In light of recent events, we’re being shown just how intricately connected we really are. Our small daily efforts as a collective and a global family can lead to a massive change across the world.
Earth is our only home and we all have a role to play, no matter how small. Together, we can make an impact and it doesn’t have to be fancy or groundbreaking to change the world.
We
encourage you to take action with our 5 simple ways to make Earth a better
place.
1. Reduce the use of plastics
There are an estimated 9.2 billion tons of plastic on Earth, more than half of that existing as waste. A large percentage of unrecycled plastics end up in our ocean where it endangers marine life.
While some plastic products are quick and convenient, they unfortunately become Earth’s burden. Fortunately, there are ways you can contribute to reduce the use of plastic in your everyday life:
• Buy a reusable straw
• Bring reusable bags to the grocery store
• Bring your own containers for bulk foods
• Use beeswax wraps in place of plastic
• Choose products and brands that support the use
of recyclable packaging
2. Use less paper
Even in our digital world, the global production of paper is an estimated 419.7 million metric tons per year. To give you an idea of the huge repercussions of the paper industry, receipts alone waste 1 billion gallons of water, kills 10 million trees, uses 250 million gallons of oil, and make 1.5 billion pounds of waste.
Here are some simple ways you can use less paper in your daily life:
• Opt for paperless bills and statements
• Ask for an electronic version of your receipt
when shopping
• Shred less paper, as shredded paper is
difficult to sort through for recycling companies
3. Drive less
Some of the great benefits of walking, biking, or using public transportation is that you can reduce your environmental footprint, get more exercise, and reduce your expense on gas. If the commute to work or school requires you to drive on a daily basis, consider some of these tips to help with the environment:
• Avoid hard accelerations and slamming on the
breaks
• Never leave your car on idle for more than a
minute
• Buy a fuel-efficient, low-emissions vehicle
4. Thrift shop
The
continuous production of clothing is costly to the environment because it
requires a lot of energy and crude oil to make. Purchasing second-hand garments
means less transportation-related pollution and less waste. The best part? You
can find some classic pieces at a fraction of the cost!
5. Use eco-friendly and biodegradable products
Take inventory of the products that you use in your daily life that you can replace with a more environmentally friendly and biodegradable option, like reusable coffee cups, stainless steel water bottles, reusable sandwich wraps, and coral-safe sunscreens.
Ingredients found in most commercial sunscreens are known to cause coral bleaching that leads to irreversible damage on marine life. You can do your part by choosing eco-friendly sunscreen and supporting companies like Big Ocean Dives that champion the movement of saving the ocean.
Check
out how you can contribute to ocean relief by visiting our website or following
us on social media!
