healthy gardening that is environmentally friendly and responsible.

solar

Image from Pixabay

4. Use solar energy

Most of the planet is ideal to use solar energy to produce electricity. Thus, solar panels in Wodonga, Australia, and Reykjavik Island will have the same results even though these two towns don’t have the same number of sunny days. This can be an expensive investment, but it is a onetime expense that will pay off in the long run.

Another benefit of solar energy is lower electricity bills which you will experience right from the start. As more people decide to use solar energy, the need for nuclear power plants will decrease and they can completely shut down in the future. Just remember the environmental impact Chernobyl and Fukushima had on the planet and you will see the logic.

5. Collect rainwater

Rainwater is great for irrigation and toilet, especially if you live in areas with heavy rains throughout the year. This type of water doesn’t have any chemicals so it’s much healthier for both indoor plants and landscape. And the best thing is you can harvest the rain right from your roof and thus lower the amount of water that goes in the storm runoff.

This approach will also reduce the use of municipal water supply system which will, in turn, lower the use of energy needed for water treatment. You can start off small with rain barrels and then install a more complex collector system.

All in all

There are so many things we can change in order to lead an environmentally conscious life. From lowering our fuel consumption and opt for cycling or walking, to using solar panels to power our homes. These may seem like big concessions, but they are actually improvements that will restore the environment and enrich our lives.

Author Bio: Hannah Thomas is a gardening and home décor enthusiast. Garden is the place where she feels most comfortable, that’s why there are always a lot of books and empty coffee cups on the back porch.  Always learning, exploring and smiling.

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