The latest scientific studies on climate change are increasingly concerning. Inclement weather, mass migration, Food scarcity, and other issues accompany the strain our Planet endures to sustain our developed lifestyles. In the process, we have forgotten the significance of natural resources for our existence as human beings. Now is the time to take action and help the planet somehow. Let’s roll up our sleeves and make a difference with some easy tips.

Can a small action create impact?

Absolutely, every action counts, and our planet appreciates every effort. It’s crucial to teach others, including our kids and future generations, how to help the planet. Even with a busy life and numerous commitments, you can still make a difference. Here are some ideas on how to contribute to help the planet.

Support environmental friendly companies

Reevaluating your shopping habits is ideal, but even making simple changes to the products you consume can also help the planet. Every purchase we make impacts the demand for products, and by being conscious of our choices, we can influence the offerings in the market.

For example, frequently buying cheap items like fast fashion clothing contributes to the continuous production of oil-based fabrics, particularly non-biodegradable materials such as polyester. This, in turn, leads to more waste being generated and ending up in landfills.

Supporting companies that prioritize reusing materials, such as plastic bottles, or using sustainable resources like bamboo, cotton, wool, or silk. These eco-friendly practices help in minimizing the demand for non-biodegradable materials and reducing the overall environmental impact.

However, the most significant impact can often be achieved by simply buying less. When we consume less and make more intentional purchasing decisions, we contribute to reducing waste and lessening the strain on natural resources.

Here are some ways you can practice buying less and promoting sustainability:

1. Swap the plastic or paper bags in the supermarket for reusable bags.
2. Use reusable cutlery and straws, or alternatively, opt for bamboo or biodegradable disposable ones.
3. Instead of buying fast fashion, invest in high-quality items the next time you need a garment.
4. Support socially responsible and environmentally friendly companies.
5. Research the companies you buy from, prioritize good practices over good prices
6. Buy locally; you might have options to purchase clothes, food, or supplies from local stores or small producers. Buying locally reduces the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

Changing your habits around commuting and traveling

Commuting and traveling significantly impact the environment. Many driving trips could be replaced with alternative means of transportation. However, a notable issue is that North American cities are primarily designed around cars, neglecting the importance of public transit, biking lanes, and walkable spaces. Ideally, we should advocate for governments that prioritize the creation of more spaces to encourage easier biking and improved access to public transit. By supporting such initiatives, we can move towards more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options, reducing our overall environmental footprint.

Air travel is the means of transportation that contributes the most to the planet’s CO2 emissions. To make a substantial positive impact on the environment, it’s crucial to reduce the frequency of our travels or adopt more mindful travel habits.

Despite my love for traveling and having family living abroad, I am taking steps to mitigate my impact. For example, I opt for longer stays and work remotely whenever possible, reducing unnecessary trips for events or work-related matters that can be handled over video conferences. Additionally, I am exploring nearby destinations that I can reach by car or train instead of relying on flying for every trip. By collectively making such efforts, we can work towards a more sustainable future for our planet.

Tips that can help the planet:

1. Discover near by destinations and reduce your air travel as much as possible.
2. We discovered that online work can be possible, so reducing as much traveling as possible for meetings or issues than can be solved online would be ideal.
3. Commute on your bike or public transit. In Vancouver at least we have the possibility of taking our bike on the bus which make a great difference if you are not use to bike for long distances.
4. Walking or biking short distances instead of driving everywhere, also some physical exercise can be beneficial for your health.

Reusing and recycling

This is a great way to make a small contribution to the environment – knowing how to recycle and dispose of all items correctly in our bins. Unfortunately, many households still have one big trash bin and minimal or no separation of garbage is performed. Learning how to dispose of items we buy properly is crucial, as it can help us mitigate the impact on the environment and give back after making a purchase.

In the Vancouver area, there are plenty of programs that allow people to dispose of different types of items, including clothes, electronics, plastics, containers, cans, and more. Additionally, if items are in good condition, consider donating them. Imagine how useful those things would be for other people.

Best ways of reusing and recycling:

1. Consider getting preowned items, such as clothes, décor items and furniture. Utilize apps like Poshmark, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace to resell items you no longer need. Explore thrift stores, online marketplaces, and “Buy Nothing” groups in Vancouver to find excellent deals and discover free items offered by the community.
2. By learning how to recycle every item you dispose of, such as compost, garbage, and containers, you can make a substantial contribution to waste reduction.
3. Indeed, for items like electronics, such as cellphones or tablets, you can drop them off at Best Buy for proper recycling. Additionally, common items like bulbs and batteries can be conveniently disposed of in collection bins placed around the city. For instance, some London Drugs stores have these bins available for recycling these specific items.
4. You can donate your clothes to places like the Salvation Army, where they will either recycle them or sell them in thrift stores. Alternatively, you can use any of the clothing bins located around Vancouver for clothing donations.
5. Finding new uses for things you no longer need can be rewarding. For example, you can turn an old pair of jeans into stylish shorts for the summer or repurpose an old piece of furniture. You might be surprised by how many items you once considered garbage can find a new life or purpose.

Avoiding food waste

Food waste is one of the most prevalent issues we encounter in our daily lives.

Frequently, we are not mindful of the quantity of food we buy, resulting in a considerable amount of food being wasted and ending up in landfills. It is crucial to be aware that our planet is facing a contingency, and although we currently have an abundance of food, this cannot last forever. We must begin to be more mindful of how we consume and what we consume. There are several smart ways to reduce our impact on the planet while still enjoying the food we love.

How to reduce food waste:

1. Reducing the consumption of beef can lessen the demand for land and resources needed for animal production. Opting for a more green, plant-based diet can alleviate the pressure on the planet. However, if you choose to continue consuming beef, do so mindfully.
2. Freezing food is an excellent practice when you find yourself unable to use all the produce purchased during the week. Any leftover vegetables or fruits can be frozen and used later, especially in delicious, nutritious, and refreshing smoothies.
3. Planning and organizing meals is also essential to minimize food waste.
4. By ensuring that all the food purchased is used, you can maximize your ingredients, budget, and minimize unnecessary waste.

With these easy and practical tips, you can make a small effort to help the planet. After all, this is the place where we live, and we should be aware of climate change impact. Fertile lands may become less fertile, and access to food could become more difficult. By optimizing the resources we have now, we can hopefully create a more sustainable world for future generations. Let’s take responsibility for the well-being of our planet and the well-being of our youngest ones.

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