6 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Help the Environment
Using expanding technology can make our lives easier, but it can also damage the environment. Much of our technology releases toxic greenhouse gasses and other emissions that are harmful to the planet, especially most transportation technology. Thankfully, as people become increasingly aware of our technology’s impact on the earth, we’ve used innovation to create new ways to minimize the negative impacts.
Even the average person can contribute to keeping our environment healthy and intact. Here are six extremely easy ways you can help keep the planet intact.
Volunteer.
If you want to take your environmental obligation to a new level, try sharing your passion with your community. Volunteering to help protect the environment has many benefits. In addition to helping our planet heal from human impact, volunteering provides an excellent avenue to meet like-minded people. There’s no better way to make friends than to meet people while working toward a common goal. Not sure where to volunteer?
Here are a few ideas that might help you choose organizations that positively impact the planet.
- Local animal rescue organizations
- Parks and Recreation programs
- Volunteer matching websites
Plant a tree.
It’s been estimated that anywhere from 3.5 to 7 billion trees are cut down each day around the world. Isn’t that devastating? It seems that humans are cutting down more trees than new ones have a chance to grow.
You can help improve this problem by simply planting a new tree. Even planting a single tree can do so much good for nature and the environment. Trees help clean the air, filter water, absorb carbon, create shade, give birds shelter, and enrich the soil.
Not sure how to plant a tree? Here are a few tips:
- Research what species thrives in your area
- Plan a location that helps survival
- Plant the tree during cooler seasons when soil is moist
- Use supports for smaller trees until they’re bigger and stronger
Eat seasonally.
Eating produce during their proper season reduces the demand for out of season fruits and vegetables. Mega farms often use harmful practices that damage the earth in order to provide produce out of season, so keep this in mind. Watching what you eat from season to season reduces the impact of harmful chemicals because of decreased demand for that produce item. Additionally, it supports your local economy because it boosts business for local farmers who often provide cheaper and cleaner produce.
Save the bees.
Believe it or not, it takes more than soil, water, and sunshine to make the world green. According to an article published by The Penn State Extension, at least 30 percent of the world’s crops and 90 percent of all plants require cross-pollination to thrive. Bees are pollinating powerhouses, yet many bee species are declining in population due to rapid development, abandoned farms, and diminishing flowers. Some colonies collapse due to consuming plant or seed matter laced with pesticides.
You can help prevent further decline of the bee population in your area by planting more flowers that the bee population requires for survival. Do some research about the kinds of bees in your area as well as the types of plants they need most. Make sure to use only nonharmful fertilization and pesticide treatments on your plants.
Conserve energy.
All energy sources have some level of impact on our environment. Coal oil and natural gas cause more harm than renewable energy in many ways such as air and water pollution, damage to public health, wildlife loss, and much more.
Reducing your use of energy alone will not impact the environment much, but if you do it and encourage others to as well, that’s how a movement begins! Taking steps to reduce your energy consumption and spreading the word for others to do the same, will reduce the demand for harmful energy.
Recycle.
Recycling is such an easy thing to do, yet so many don’t bother to do it. Reusing materials and properly disposing of harmful ones is an essential step toward protecting our world. With dozens of recycling facilities and most cities offering recycle pickup, there are few available excuses for not recycling.
Before tossing your garbage in the nearest trashcan, take an extra second to look around for a recycling receptacle. Many cities have now provided recycling bins right next to public trashcans.
You can also shop with the environment in mind! Consider purchasing more used items throughout the year. Every new product you purchase leaves a footprint on the environment because making new products requires mineral mining and manufacturing plants that consume exorbitant amounts of energy. Practice doing a bit of thrifting when it makes sense for you.
Hopefully, these ideas will get you started on helping to heal our earth, but if you still have concerns about recycling and eco-friendly living in general, Carolina Fibre is here to help. Check out our blog for more tips or contact us today!