6 Tips for Sustainable Living in the Modern Age
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) noted in a publication that 2023 was the warmest year the world has ever experienced. This is caused by the steady increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which has led to extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, flooding, and tropical cyclones. The Philippines is no stranger to taking the brunt of such climate change hazards. Every year, the country is hit by an average of 20 typhoons, most of which leave millions’ worth of damages in its wake.
Rather than be disheartened by this, this should serve as a wake-up call to live more sustainably to reduce individual carbon footprint and minimize the damage your daily actions may bring to the environment. With that in mind, here are some tips you can put into practice to live sustainably in this modern age.
1. Reduce Plastic Use
Plastic waste takes decades or even centuries to decompose and even then, they don’t disappear completely. Thus, they continuously pollute landfills and oceans. In particular, plastic bags pose a grave threat to animals such as birds, sea turtles, and other marine life, as these creatures end up getting trapped or choked on them; they may also end up ingesting plastic debris. In this way, microplastics can get transferred higher up into the food chain; the fish you’re eating might have tiny bits of plastic in it and become a health hazard instead of a source of nutrition.
Sadly, plastic is used practically everywhere and can be very difficult to completely avoid. The next best thing and more realistic route is to aim to reduce your plastic use as much as you can. Carry reusable bags when shopping, use a refillable water tumbler, and avoid single-use items like to-go utensils as much as you can. The less plastic you use, the less waste there would be in landfills and oceans.
2. Shift to Digital Banking
Opting for a digital bank and going paperless with your transactions can have numerous benefits for the environment. For one, it eliminates paper waste that comes from receipts and bank statements, in turn also conserving resources that are used to make paper. Moreover, since you can just manage your transactions digitally, there’s no need to drive to your local bank—thus also lessening your carbon footprint.
Opening a digital savings account can be done with zero paperwork, too. For instance, you can open a Maya Savings account through your Maya app with just one ID and no minimum balance. You can then move money seamlessly in and out of your Maya Savings account through the Maya app, making it a more efficient banking alternative even as you minimize paper waste and energy consumption.
3. Be a Mindful Shopper
In this age of hyperconsumerism, strive to be a more mindful shopper and stick only to essentials. By purchasing less, you cut down the environmental footprint associated with manufacturing, including resources or raw materials, energy, and emissions during transportation. You also lessen the waste that gets dumped in landfills once products have reached their end of life.
Each time you’re thinking of buying an item, ask yourself: “Do I really need this?” Better yet, explore other options like buying second-hand or borrowing from a friend. Opt for minimal packaging as well. Lastly, look into businesses who value sustainability in their operations and shop from them instead.
4. Buy Local
With the previous considerations in mind, choose to buy locally made goods whenever possible. If a product or food is made or grown within your community, then there’s less transportation required before it gets to you and thus has less carbon footprint. Additionally, shopping locally minimizes packaging waste because there’s no need to bubble-wrap and box your purchases when you can just pick them up from a local store.
You can even take this a step further and grow your own fruits and vegetables when you can, which saves you money and also ensures that you’re eating organic.
5. Change Your Driving Habits
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, transportation accounts for around a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. This is because the primary source of energy for vehicles is still fossil fuels, which release large amounts of carbon dioxide during combustion. To help lessen the environmental impact of fossil fuels, make an effort to change your driving habits. Avoid taking short car trips and plan your routes beforehand to minimize travel time. Whenever possible, cut down your air conditioning usage or at least set the thermostat to more reasonable levels. Last but not least, consider seeking out alternative transportation options such as commuting, carpooling, or cycling.
6. Look into Solar Energy
Using solar energy to power your home doesn’t only lower your electricity bill, but also reduces the carbon dioxide emissions that come from energy production. If you can afford even a simple setup, utilizing solar energy and other renewable energy sources in your home is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your household in the long run.
As the effects of climate change become more prevalent than ever, we should strive to live more sustainably to help the environment. The tips listed above are just some of the simple steps you can start doing now to reduce your own carbon footprint and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
