100 Ways to Live Greener & Support the Planet At Home, Work & Beyond
Feng shui teaches us that we are so deeply connected to our environment that energetically we are one and the same. It is known that nature and a healthy planet is imperative to our wellbeing, yet why do so many of us continue to not take action to make it better?
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day I wanted to share a comprehensive list of ways to help today and EVERY day. Greater mindfulness and intention combined with simple lifestyle changes at home and work can collectively make a HUGE difference in the global ecosystem. Read below for ways to reduce your carbon footprint, contribute to a circular economy, create a healthier you, a happier community AND a sustainable future for generations to come.
The first, and most important, step to living more sustainably is simply MINDFULNESS. There can't be action without AWARENESS first. Be open to rethinking and relearning everything from your purchase patterns to your daily habits. Examine what and where you buy things, where and how you throw them away, and everything before, after and in-between. As a consumer and global citizen you are responsible for all of it, and your choices every day can make a difference in the planet suffering, or surviving.
This consciousness can feel heavy and overwhelming in the beginning, but it's imperative in creating change for the future. Commit to "being better" and turning towards, not away from the injustices, inefficiencies and inequalities in our world.
REEVALUATE your 'needs' vs your 'wants', your relationship to "stuff" and your personal vision of 'success'. There are so many things in our lives that are not actually essential. Just because something is considered mainstream or normal does not mean it is right for the planet.
RECONSIDER the entire life cycle of your belongings, from how it’s made to where it goes when you’re done using it. There is really no such thing as "away". When you throw something away it has to go somewhere! Everything you buy has a beginning and and end, and YOU have the power to close the loop.
REDUCE your consumption. Lighten your impact by buying only what you truly need and using less to cut down on resources- water, electricity, fuel, paper and plastic. Always opt for reusable or refillable options whenever possible.
REFUSE all single-use plastics and disposables including straws, cups, cutlery, napkins, condiment packets and bottled water. Something as small as ordering a cone for your ice cream instead of a cup can make a difference when multiplied.
REUSE it whenever possible. Reusable products and refillable options exist for almost everything you can think of these day. Invest today in a "permanent" solution so that you can avoid disposable.
REPURPOSE or remake items to give them new life. Everything from glass jars to bags to old socks can be upcycled in some way. Can you find a creative new use for old things by thinking frugally and resourcefully?
REPAIR and mend everything from clothing to small appliances, to give perfectly good items a second chance so that they don’t end up in the landfill and replaced with items that consume resources and energy unnecessarily.
RESTORE damaged ecosystems and replenish natural resources whenever you can. Examples include planting trees, removing invasive species, picking up litter, protecting wildlife habitat and supporting sustainable land use and management practices: conservation, logging, mining, regenerative farming, permaculture.
RESEARCH what you consume to know where it comes from and how it’s made. You may be surprised to discover the hidden truth behind most products and ingredients, even those that are marketed as safe or eco-friendly. Beware of misinformation and “greenwashing” in labels as a cover up for toxic ingredients or harmful chemical fillers.
REEXAMINE your place in world. What is your relationship with the earth? Do you feel connected to the source - why, or why not? Do you feel self reliant and capable, or are you dependent on others and systems? Responsible, conscious consumerism is simply a mindset shift: putting the greater good over the self.
RECYCLE the "right way" by learning the basics of single-stream recycling, familiarize yourself with best practices of local waste guidelines and always looking for the appropriate recycling codes on all plastics, eliminating contaminants.
REQUEST better practices from your local restaurants, favorite businesses and brands that use unnecessary plastics or packaging, or manufacturing practices that are not eco-friendly. Your local politicians also want to hear from you!
Use it up, Wear it out, Make it Work or Do Without