While there are many well publicized ways we can take individual climate action, like reducing single-use plastic; recycling; shopping with reusable tote bags, for example; there are a number of other things we can do to help the environment that may be slightly unexpected.
Our personal choices about how we live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle undoubtedly help establish a positive difference. It’s worth noting, however, that the most significant thing we can do for our planet is to demand comprehensive, industry-wide change; that hold Fossil Fuel companies accountable for their overwhelming responsibility for driving the climate crisis. If defending our planet is not put before profit, our own approaches to environmental sustainability will become disconnected from the realities of what really needs to be done; saving our world from rushing into preventable ecological collapse.
We have the technology required to replace fossil fuels. There’s plenty of money, which is currently being squandered on the destruction of life on Earth. | George Monbiot – The Guardian
Making individual and systemic change that generates a global response to environmental protection and sustainability cannot be done without centering Indigenous voices. Fossil Fuel multinationals continue to disregard sovereignty, treaty rights and the protection of culturally significant lifeways that are connected to the land (not to mention water/food supplies and areas of ecological importance). Colonialism sustains its insidious tradition of taking and destroying Indigenous land, this time through oil pipelines, fracking, mining and other environmentally devastating industrial practices. Indigenous climate activism has to be part of every stage of climate action policymaking.
Therefore, while we’re identifying ways to establish an industry-wide shift towards environmentalism that holds the world’s polluters accountable — find out how to achieve that here — we can implement a number of everyday lifestyle choices that prepare us to be part of the solution.
Here are more than 15 surprising ways to help the environment …
- if possible, reduce reliance on using air-conditioners by opening windows instead — this isn’t recommended during extreme heat, but can be effective during warmer days that don’t necessitate it being on
- during colder months, turn your heating down a degree or two and wear some warm clothing — this reduces your energy bill while being environmentally friendly
- if your laundry items aren’t heavily soiled, wash your clothes using cold water — this saves energy, money and reduces the amount of microfiber shedding (plastic pollution) that synthetic fabrics produce
- if feasible, air dry your clothes using a washing line outside or an indoor clothes rack
- keep your refrigerator and freezer clean — make sure the coils at the back are free from dust accumulation, as this will help the appliances run more efficiently
- when looking to replace clothing, household appliances or other items, buy secondhand
- this might be an odd one, but flushing your toilet less will save you a bit of money and lowers the amount of water your household uses — if it’s just urination, skip the flushing
- whenever manageable, limit car use when running errands; shop local and create nearby ‘trip chains’ where you do everything all at once on a route that reduces mileage and the need to drive — don’t forget to donate leftover canned goods to local food banks and shelters
- cut down on the amount of meat you eat and replace it with beans, lentils and other legumes (the most eco-friendly options) or other meat alternatives so that the negative impact the meat industry has on land use and climate emissions is decreased
- get into the habit of composting your vegetable and food scraps — this minimizes your household waste and can be used to fertilize and improve soil
- when eating out at a restaurant, take your leftovers home so they aren’t just thrown away (you can even bring a reusable container to put them in) and if you’re getting take out, ask that napkins and utensils not be included
- wherever it is offered, opt-in to paperless billing to limit the amount of paper being used
- donate your old eyeglasses and sunglasses or reuse the frames yourself when getting a new prescription/look — this reduces waste and/or supplies vision care for those who may need a more affordable option
- use matches instead of disposable lighters — it’s a simple trade between non-recyclable plastic/metal and a fully biodegradable wood
- swap out tea bags and instead use loose leaf tea — there’s less packaging, no chemical infused permeable paper and the used leaves can become compost for plants/gardens
These seemingly minor actions represent an integral part of how we create a mindset shift that embraces sustainable living. They may be small, but their collective impact can be profound. And if we add our own individual climate action to that of a comprehensive revamp of how legacy fossil fuel industries wield their power and profit; we may yet save Earth and all that rely on it to survive.
What eco-friendly things do you practice in your everyday life? Where any of these suggestions unexpected? Will you try them out?
Further Info:
Tracing Big Oil’s PR War To Delay Action On Climate Change – The Harvard Gazette
transatlantic | notes 
Great post! I do many of these already and I enjoy doing my errands in my village by bicycle. I get some fresh air and a bit of exercise too 🙂
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Anything that combines environmental care with some good fresh air and exercise is worth doing — it’s great you have the option to be able to cycle around, I would love to do that! Thanks for reading!
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Every little helps. Even the smallest of change that we can do makes a big difference. Love all of these tips, I always reuse my glasses if in need of a prescription change x
Soffy
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We can do amazing things if we just start and work hard at it — and get our government officials to work as hard as us on it too. Thanks for reading!
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I’m glad that there are a lot of good ways to take care of the environment. We just need to work hard for it. Thank you for sharing. Good post.
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Exactly! We need to put the effort in and work hard to make positive changes for the environment.
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Great tips! This is such an important topic!
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Thank you!
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Some great tips, I like to air dry my clothes outside as it does make them feel fresher! x
Lucy
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I agree! I used to live with a place that has a garden so had a washing line — now I have an indoor rack which is decent.
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Great ideas! Sadly, we’re unable to reduce car use where I live as it’s a rural area, but I do use the train if I have to travel to a city. I also regularly cuddle a hot water bottle during the winter, despite already wearing a chunky hoody.
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I think for a lot of people reducing car use is not an option, especially if you’re rural; it’s needed to be able to get out and about. I think if people who drive to things they could walk/cycle to, that is where reducing it is most valuable. As long as you’re doing what you can, then you’re helping!
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I like these sustainable suggestions. I have been reducing meat lately.
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That is great you’re reducing meat — it all helps!
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I love the fact that you included so many ideas that could really help which I would have never thought that they could make a difference. Some of them I already apply them where feasible. My mother would grow her flowers in tins long before sustainability become a trend 🙂
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There are so many things, big and small that we can do to help (alongside holding Big Oil, etc. accountable). We can definitely make a difference! Thanks so much for reading!
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I love small achievable actions. If everyone practiced one of these we’d make a big impact.
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Me too, there are many little changes that add up to big action if done consistently enough — we can make huge moves just by starting small.
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Some of these things are kind of shocking. For example, I didn’t know cleaning the coils on the refrigerator would help the environment. Good to know!
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Keeping the coils dust free and clean helps the appliance work more efficiently so it’s not using up so much energy, etc — I didn’t know this myself until recently so know I make sure I do it regularly. So many little things that all add up!
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Yes 15 plus times over!! You’ve reminded me I have an old pair of glasses I need to take for recycling and I was super pleased today to be given the chance to not have the till receipt when I was shopping. Together each of our small actions have a large impact.
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Exactly! There are all these small things we can do that can make us feel good doing them as we know we can make a difference! Thanks so much for reading!
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Thank you for sharing such an informative and important post. Our changes, no matter how small it may seem, does make a difference. I’ve been skipping using the dryer and also walking or taking transit whenever possible. It’s also a great alternative because we get exercise and fresh air! I never thought to donate old glasses before, thank you so much for that tip!
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There are so many little changes we can make that benefit both the planet and ourselves (physically/emotionally); they all add up in the end. If we can get the government and fossil fuel industries to be as willing, we’d could make huge improvements. Thanks so much for reading!
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Thanks for the comprehensive guide, I think it’s so important we all know what little every day gestures can help. I’m all about shopping second hand these days, and I don’t update any electronic devices until they are obsolete.
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I hope more and more people will make as many small changes as they can and then use their efforts to hold governments and fossil fuel industries accountable — it all adds up and we can make a huge difference. Thanks so much for reading!
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Some fab suggestions here and some I’ve never actually heard of before, which is great! I tend to reach for more clothing in the Winter than whacking the heating on straight away however my Dad is the complete opposite and would have the heating on 24/7 if he could – it’s hard to break an old habit!
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It’s definitely hard to break old habits, especially as it’s so easy to switch the heating on without really even thinking about it. I’m so glad there were some new things here that you can try out — every little helps!
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Brilliant ways to help the environment! I do most of these already, but definitely need to sort out our uni house’s food waste bin x
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I hope sharing this will spread some awareness of all the things we can do — it’s so great you’re already doing many of these, it’s the way forward!
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Such a great list of actionable tips. Definitely going to implement a few in my life. We really should make an effort to do more for the environment. We only have one home after all.
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It’s amazing how much we can do in our everyday lives (alongside getting change at a government level, etc). Together we can make our actions and voices heard!
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This is such a fantastic list Molly! This list is a great reminder that there are a lot of things we could actually do to protect the environment and the little things count as well. I do most of these things except taking leftovers home, and using tea leafs instead of tea bags. I should get into the habit of doing the aforementioned. I worked with an engineering company that prioritizes sustainability during my internship and I was very happy to see how much they were into sustainability. There at the company, they reduced their paper waste by emailing documents instead of printing them out thereby reducing their paper use and discouraging deforestation. They also separated wastes. They had a separate place for paper waste, food waste and other type of wastes, they made sure to always dispose of properly and so much more. Sustainability shouldn’t be imposed on anyone as it’s a personal choice but we should all try to be sustainable in whatever little way we can. Thank you for this fab piece Molly!
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That is really encouraging to hear about the company you interned with was aware of the ways they could make a difference — and that they implemented all that they did. It would be great if this was the norm for all places where it is feasible to do so. There ares so many ways we can contribute to a climate action solution and it is increasingly obvious that if we don’t we are reaching a point of no return. I am always encouraged by the willingness of others to step up and take responsibility for a collective good — there is hope yet.
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These are all great tips! Thank you for reminding us of the many big and small ways we can help the environment. Taking your leftovers home is definitely an easy one and I do that all the time!
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It’s so amazing how many small things we can do that will help — and that more and more people are adopting changes for climate action, like yourself!
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Loved reading this and so informative! I love how we share these small things that might seem not important but still have such a huge impact when done everyday! I didn’t know you could donate even glasses and sunglasses, so will look into that! Also love the idea of getting people to use less the drying machine and more air drying, its much better! X
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Exactly — we can all do little things while doing bigger things to help our planet. Changes to lifestyle can make a huge impact!
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