The environment can change through human actions. That is why the environment is important to many people and they try to live environmentally consciously. However, due to the high level of waste and pollution, the environment can of course also deteriorate. Often people are unaware that their choices and behavior cause environmental damage and pollution. However, by making a number of small adjustments and living environmentally consciously, you can easily contribute to a healthy environment! Fortunately, there are plenty of tips for a green life.
Environmentally conscious living means that you are aware of the environment: the environment in which we live. If you are environmentally conscious, you can also adapt your behavior to this more easily. By making conscious choices for food, your means of transport and energy, you can make a positive contribution to the environment. Even if you will not immediately adopt all tips, you can always try some. In this way you contribute to a healthier living environment for yourself and future generations.
Nutrition
When it comes to your diet, there are a number of things you can try. One tip is easier to apply than the other, but it’s worth a try. When you go to the store to buy food, it is best to bring a list. In this way, you should have thought about what and (especially) how much food you need in advance. In the Netherlands, a lot of food is thrown away because people buy too much and do not cook to size. So make sure you don’t buy and cook too much food at once. Once you have cooked and there is food left over, you can save it and freeze the leftovers. For example, you can do a leftovers day once a week so that you don’t have to throw the food away.
Another way to make conscious purchases is to buy certain types of products. For example, it is more environmentally friendly to buy seasonal vegetables, because they often need to be transported less far to get to the supermarket. You can also choose to buy more organic products, which can be recognized by various quality marks, such as eko and eco-label. Organic products have often used less energy and emitted fewer harmful substances.
One way to make a big positive impact on the environment in your diet is by not eating meat, because the production of 1 kilo of meat takes about 14 times more energy than the production of plant food. You can become a fully vegetarian, but you can also leave meat a few times a week. There are several products that contain protein and are much less harmful to the environment than meat, such as egg, legumes, quorn and meat substitutes that you can buy ready-made in the store.
Transport
The environment is heavily polluted by exhaust fumes. You can therefore save a lot of energy by opting for the most economical means of transport. A car is very polluting compared to public transport and the bicycle. Therefore, try to get to work by train or bus. If this does not work, a more economical car is a good alternative. Do try to cycle shorter distances (for example for shopping) and not to go by car, no matter how tempting this may be. With panniers, a good amount of groceries can be taken with you and the environment is less polluted than if you were to go by car. Also try to take the train when you leave for a day or weekend. You can travel through Europe by train reasonably cheaply and this saves you exhaust fumes. This also applies to going on vacation, as the plane is one of the biggest polluters and you can prevent pollution by choosing a greener alternative.
Energy and household
A lot of energy can be saved not only outdoors, but also indoors. An obvious choice is to take green electricity, so that you make a direct contribution to a greener and healthier environment. However, there are many small things you can do in your household to live more environmentally consciously that often save money in the long run. For example, you can start by buying energy-efficient appliances, which can be recognized by an A label. You don’t have to replace all your equipment immediately, but you do, for example, buy a green refrigerator if your current refrigerator needs to be replaced.
There are also ways in which you can use household appliances that save energy. An example is washing your clothes cold (and preferably on the eco setting) instead of warm and not using a dryer, but hanging your clothes. Another tip is to defrost things in the refrigerator: this will take a little longer to defrost, but you will save energy because the refrigerator has to cool less. In addition, many electronic devices go into a standby mode instead of turning off completely. Make sure to turn them off, as a standby mode also consumes energy. One way to do this is to unplug the device or plug it into a power strip that you can turn off. Also, don’t forget to turn off the light when you leave a room. These are all relatively easy tricks that not only save energy but also energy costs with little effort.