Being sustainable is something that people are looking to do more and more these days, as the importance of it has been highlighted to us all. There are a number of different ways in which families can change some aspects of their lives to live more sustainably, and often these don’t have to be huge adjustments. They just mean that you must be more aware of your actions and their consequences.
Here are a couple of things you can do if you want to be more sustainable as a family but aren’t quite sure where to begin.
Choose Sustainable Vacation Destinations
When picking your vacation destination for this year, make sure sustainability comes into the equation. You can do this by either choosing a location that isn’t so far away – thereby reducing your travel footprint – or by choosing somewhere that is dedicated to sustainability. This means that the money you spend on the vacation will contribute to improving such things as the livelihoods of a community or the natural environment. A great example of this is the Belize eco lodge, which is an eco-resort that prioritizes the natural environment and keeps it as a place for enjoyment and not exploitation.
You can also pick a destination away from the crowds to help curb over-tourism, since this has many negative consequences such as air pollution, litter, and excessive water consumption.
Know Where Your Food Comes From
Knowing where your food comes from is another way you can be more sustainable. You can do this by only buying vegetables and fruits that are in season, so they don’t have to be flown hundreds of miles from another country. Even better, instead of buying from large supermarkets, you could buy from a local greengrocer, which will have vegetables that are most likely grown nearby.
Alternatively, if you have the space for it, you could even look into growing your own fruits and vegetables. They will be much fresher and taste delicious! You can take this one step further by starting a compost bin in your yard. By doing so, you will be improving your soil quality and reducing the waste you send to landfill.
Don’t Rely on Your Car So Much
If you try and switch your habits so that you aren’t driving around so much and are instead doing most things on your feet, you will be leading a much more sustainable lifestyle. Cars produce a lot of carbon dioxide as a by-product; therefore, the less congestion on the roads, the less pollution in the air. Be a part of this change and use your feet, bicycles and public transport wherever possible! Walking and cycling are also healthy so you will be getting your daily exercise in too.
Small habits can make such a difference to our environment. It is good to teach kids the importance of doing these things too, since they will easily become second nature. It will also feel rewarding to know you are doing something beneficial for the world.
Cover image: photo via unsplash
