Get Involved! 10 Simple Ways to Live a More Eco-friendly Lifestyle
We all know that there are lots of things that we can be doing to help protect the environment, the Earth, and its natural resources. Sometimes it can feel a little daunting when you look at all of the options, especially when they come with a hefty price tag or involve giving up things we enjoy and use on a regular basis. The key is to remember that doing something is better than nothing and that your actions, both large and small, really do make a difference. You don’t have to be perfect, nobody is. Setting achievable goals and making small commitments add up to big impacts, especially when we all do them together. Here at Southwest Discoveries, we’re renewing our commitment to living more eco-friendly lives on and off the trails - and we’d like to invite you to join us! Pick one thing (or more) from the list and together we’ll work towards a healthier, more sustainable environment for all of the plants, animals, and humans who call Earth our home. And if you'd like to join us on an eco-friendly guided nature hike in Tucson, Arizona or anywhere in the Southwest region, send us an email at Info@southwestdiscoveries.com
1. Cut down on plastic use.
Try opting for more eco-friendly and sustainable options like ceramics and bamboo. Avoid single use plastics when possible. According to EarthDay.org, 335 million metric tons of plastic are produced each year, half of which is intended for single use purposes before ending up in a landfill or the ocean. Reusable products like shopping bags, drinkware, and eating utensils are great ways to keep plastics out of the ocean and microplastics out of our bodies.
2. Go for slow fashion.
Not only is the fast fashion industry riddled with questionable labor ethics, it’s also terrible for the environment. According to Earth.org, fast fashion is the second-largest industrial polluter, contributing to approximately 10% of global pollution and is responsible for releasing an estimated half a million tons of microplastics into the ocean every year. Opt for eco-friendly clothing companies that prioritize vegan, organic, and sustainable materials when you can. Shopping locally is a great way to support local businesses while reducing carbon emissions. Purchasing used clothing from secondhand shops gives clothes a new life, saves you money, and can occasionally lead to an epic thrift shop find! Donating used clothing to secondhand shops and social aid programs is a great way to keep clothes out of landfills, helps out our fellow humans, and can even cut down on your taxes!
3. Eat wisely.
According to Science.org, one of the best ways to fight climate change is by changing how you eat. Switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet can cut your carbon emissions by 73%. Even if you’re not ready to give up meat entirely, cutting down on the amount of animal products that you consume can have major environmental benefits and keep more of our animal friends out of the slaughterhouses. Avoid processed and single-serving packaged foods when possible, and only purchase what you need. According to the US Department of Agriculture, approximately one third of the food produced in the United States is wasted every year, which is a leading contributor of methane gas pollution. When you do have leftover food scraps, composting is an excellent way to turn waste into nutrient-ritch topsoil. Eating organic foods, especially when locally grown, is a great way to cut down on greenhouse gasses and toxic chemical use while supporting local small businesses. Growing your own food is an even better way to cut down on carbon emissions while building an even deeper connection to the natural world. Focusing your diet on locally grown, organic, and plant-based foods is not only good for the environment and your community, you’ll also likely feel the benefits in your body as well!
4. Drive less.
We’re guessing that if you’ve made your way to this blog post, you’re already a fan of hiking. The Environmental Protection Agency tells us that transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gasses in America, but you already know that transportation doesn’t have to look like a boring, Earth-killing commute. Walking, hiking, biking, and kayaking are just a few fun, adventurous, and eco-friendly ways to get from Point A to Point B that also come with their own set of health benefits. Yay hiking! Carpooling and public transportation allow for social interaction, community building, and friendship while traveling. Inventions such as bio-fuel and solar-powered vehicles make us less reliant on fossil fuels and the environmental problems and international tensions that come along with it. Less fossil fuels and more hiking? Sounds like a dream come true. We said it before, but we’ll say it again: yay hiking! If you'd like to join us on a guided nature hiking tour in Tucson, Arizona and beyond, send us an email at Info@southwestdiscoveries.com
5. Conserve energy.
Reducing your energy use at home can be a quick, simple, and economical way to protect our environment. Unplug appliances when they’re not in use. Turn the lights off if nobody is in the room. Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when they’re full. Use cold water when you can, and consider air drying your clothes. Switch to energy-efficient lightbulbs. If you’re investing in larger appliances, consider purchasing energy-efficient and solar-powered options.
6. Conserve water.
According to the US Bureau of Reclamation, less than 1% of Earth’s water is currently safe for drinking. Luckily, reducing your water use at home can also be a quick, simple, and economical way to protect the environment, and includes some of the exact same tips from the section above, such as running the washing machine and dishwasher only when they’re full. More helpful tips include shortening your showers, using a showerhead with a mister option, turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth and washing dishes, and watering plants and washing vehicles with a watering pale rather than a hose. Minimize AI use, which requires large amounts of energy to power and water to keep cool. Trust your own intelligence, or the intelligence of your fellow humans who are experts in their fields. Support local artists instead of AI generated art, and when using a search engine, type in “-ai” to get AI free results.
7. Recycle.
Recycling your plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, and metal products are a simple way to minimize waste and keep useful materials out of landfills. Certain companies will even give you cash in exchange for your recyclables! Recycling has environmental impacts that go beyond just reuse. Nonprofits such as Glass Half Full are finding creative ways to use recyclables to mitigate environmental problems such as coastal erosion and to preserve wetland ecosystems.
8. Plant a tree.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, a single mature tree can absorb over 48 pounds of carbon dioxide and release clean oxygen into the atmosphere. The Nature Conservancy Carbon Footprint Calculator can help you calculate how much carbon you and your household are responsible for, and how many trees to plant to offset your carbon footprint. If you don’t have your own greenspace for planting trees, community gardens and even indoor potted plants can play a large role in cleaning our air and brightening our days. Focus on locally indigenous, bio-diverse, and non-invasive plant species over standard yard grass. If you’re unable to care for plants on your own, organizations such as Team Trees plant trees where they are needed most in exchange for financial donations.
9. Volunteer.
Planting trees, growing community gardens, recycling events, caring for animals, and trash pick-up are just a few of many ways that you can get involved and volunteer on a community level. Not only are you helping the environment, but you’re building community and likely to make lifelong friends along the way! You can also volunteer your professional skills such as filing forms, collecting data, and creating graphics for environmental organizations who could use the extra helping hand. If you’re short on time, financial donations are another way to get involved with causes that you care about. Vetting websites such as Charity Navigator rate individual organizations on criteria such as efficacy, accountability, and community impact so you can donate with the confidence that your money will be put to good use. There are many worthy programs to volunteer for/donate to, and we encourage you to do some research on which organizations might be a good fit for you. One of our favorites is the Sierra Club with many chapters to connect with locally.
10. Be an active citizen.
Get involved with your local, state, and national government. Write letters to your representatives about causes that matter to you. Organizations such as Nature.org and the Sierra Club have convenient, pre-written letters that can be electronically sent to congressional representatives. Vote in elections, both large and small. Vote for representatives and legislation that align with your environmental values. If you don’t see a representative who carries your values, consider running for office yourself!