Although I don't talk about it often, I am actually very interested in sustainable living. I remember the first time I learnt about climate change in Year 3: I was terrified. In my young teenage years it actually made me quite anxious, but as I've grown older I'm (somewhat) hopeful that we will still be able to reduce the effects of global warming. Granted, to even be worrying about climate change indicates you are in a fairly privileged position and most people can't afford to prioritise sustainable lifestyles (especially when eco-friendly options aren't readily available to them), but many entrepreneurs and innovators are coming up with unbelievable technologies and solutions to potentially prevent this impending doom, from solar-panelled roads to green consulting - after all: necessity is the mother of invention.
I believe that the most effective way to encourage eco-friendly lifestyles is by making it easier or cheaper to act sustainably compared to the alternative, and these are some simple ways to help the environment:
1) Bring your lunch to work/university
This isn't a particularly ground-breaking idea, but it has a massive impact. It's very common for students and professionals in London to buy their lunches out, which is one of the reasons that Pret and similar chains are so successful and have been severely affected by the exodus from city centres due to COVID-19. One article found that the average Brit spends up to £2210 a year in coffee shops alone, and whilst this is great news for the economy, often this involves a lot of plastic packaging that is thrown away within seconds. Instead, I'd recommend buying high-quality Tupperware and flasks in order to bring your food into work. Not only will the planet thank you, but so will your wallet. And if you like to treat yourself to lunch, aim to eat-in at restaurants that use minimal packaging (for example at a pizzeria), to boost the economy whilst saving the planet simultaneously.
2) Bring a reusable cup with you
Following on from to the previous point, this is a great way to reduce plastic waste whilst supporting both the economy and your caffeine addiction. Throughout uni I constantly carried a reusable cup in my bag and it was a god-send. Many cafés offer discounts if you bring your own cup and although this isn't possible right now due to COVID-19, it's one of the easiest ways to be more eco-friendly. You'd be shocked at how helpful simply keeping a reusable water bottle, bamboo cutlery, or a Bag for Life in your bag is at reducing unnecessary plastic waste.
3) Buy second-hand books, or borrow from libraries
I love reading, and I set an annual Reading Challenge on GoodReads to motivate myself to read more. The issue is that I love having hard copies of books, as I'm aiming to have a small library in my house when I'm older. Nonetheless, I've found an easy solution to this, which is to buy books second-hand and only keep books that you will re-read. My go-to website for second-hand books is WorldofBooks, however I've also heard very good things about AbeBooks. Alternatively, I'd recommend borrowing books from libraries to support your local library, or using a Kindle (which makes it much easier to read on-the-go). If you can't find a book in good condition second-hand, it's best to buy new books from local bookshops to support them as tech giants are now taking over the market. I think it's also important to donate (or sell) any books that you won't read again as books are primarily there to serve a purpose.
4) Use a menstrual cup
This suggestion obviously isn't for everyone, but if you have periods you should definitely consider switching to menstrual cups. Not only are they cheaper in the long run, but they also last several years, offer all of the benefits of tampons, and are hassle-free (in my opinion). Other sustainable products that aim to reduce plastic-waste include bamboo razors and toothbrushes, however I haven't tried either of these yet so can't vouch for them.
5) Eat-in > take-outs
Similarly to the first point, when possible, aim to eat-in as opposed to getting take-outs. Not only does this provide an arguably more pleasant experience, but it leads to reduced unnecessary packaging. Think of a Chinese takeaway - all of those plastic cartons have to end up somewhere, whereas going to an authentic Chinese restaurant will remove the middle man and provide the same food (albeit cheaper and warmer) without the waste. If you do get takeaways, simple things such as reusing or recycling the packaging can make a big difference too.
6) Fill up your machines
This applies to dishwashers, tumble dryers, and washing machines. I'm not saying to fill them to the brim to the point where they're ineffective, but these machines use a lot of water and energy, so try to maximise the efficiency of each cycle (your utility bills will thank you too).
7) Reduce your air travel
The irony of a travel blogger telling others to reduce their air travel is not wasted on me, but I am not saying to stop travelling, I just suggest travelling in smarter ways. For example, if there are alternate options to flying take them! If I were to go to Paris, I'd take the Eurostar from London rather than flying, not least because in the time I'd waste in airports, I'd get there by train. This doesn't mean that you should get sail to Australia or travel by train to China (although if you have the time and want a new experience then why not!). What I really mean by this point is try and do little things which reduce the colossal impact of air travel on climate change. By visiting multiple places in a faraway region in one trip rather than going back and forth for each area, offsetting your carbon emissions, and travelling in economy, you are helping to reduce the impact of flying. Similarly, donating money to charitable efforts, rather than going halfway around the world to 'volunteer' (which often actually exacerbates the situation), can be much more effective at achieving the goal. Moreover, many travel agents and tourism initiatives are offering more sustainable options, and having experienced eco-tourism in Brazil and Zambia, I strongly recommend it. Alternatively, try to enjoy more stay-cations and opt for short-haul holidays over long-haul.
8) Reduce your meat intake
First thing's first: I'm not saying to become a vegan. Although, frankly, I actually think it's a very impressive and respectable thing to do, given that it's the most effective way of reducing your carbon footprint. What I am saying is that there are plenty of meals that are vegetarian or vegan and are delicious, and being open-minded to trying more of these can have a big impact. The whole idea of being more sustainable is inherently anti-capitalist to some, but this isn't necessarily the case. Encouraging farmers, chefs, and engineers to find alternatives for animal-products, whether this be through engineered meat substitutes, or the popularisation of vegetarian/vegan recipes, being open-minded and trying new meals is imperative in reducing the gigantic effect of the meat industry on climate change. For me, watching documentaries on the meat industry, such as the eye-opening Cowspiracy, tends to be very impactful. The small acts do add up, and simply reducing your meat consumption to one meal a day, or practising 'meatless Mondays' can go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint.
9) Replace your drive with physical exercise
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is the best way to stay in shape, which is one of the reasons why Americans (who drive more on average than Europeans) tend to be more overweight than Europeans. Walking or cycling is not only better for the environment, but also better for your health - exercise has been shown to improve mental health, and can decrease loneliness, whilst reducing your risk of disease, thereby killing several birds with one stone. My rule is that if I can walk somewhere in less than 30mins, I do. Alternatively, use public transport as opposed to driving, or at invest in an electric car.
10) Don't partake in fast fashion
Last but not least, try not to buy into fast fashion. It is a waste of resources, often exploiting workers and creating a materialistic culture. Where possible, buy second-hand clothes, or simply reduce the amount of clothes that you buy but barely wear. I try to buy few items, but I make sure that everything I buy is high-quality and that I genuinely like it, so it can be reworn many times and kept for several years.
Although none of these tips are novel, they are simple ways to reduce your impact and are things that I try to do to be more eco-friendly.
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