When it comes to our personal carbon footprint and impact on the planet, we can cause more change in the household than in most other spaces of our lives. Between the products we buy, our reliance on energy, and the car in our garage, a huge difference can be made. Everyone can take more responsibility for their personal choices.
Of course, corporations make up most of the greenhouse gas emissions and negative impacts on the planet, but our individual decisions still matter. When you are trying to do the right thing and mitigate your carbon footprint, you can find peace of mind and real progress by making your home more sustainable.
Focus on Location and Transportation
Where you live and how you get around are two significant factors in your personal impact on the planet, climate change and the degradation of the environment. It has a tremendous impact on your carbon footprint. If you live in a place where you can easily walk, take public transportation, and get around, you won’t have to drive everywhere.
Furthermore, how close do you live to your place of work? When you have the opportunity to carpool, take the bus, or walk to work, it will decrease the negative impact you have on the environment. Cars are one of the biggest polluters. Electric cars are a better alternative but walking and carpooling can really help you decrease your effect on the planet.
Pay Attention to the Foods You Buy
Another significant part of making your home more sustainable is by paying attention to the foods you buy. The meat industry is a large cause of greenhouse gas emissions. You should do your best to buy the best high-quality meat. You should eat less meat and try to vary the types of animals you are buying and eating.
Doing your best to be conscious of both your meat intake and where it comes from isn’t just better for the planet, it’s better for your body and the bodies of your family. If you are eating high-end, nutritious protein, you will be able to eat more of it and feel good about trying to do your best for the people in your household, the people outside of your household, and the animals who are killed for food.
Use Cosmetic & Hygiene Products
Cosmetic products are not just infamous for including chemicals that are quite bad for you, but they are also known for being tested on animals. When it comes to both cosmetic and hygiene items, there are a lot of products that do use some fairly unsavory ingredients.
Everything from makeup to shampoo to diaper cream can be found in organic and sustainable versions. You don’t have to compromise. They might be more expensive, but the amount that these products harm you, animals, and the environment will cost a lot more in the future.
Invest in Green Energy Technologies
Green energy is one of the things combating climate change and environmental degradation that is both lucrative and sustainable. When you live in a sunny place, investing in solar panels is an effective way to produce energy for your household. Some homes even harvest enough power that they can sell some back to the grid.
Solar is just one of the many different green energy technologies you can invest in, but it is probably the most conducive to the home. For example, whole roofs can be made from solar panels now. If you have the opportunity, green energy technologies can end up being a lucrative investment.
Upgrade to Smart Appliances/Thermostat
Smart appliances come in a wide range of energy-saving versions. Whether it’s a dishwasher, refrigerator, dryer, or something else, it probably comes in a “smart” alternative that saves energy, water, and other resources. Another great option is to upgrade to a smart thermostat.
You’ll be able to control the temperature of your home wherever you are using your phone. You simply turn the thermostat on and off. Some smart thermostats allow you to change the temperature of rooms in the house. Smart appliances are worth a look into.
Whether you care about the environment or just want to save some money, the above methods to make your household more sustainable can pay off in the end. When it comes to thinking deeply about transportation, energy, and the foods we eat, investing early is better than the results that come from things that are bad for you and detrimental to the planet.
