Thinking about going eco-friendly? Here are some steps you can start with

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

Climate change and related environmental problems are in limelight now than ever before. We all have seen how some days of lockdown helped our mother earth to rejuvenate herself. There are cleaner water, fresh air, more birds chirping around, animals roaming freely, and even more beautiful little butterflies around you.

If a few days of lockdown could do this don’t you think it’s high time we rethink our lifestyle? A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so let’s see what simple changes we can bring in our routine to save our planet.

Save energy

Energy conservation is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Turn off those electricals on stand by and see a huge difference especially in your bills. You can also opt for eco-friendly technology like movement sensing lights and fans. Eco-friendly Acs and refrigerators are also available in the market.

Recycle, reuse and reduce

Make this your life motto and see how everything changes for the best. Think before you throw anything away as almost everything from a bottle cap to a car can be recycled. Keep plastics away as much as you can from your life. Opt for other eco-friendly replacements for plastic like glass straws, pens made from recycled paper, and cloth shopping bags.

Reduce use of private vehicles

If you can make your journey by foot, bike or public transport, then do it. Driving, unless you’re in an electric vehicle, isn’t very eco-friendly and can really add to your carbon footprint. When you do have to drive, make sure that you get the most out of your vehicle by keeping the speed down, ensuring tyres are properly inflated and that the engine is running smoothly. You can also use proper additives in the fuel you use.

Plant some trees

Do we even need to explain this point? It’s high time we make some rules about planting trees. Plant as many trees you can and let that do the magic.

Do not waste food

Did you know that 7.3 million tonnes of food are wasted in the UAE every year? This isn’t just a huge waste of food and money, it adds to the amount of CO2 being created in landfills. Also, think about those who cannot afford a single meal while you throw your food out. If there is waste food make sure to compost it which is again very eco-friendly.

Grown your own groceries

Growing your own vegetables and fruits isn’t just a good way to save money, it’s also a great way to cut down your carbon footprint and be eco-friendly. Don’t worry if you don’t have outside space, windowsill or a corner in the living room is all you need. This will also brighten up your view, filter the air coming into your home and offer plenty of space for herbs and small vegetable patches. This will also help you reduce those frequent visits to stores.

Choose your bath and beauty products wisely

When it comes to personal hygiene there are several things you need to be careful to avoid for a truly eco-friendly lifestyle. Avoid chemicals and opt for more natural cleaning products. Choose brands that recycle their plastic waste. Beware of microbeads, which are small bits of solid plastic that aren’t biodegradable. These make their way into watercourses and ultimately end up damaging the environment by entering the food chain. Make sure that your body wash, toothpaste, face scrub, and other products do not contain these beads.

Fly less

This might seem far-fetching but flying is one of the most environmentally damaging things you can do. Everyone oversee the fact that even a domestic flight produces huge metric tons of carbon. This pollutes the air we breathe and even disturbs the natural course of birds. Rethink and reshape your lifestyle.