The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan, Author.

The climate we see today is definitely not like the yesteryears! Our planet today is in such a state, that every now and then we hear news of climate disasters. 

2020 was tied as the warmest year on record. In July of 2020, the sea ice decreased in Hudson Bay making it in-hospitable for polar bears. The Carbon Dioxide levels are highest in 650,000 years marking at 415 ppm. Sea Levels have risen 7” over the past 100 years. Earth’s Polar Ice is losing its mass, with the rate of change in Greenland being 278 billion metric tons per year.

A report from Outlook (22nd February 2021) stated that "Kalpa, a hill town located in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district, recently recorded a maximum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius, almost 18 degrees higher than normal"

Also, a report by The Guardian (08th October 2018) stated that, "A United Nations report says a quarter of the world's disease burden now stems from environment-related risks with pollution-causing some 9 million premature deaths every year.

The world’s leading climate scientists have warned there are only a dozen years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat, and poverty for hundreds of millions of people".

All of this is just a gist, a slice of all the horrors happening around our dying globe. Each year we hit a new low, set a new record. And still many of us turn a blind eye to climate change, to global warming. 

It’s not “high time” we wake up and take action. It is the “only time” we have. Because if we don’t take steps today, there will not be a tomorrow.

So, what is something the common folk can do to make the planet live a little better and longer?

Well, the answer is sustainable practices.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

Sustainability is the ability to exist constantly. 

With respect to the environment, it means, meeting our needs without putting our mother earth in peril. There are multiple sustainable practices we can incorporate into our lives that can help add to the life of your planet.

So, what are they?

Easy SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Reduce, Reuse and, Recycle

Yes, this again! The 3 R’s are probably one of the best ways to practice sustainability.  When our lifestyle is dependent multiple products to survive, manufacturing some of these products will have some carbon footprint no matter how hard we try to avoid. So the best way to cope with the carbon footprint is to try to use it longer or recycle it. 

Your Car and other appliances

Of course, we are not asking you to buy an electric car and give up your current one. But do make sure your car is fuel-efficient and not damaging the environment. However, if possible try to go car-free, travel in public transport while attending work or shopping. Not only that, your ACs or refrigerators and washing machines should also be of a model that is not outright disastrous for the planet. This is of course only if you can’t find a better alternative. Also, make your electricity more eco-friendly by relying on solar energy.

Change the lights of your house

CFL bulbs are probably the best alternative right now. So change those bulbs already, and experience more pocket and environment-friendly lighting!

Avoid Plastics or other disposables

You know how the saying goes - DO SOMETHING DRASTIC, CUT THE PLASTIC!

Just say bye to plastics already. Using plastics should be considered as a deadly sin. Not only that, let go of disposable products like paper towels, water bottles, straws, etc. Use wash clothes, steel water bottles, or straws instead. Carry a mug to your office spaces to reduce the use of disposable cups.

Utilize your errands

Next time you go out, think! Plan your outing in a way that all your work is done on that very day. This saves fuel and your money too!!

Go paperless

Stop unwanted paper mails getting delivered to your house or office, switch to digital version of newspapers, mails or magazines, reuse your newspaper as gift wrappers and recycle your old notebooks. Try to minimize your paper usage. The lesser, the better!

Daylights Utility

Using the sunlight and natural rays as much as possible during the day is a great way to save energy!  Also, an additional tip - unplug your devices when not in use. 

Washing habits

This is in regards to both - yourself and your clothes. Try using a bucket while bathing instead of a shower and for your very little amount of dirty laundry, hand wash it rather than washing it in your washing machine! 

Observe an Eco-Sabbath

This means don’t buy anything unnecessary for at least a day or week or even months. Try blocking some days wherein you use less or no electrical gadgets!  In general, don’t use your resources for a short period of time.

Buy used

Try hitting some thrift stores and purchasing those hand-me-downs. Also, look for refurbished products online. Try sharing or borrowing from your friends or family instead of buying what you don’t have.

These are just a few of the many practices you can incorporate into your daily life for a better tomorrow. 

Anne Marie Bonneau, the zero waste chef, once said, "we don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly, we need a million people doing it imperfectly."

So it’s okay if you mess up from time to time, just remember you have the power to change the world.

To get such sustainable ideas in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter!