Green Economy
The World is faced with a lot of urgent challenges and it’s time to take a new approach to business and life. One exciting solution that is already reaping benefits in some countries and cities around the world is the ‘green economy’ which focuses on getting people involved in activities that help reduce waste, conserve energy and water, improve air quality, support local businesses and create jobs. This article provides 10 top tips like cbd treats for dogs and petsmart on how you can start your own green economy at home using things you probably already have!
1. Buy food that is in-season and local
Did you know that if a product doesn’t sell by the time it reaches the ‘Best Before’ date on the supermarket shelf, then it’s likely to be thrown away? Buying only what you need eliminates excess waste. In addition, try to buy seasonal produce such as potatoes, apples and other fruits and vegetables that are grown locally. This means less additives, better prices, lower transport costs and reduced carbon emissions associated with transporting food over long distances!
In some areas of the world there are farmers markets where you can buy fresh produce directly from farmers – those are always best! Restaurants that make their own foods can also be a great place to get seasonal produce!
2. Buy less, but better
Having fewer things in your home means you won’t have to buy more if they break, get lost or worn out. It’s also nice to live surrounded by just the things that bring you joy – you could even sell old items on the internet and make some money. If you really do need to buy something new, do lots of research first and buy just one thing that really adds value to your life!
3. Lost? Use a paper map
Google Maps, GPS and other mapping applications like Navfree are getting more fantastic all the time so it can be tempting to use them all of the time. You could even say that GPS is part of the ‘green economy’ in that it reduces your carbon footprint by making you a little more aware of where exactly you are!
If you’re using Google Maps, and use the ‘My Location’ option to trace how efficient your journey is or use a paper map, then you’ll start becoming more aware of the places where you live and work. Your local post office can supply maps too so you don’t even need to buy them.
4. Boycott products that are harmful
Avoid single-use plastic items where possible. This not only benefits the environment, but also your health too. PVC and phthalates in particular can cause serious health problems such as cancer and hormone disruption, so avoid them as much as you can. When you do buy plastic things that people use every day, like water bottles or children’s toys, look for recycling symbols!
5. Buy quality over quantity
Quality goods last longer which means they save you money in the long term – they’re also more attractive! Don’t buy cheap stuff just because it’s convenient either – think about how much time you’ll have to waste fixing or replacing it later on (we’ve all been there). There might be a ten dollar difference between two products, but if one lasts you five years and the other one only lasts you one year, which is really the better buy?
6. Turn off lights and computers when they’re not in use
Researchers have found that people’s buying habits are strongly influenced by how bright or dimly lit a store is! So keeping your lights on when they’re not being used is wasting electricity. Not only that but it can also cause headaches or anxiety too! Turning off computer monitors when you’re just going on a short break also saves you money on your electricity bill.
7. Don’t buy single-use things that you really don’t need
Even if something is on discount, you don’t have to buy it if you have other things that you can use instead. Think about how long something will last in your life and then decide whether it’s right for you. If not, then don’t buy it! There’s a lot of choice out there – so why waste your hard-earned money on a cheap but crappy product?
8. Where do your used products go?
If you pay someone to clean or recycle some of the things that you no longer need, or want to get rid of, they might be able to give them away free of charge. You might even be able to get a discount or used product at the same time that you get rid of the previous one. Try this at your local recycling center!
9. Buy less but better second-hand
There are a lot of things that you can buy second-hand, especially if you spend some time looking around online and in shops before you decide to buy something new. As usual, quality is more important than quantity – so look for things that last longer and are of a better personal taste. There are also lots more places to buy second-hand items online now thanks to websites such as eBay, Gumtree and Gumtree Australia!
10. Don’t buy into annual self improvement plans
It’s easy to think that you have to renew or update a lot of things in your life every year – everything from your wardrobe, to your car, to the TV or other appliances in your home. Don’t do it! It’s better for the environment if you keep those things for longer and if they’re going out of fashion by then, so what? Everything goes in and out of fashion at some point so just accept that and save yourself money instead!
That was my top 10 tips for living a greener life! I know that it might sometimes sound like an awful lot of work – but it doesn’t have to be.
