Kick off the New Year More Sustainably

 

This post provides tips and ideas to help you kick off the New Year more sustainably, and illustrates why that’s a brilliant idea.

Sustainable practices support ecological, human, and economic health and vitality. 

Sustainable living is based on the fact that living things are finite, and need to be used or conserved wisely. 

Sustainable practices take a long-term view at ways natural and manufactured resources are consumed. It also looks for remedies for overconsumption and abuse. 

In simplest terms, sustainability is about our children and our grandchildren, and the world we will leave them.

Look below for ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and live more sustainably.

Swap out Traditional Foods for Plant-based Ones

The carbon footprint for those who eat a plant-based diet accounts for 75 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than those who eat more than 3.5 ounces of meat a day. 

New research from the University of Oxford indicates whole food vegan eaters cause significantly less harm to land, water, and biodiversity than omnivore eaters.

Wellness benefits of eating whole foods from plant sources can reduce body weight, blood pressure and risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes — and be eco-friendly as well.

Experiment  with tried and true recipes, by decreasing portion size of animal sourced foods and increase amount of fruits, whole grains, and vegetables that you incorporate into menu planning. 

Be adventurous and try a new plant-based food recipe each week, perhaps one with a new grain like spelt or legume like lentils. Have some fun and try making homemade bread or pizza dough too. 

Add an extra serving of vegetables to your daily plate or add fruit to your breakfast and smoothies. 

After a few weeks of modifying portions, add a portion of a fruit and vegetable you don’t eat regularly. For example, add a kiwi to fruit salad or cauliflower to that stew, and give them a trail run.
  

  

Update Water Management Practices

Did you know water heaters account for about 18% of your home's energy use? Set the water temperature a few degrees lower, and wash clothes on cold. 

These habits can reduce your energy consumption, save money and natural resources, maintain the vibrancy of your clothes, and eliminate 860 lbs. of CO2 emissions a year.

Showering with cool water is actually incredibly beneficial for your skin, and it can boost your immune system and metabolism! 

Cutting down on time we spend running a bath, washing the car, or watering a lawn can conserve much water as well. 

With droughts, wildfires, and shortage of water in the world, consider collecting rain water in a water storage tank. This type of container can store water for irrigation, farming, fire suppression, food preparation, and many other uses.

When we pause to consider that water is essential in sustaining life for all living creatures on our planet, we may foster a deeper sense of reverence and responsibility towards this finite natural resource.

For additional ideas read Water Conservation Tips to Save Money and Green Daily Living.

Reduce or Eliminate Single-Use Products

Single-use products, including plastic shopping bags, plastic water bottles, and plastic take-out/take-away containers pollutes the planet. Bring your own reusable cloth grocery bags for shopping, non-plastic reusable water bottle for drinking water on the go, and reusable containers for meals to go.

At home, wash out and keep glass jars from food or use glass containers that can be washed and reused to store leftovers. 

If a single-use product is your only option, look for items that are made from recycled materials. 

When you order from the internet, make sure the products and  company you place the order with uses environmentally friendly packaging and shipping materials, and is working to be net zero.

Shop Smart and Track Spending

Be mindful about your belongings. Before you buy anything new, try to reinvent, repair, and renovate things you already own. 

Instead of tossing out old clothes, electronics, and household items, ask yourself whether it can be mended, altered, or cleaned up. 

 Sell things that crowd your closets, cabinets, and dresser drawers to a secondhand shop, swap with a friend, or donate items that no longer fit you to a local charity.

Many household items including plastic storage containers or plastic bottles contain harmful elements. Once they are dumped into a landfill, forever chemicals can leach into the soil or ground water or even end up in our reservoirs or the ocean. 

Finding a second home for unwanted items is a good way to avoid creating garbage. It also curtails production of new products, and reduces toxic emissions caused when garbage rots or fossil fuels are burned.

When you do need to purchase a tech product or service, try to refurbish one or support companies that have reached their goal of carbon neutrality or have taken steps to achieve it. For example, read about top carbon neutral companies in the digital space.

Live with Less and Do Your Part to Help Earth Survive

Some of the sustainable moves I suggest you adopt for the New Year may not come as second nature to you. 

See them for what they truly are. Things are not a reflection of your personality or achievements. They are simply objects that you have chosen to keep in your life.

If you resist the urge to buy stuff on impulse, it encourages you to live within your means, as well as reduce the demand for new products and resources required to produce them.

Living simply means you have less clutter, can locate and see what you have with appreciation, and live more harmoniously with our changing environment.

Releasing objects so others may have them, conserves natural resources, reduces waste, and promotes sustainable consumption habits.

Make Sustainability a Family Goal

Focus on experiences over material possessions. Spend time with loved ones and/or travel to new places by using eco-friendly modes of transportation whenever possible.

No matter how we view it, living more sustainably needs to be the new normal. Each one of us will decide if and how we do that. Please choose wisely. Our survival depends on it.

Do you think living more sustainably will save money as well as be eco-friendly? Please comment below.

What creative ideas do you have for living greener in the coming years? Please share them in the comments section below.

I read every comment I receive. Just remember to put no links in your comment, as it won't be published that way.

I post on the 1st and 15th of each month. Please add www.colors4health.com to your online reading list, as you'll get wellness and color tips at the place where a healthy lifestyle and colors intersect. 

See my Facebook page, Pinterest location, and Website too and give me some social love.

Wishing you health, happiness, and harmony in the coming years. Let's put more of our energy into  sustaining a peaceful, eco-friendly planet in the New Year. 

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Thrifty Driving Tips to Save Money and Zap Carbon Footprints

 

Earth Month and Earth Day are celebrated each year in April. They are opportune times to put green, thrifty driving tips into practice. 

This post shows how changing our transportation usage habits can save bucks as well as natural resources. 

In addition, discover eco-friendly ways to reduce pollution, eliminate greenhouse gas, and curb carbon emissions (carbon footprints). 

FYI: Definition of Carbon Footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the use of fossil fuels. 

 

For example: we use fossil fuel to heat, cool,  manufacture, transport people and products, and raise or grow food by a person, company, group, or organization.

Let's rally round and do our share to stop waste and overconsumption.

See information about ways to conserve energy at home: How-to-save-money-this-summer-by-conserving-energy-at home.

When we consciously strive to live greener lives, we contribute to healing our planet, and restoring balance to nature and all living creatures.

Create a legacy for those who follow, and think and act green.

Many areas in the world have been plagued with natural disasters including  famine, injury, and deaths from hurricanes, heatwaves, floods, droughts, and forest fires.

Most of us recognize and acknowledge the dire problems climate change is causing.

In fact, results from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)Peoples’ Climate Vote that polled 1.2 million people in 50 countries worldwide, was reported and  published in January 2021.

This global study showed that of those surveyed a majority agrees reducing global warming is an urgent planet-wide health and safety issue, and immediate steps to halt it must be undertaken now! 

Thrifty Driving Tips to Save Money and Zap Carbon Footprints

Tip #1

Avoid driving whenever possible. Be a good example for your family and walk, bike, or hop on public transit. If you need to commute by car, arrange a carpool. 

Make a commitment to reduce personal transportation usage. It can pay off financially. Some auto insurance companies reduce auto insurance premiums for those who drive less.

Walking, biking, and catching public transit are great exercise and less toxic for the environment as well.

Tip #2

If you have a vehicle, maintain it properly. A tuned car is energy and cost efficient, and can help decrease repairs down the road.  

Tip #3

Schedule and replace your car's air filter regularly. It improves gas economy, prolongs engine life, and reduces carbon emissions.

Tip #4 

Keep car, truck, and van tires inflated. When tires are low, it reduces efficiency and lowers the miles per gallon (MPG).

Tip #5 

Plan ahead and drive all-inclusively. Combine errands to make a loop trip. 

For example, if your grocery run is on the route to or from the post office, dentist appointment, and library, make the choice to group errands rather than make separate trips for each.

Tip #6

Keep your fuel efficient car in good working order to prolong its lifetime.

Vehicle manufacturing accounts for about 30% of each car’s carbon footprint, so conserve, conserve, conserve.

When you buy a used car, select one that gets good MPG. 

If you're in the market for a new car, purchase an electric, hybrid, or alternate fuel vehicle to get the most bang for your buck. 

Maintaining an older car with reasonable gas mileage is just as smart as buying one with lower fuel economy and more emissions. 

A new car has no dents or scratches, but keeping the older model reduces out of pocket expenses and eliminates the need to dump more junk into the landfill. 

Tip #7 

When you have to drive, make "no speeding" the rule. Gas mileage begins to decrease at speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. 

Driving at a consistent speed also helps. Use cruise control during long stretches of straightaway driving, such as a highway.

Tip #8

Telecommute when possible. If you can, work from home to avoid sitting in traffic, and using fossil fuel.

Some employees do their jobs from a location other than a central office, and work remotely one to three days a week or more. 

If you're an entrepreneur, make it a rule to hold staff meetings via Zoom, Facetime, and Skype as much as possible.

Tip # 9

Leadfooted driving wastes fuel. 

Accelerate and brake gently and gradually, and read the road ahead. 

These measures improve the fuel economy of your vehicle by 15%–30% at highway speeds and 10%–40% in stop-and-go traffic.

Tip #10

Stay on paved roads for safety and clean air. 

If you have to drive on a dirt road, drive slowly and cautiously to avoid potholes and keep dust out of the air and lungs. 🚗

Environmentally conscious driving choices help reduce our carbon footprints, and can save lots of money.

Are you an eco-driver or not? Please explain in the comments section below.

What measures have you taken to save on your daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly transportation costs?

Another way to motivate green change is to support legislation and candidates in your state who want expanded rail, bus, or alternative fuel  public transit. 

Do you vote every year and know which candidates support environmental issues? Please comment below.

Did you learn anything new about saving money by being a thrifty, green eco-driver?

I appreciate comments, questions, and feedback. Just remember please to put no links in your comment, as it won't be published that way.

Wishing you a Happy Earth Month and a Green, Green Year.

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