5 Ways To Help The Environment More
Climate change and the environment is a social issue that is finally on everyone’s lips. Through daily life changes we can all help and be impactful, these are my five ways of helping the environment more.
1. Eat Less Meat
Although the most efficient way of helping the environment in regards to meat consumption would be to abandon meat altogether and pursue plant-based diets like vegetarianism or veganism, I recognise that this can seem like a daunting change to a lot of people. Therefore the best way to help in this way is to simply eat less meat. Vehicles, energy sources, and pollution all are extreme contributors to the atmospheric destruction of our planet but above all of those the greatest gas contribution that damages the earth comes from the methane that is produced from animals in the meat industry.
That makes animal farming one of the most harmful things that are destroying our planet. You can combat this simply by altering your diet on a daily and casual basis. Start seeing meat as a treat rather than a dietary staple and necessary part of all your meals. Having less meat in your meals really is much easier than a lot of people think.
2. Eat Less Dairy
Although we don’t eat the animals that are utilised for dairy production, the effects on the planet are exactly the same as that which I mentioned regarding the meat industry. However, eating less dairy, I understand, is tricky in a slightly different way. Unlike meat, dairy products like milk and cheese are seen by many people as a dietary commodity rather than what you base your meals and eating habits around.
Therefore, the best and easiest way of eating less dairy is by simply fading it out if your diet. Bit by bit, just try and eat less cheese and every now and then buy plant-based milk instead of cows milk and eventually these habits will become regular in your diet. This small change to your daily life will have a gradual big impact on the planet.
3. Be Plastic and Energy Conscious
I know that recycling and plastic and energy waste seems like a point that doesn’t need to be hammered any more but there are more ways to help than switching off lights and recycling. I strongly believe that, as a society, we all need to start rethinking plastic and energy as resources that we use only when absolutely necessary rather than as an everyday commodity. We all need to start being conscious and restrictive on a daily basis when it comes to energy and plastic use.
This means making daily choices that avoid the use of plastic or energy as often as we can. Use public transport or walk instead of driving, stop buying products that use excess or unnecessary plastic, keep lights off for as long as you possibly can. All these are just a few examples of how we can all start being stricter with ourselves and conscious of the choices we make. We all need to help and change individually and that way we can make an impact collectively.
4. Support Eco-Friendly Businesses
Now that climate change and the state of the environment is a mainstream issue, more and more businesses are becoming available that use eco-friendly methods and are committing to helping the environment. By doing some research and knowing what businesses to look for and support, we can all start moving away from the massive corporations who’re causing so many environmental issues and start supporting newer and smaller businesses that care about our planet.
So next time you need to buy something or need to go shopping, read up online first and see where to go and what brands to buy because it is these changes that will prove to be significant in the future.
5. Talk About It
Like many ongoing issues that cause problems within our society, one of the greatest causes and contributor to the continuation of environmental problems is ignorance. A lot of people still see climate change and environmental emergencies as not their problem. It’s not just climate change deniers that I’m referring to, it’s everyday people who we all know that don’t have the necessary sense of urgency that is vital for saving the planet.
So if you encounter anyone who doesn’t recognise the severity of our environmental emergencies, you need to make it your duty to talk to them and show them why they’re wrong. Words have and always will be some of the most impactful methods of social change.
