Everyone has a part to play in helping the climate crisis, including you. Sure, big corporations play the biggest role and contribute the most to global warming, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference by making a conscious effort to be more sustainable.
If you’re struggling with where to start, don’t worry. We’ve put together a list of the small ways you can make a positive change but without having to completely overhaul your entire lifestyle. In fact, they’re so small, you likely won’t even think about them after a week or so!
1. Turn off plugs and lights
We’ve all heard that we should be turning off electricals when they’re not in use, but still, so many people remove plug sockets and leave the switch on or leave the room and don’t turn off the light as they go. If this is you, it’s high time to make an conscious effort to turn off plugs and sockets, not least because it uses more energy which is sourced often from fossil fuels.
In addition to the excess energy wastage, it’s thought that in the UK alone over £4.4 billion is wasted every year on bills due to lights being left on. If the climate impact of this doesn’t spur you on to make a change, the cost of it surely will! It’s more of a habit think than anything, so once you get into the routine, you won’t even think about it.
2. Compost wasted food
Food waste is a huge contributor to global warming. In fact, if humans as a whole made a more conscious effort not to throw away the 1.3 billion tons of food we do, we could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 8%. That could make a huge difference.
Some degree of food waste is to be expected, but instead of throwing it away and sending it to landfill to release harmful methane, compost it instead. All you need is a compost bin to get started! Simply scrape your waste into the compost bin and then once broken down, redistribute all the plant goodness back into the earth. It’s a very small change but one that can make all the difference.
3. Make the change to LED
If you’re still using halogen lights, make the switch to LED. They’re far more efficient and last for years. They use way less energy than halogen lights and therefore save you a considerable amount of money, too. It’s a simple switch but a highly effective one, especially when paired with turning them off when not in use!
Whilst you’re making changes, think about buying rechargeable batteries, too. They’re far more efficient than having to buy new ones every time, and over time, they’re more cost-effective, too. Just don’t forget the corresponding nimh battery charger!
4. Exclude draughts
Another small way you can make your home sustainable is to exclude draughts. Around 10% of the heat your home produces is through windows, with another 3%% being through doors. If you haven’t already, you should think about draught exclusion. Small things like thick blinds and door draught excluders can make all the difference to your energy bills because you’ll use less energy. This means fewer fossil fuels being burned which will have a positive impact on the planet.
Summary
These are just four of the small ways you can make your house more sustainable with minimum effort. What tips do you already implement to try and make your home more economical? Share your ideas and advice below for others. Thanks to all the companies linked above.
