Deciding that you want to reduce your carbon footprint is easy. Figuring out how to do that can be, well, difficult. How much effort do you want? how much money do you want to spend Can you really live without hamburgers? Bloomberg’s Green Living team has a list of things to try, depending on whether you’re ready for big or small changes.
buy clothes and shoes in one’s closet
Rating: Easy
The easiest and cheapest way to deal with climate change in your life is to buy and consume less. This avoids all carbon emissions associated with creating, distributing and using these additional things. When it comes to clothes, this means wearing what you have in your closet about twice as many times. According to his 2017 report for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity, if everyone did it, it could reduce clothing-related emissions by 44%.
buy used clothes
Rating: Easy
If you want to buy more of everything, your best option is to buy second hand. For clothing, shoes and accessories, one of his ways of doing this is through his marketplaces online with third parties such as The RealReal, Inc, ThredUp Inc and Depop. Even second-hand giants with chains of brick-and-mortar stores are pushing online, including his nonprofit Goodwill Industries Inc, which offers GoodwillFinds.
A growing number of clothing and footwear companies, such as outdoor apparel company Patagonia, Inc’s Worn Wear site and running shoe company On AG’s Onward site, resell returned or traded-in products to consumers at discounted prices. Alternatively, you can use a browser extension called Beni when shopping for new clothes. Similar or identical used items will appear in a pop-up box.
shopping with augmented reality
Rating: Easy
There is always a stake in buying clothing online. In 2021, American shoppers returned $761 billion worth of merchandise, according to the National Retail Federation. But according to a survey of more than 4,000 of his shoppers around the world, conducted by market research firm Alter Agents, virtually trying the product on first determines whether it’s right for you. , can reduce the likelihood of returns. Canadian retailer Shopify Inc already allows shoppers to virtually try on products, and other online retail giants such as Amazon.com Inc and Walmart Inc are experimenting with the technology.
try compostable underwear
Rating: Easy
Resale is not an option for most intimates, nor can it be recycled when disposed of. come from ‘impossible resources’. “They allowed for the stretch and support and function that consumers have come to love. But they’re not recyclable at all.” A company called Kent offers a sustainable alternative, compostable underwear. I’m trying
stock up on canned fish
Rating: Easy
The food system accounts for about one-third of annual global emissions, most of which comes from livestock production. By contrast, anchovies, sardines, and other canned fish boast particularly low carbon footprints, making them a cheap climate solution in a can. “Wild fish have the highest protein intake with the lowest carbon footprint,” Feijo says. It will be interesting.”
Try Plant-Based Food Alternatives
Rating: Easy
Another small step to reduce food-related emissions is to switch from animal foods to plant foods. From burgers and nuggets to plant-based milk, eggs and cheese, there are more plant-based food options than ever before. Even as sales of plant-based meat alternatives plummet, options are plentiful. If you don’t like meat alternatives, try originals like beans, tofu, and seitan.
Try the Flexitarian Diet
Rating: Average
The biggest way to reduce food-related emissions is to keep your diet away from meat, dairy and other animal products. However, this still doesn’t mean he has to go vegan: one of his options is the flexitarian diet. Although it is a predominantly plant-based diet, there are no off-limits foods. There are also climate change and weight loss diets that focus on eating less beef, lamb and other meats.
Unplug electrical appliances when not in use
Rating: Easy
Almost every electronic device or appliance in your home consumes power even when not in use or turned on. This phenomenon is called standby power. If you want to reduce your home’s energy consumption, standby power is one place to start. Experts don’t recommend regularly unplugging all devices when not in use for safety reasons, but there are plenty of easy targets. Small kitchen appliances, especially if you are on vacation. Spare TV or cable box in rarely used rooms. And lingering VCRs or other gadgets that are mostly novelties at this point.
Minimize peak energy use
Rating: Average
Amid a devastating heat wave in California this summer, state officials sent text alerts warning consumers to reduce their power usage to avoid power outages. Across the Atlantic, this winter, British officials said they would reduce electricity use during the peak hours of 4pm to 8pm to address energy shortages caused by the crises in Russia and Ukraine. Encourage homeowners. Perhaps this means eating dinner earlier or doing laundry later, but by reducing energy use, especially during peak hours, avoiding bringing additional supplies online can save energy bills. You can reduce it and lower your emissions.
buy recycled toys
Rating: Average
According to a 2021 study published in the journal Environment International, the average Western household buys 40.3 pounds (18.3 kilograms) of plastic toys per child each year. The final destination for many plastic toys is the landfill. To help reduce this plastic waste, toy-making giant Mattel is launching a line of products made from “100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials.” Granted, there aren’t many options available today, but that’s expected to change in the future as more companies tackle their waste and plastic footprints.
Green retirement
Rating: Average
Most employer-sponsored retirement plans and personal retirement plans invest some money in companies that contribute to the climate change crisis, and in many cases the people paying for it are clueless. Do not have. While it’s not always possible to quickly switch your savings to climate-friendly alternatives, the options and resources to do so are increasing.
Transform your commute with an e-bike
Rating: Average
Ignore those who commute on foot or by public transport. However, car drivers looking to reduce emissions and save fuel costs should consider cycling on a regular bike, electric bike, or electric scooter. As a bonus, you will be trending. According to data from NPD Group, Inc., which tracks sales at bike stores, outdoor gear stores and other retail outlets, the electric bike market in the United States will grow 40% between 2020 and 2021, and is expected to grow this year. also continues to expand.
switch to an electric car
Rating: Challenging
If you can’t live without a car, upgrading from a petrol guzzler to an electric option can significantly reduce your carbon and other emissions.
Even hybrid cars make a difference
Rating: Challenging
Not ready to go fully electric? A hybrid vehicle is a complete transition vehicle, allowing you to enjoy the EV life without any charging infrastructure. It may be cheaper and easier to find now. In his first nine months of 2022, drivers around the world have purchased about 2 million hybrid vehicles, according to BloombergNEF. This is a 45% increase over the previous year.
get a heat pump
Rating: Challenging
Discreet heat pumps are gaining increasing attention when it comes to climate technology. It keeps your home cool, reduces humidity in the heat, keeps it warm in the cold, and is more efficient than traditional air conditioners and fossil fuel furnaces.In the long run, heat pumps can save energy costs. .
go to solar
Rating: Challenging
One of the most important ways to reduce your lifestyle emissions is to supply your home with clean energy.
