5 ways to reduce your carbon footprint

We live in a culture that keeps us updated on all of the most recent environmental news, which means most of us are well aware of the harm that humans are doing to the environment.

Fortunately, this has sparked a positive societal reaction, where being environmentally conscious is trendy. Thus, in today’s era, we’re making phenomenal strides in protecting what generations before ours took for granted.

That being the case, you can find a treasure trove of information related to ways you can reduce your carbon footprint, all of which fall under five core eco-consciousness principles to live by.

Eco-conscious commuting

Let’s face it, modern-day transportation gives humans a huge carbon footprint that affects the ozone layer of the Earth. In fact, the carbon monoxide emissions from transportation vehicles directly harm the surrounding environment. The surefire way to combat that is to become an eco-conscious commuter.

Becoming an eco-conscious commuter is possible regardless of where you live. If you live in a large metropolitan area, you most likely have access to public transportation. Choosing to use public transportation rather than owning your own car can help reduce your carbon footprint. For those in more rural areas, carpooling and/or car-sharing can be a great place to start.

Eco-conscious wardrobe

We all love to be fun and stylish, and the best way to showcase that is with our fashion. What most people don’t know, however, is that the ways in which our clothes are manufactured can harm forests, are often done in inhumane conditions, or have immense emissions that negatively impact the local area.

Researching the manufacturing and business practices of clothing brands you love most is vital. Not only will you gain a lot of insight, but you will become a conscious consumer. Many clothing factories operate abroad where laws regarding pollution are little to nil. Knowing the “behind-the-scenes” practices of fashion brands will not only encourage you to make meaningful choices, but will help reduce your carbon footprint.

Eco-conscious researcher

This one seems simple, but too many people forget that a key way to reduce your carbon footprint is by educating yourself. The more you know about the ways in which your day-to-day living is harming the environment, the more you can actively make changes and educate others.

Taking time to dive into the issue of how your carbon footprint will last far beyond your own life is important. This is something to be encouraged by! You have the opportunity to live your best life and ensure the health of future generations. “Knowledge is power.” Read more and research more so that you can do more.

Eco-conscious hygiene routine

There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a long, hot bath or shower. The truth is, though, that these daily habits can really take a toll on the environment. Excessive use of water is wasteful, especially when you realize that there are literally millions of people on Earth without access to clean drinking water, much less water to wash their clothing.

Think of how much water you waste when you do daily things like brushing your teeth, showering, and laundry. Then think of creative ways to scale back and to break the bad habit of letting the water run for too long. It sounds like a small difference, but small differences add up.

Eco-conscious consumer

We’re a consumeristic society, plain and simple. Naturally, this can pose major implications for the environment. The constant buying and then disposing of plastic containers, jugs, toxic materials, and the like all contribute to already overpopulated landfills — not to mention the absolutely grotesque amount of plastic in the ocean harming marine life. There’s even a few-miles-long “garbage island” floating in the ocean. Yuck.

Being an eco-conscious consumer means taking the time to know the processes and materials that go into the products you buy. Do you need the plastic silverware that comes with your fast food? Do you really need to be buying plastic straws? Have you considered spending a little extra on organic, compostable, eco-friendly products? Take the time to think about what you’re purchasing and how it affects the environment in the long run — you might have a pretty good idea already if you’ve become an eco-conscious researcher!

Put them all together

Reducing your carbon footprint, being more eco-friendly, and living a more sustainable life doesn’t happen by adopting a few different behavior changes. It means taking a good look at your lifestyle and actively making changes to live a more eco-conscious life. Just like with trying to lose weight, positive outcomes start by making lasting changes to your lifestyle.

If you’re interested in truly making an impact on the environment, you can do so by putting together all these different core eco-conscious principles to create an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Why it’s important

Without getting too preachy, caring for the environment is vital to increasing the quality of life for current and future generations. It’s our civil and moral duty as humans to care for what’s around us, including the environment and other people. Also, to care for ourselves in general.

Being eco-friendly is only one aspect of a full circle of being your ideal or higher self! Wellness, self-love, eco-consciousness, and humanitarianism are all other important aspects of this full circle.

Use your newfound eco-consciousness to start adopting positive habits in every other area of your life. Reducing your carbon footprint is just one step of many that can help you live your best life!