In a world increasingly tried by the deleterious actions of us men, it’s time to change our lifestyles, to choose to protect the planet and live in harmony with nature. As well as the negative effects of climate change involve more or less all of us, thus reducing environmental impact concerns every individual. But what are the possible solutions to global warming? What can a person or a country do to change course and to make the world more green and sustainable?
1. Give up fossil fuels
Our lives, from food to work, from clothing to houses, are still based on fossil fuels and on oil. The technologies for a greener living are there, we just have to use them. A person who buy solar panels, choose to buy an electric car, choose ecological clothes can make a difference. And, at the time of the elections, we must remember to choose who is aware of how a wind turbine can make a difference.
2. Consume less and share more
The sharing economy allows everyone to buy a lot less stuff, you can share the bike, but also the car, the holiday house, spaces for the office and more. It is a solution to climate change for everyone, which saves money and fuel, producing less.
3. Decrease commute
Every day billions of people travel to work. How many of these use the car, maybe by theirselves? Many: transport is the second largest source of CO2 emissions in the United States. Yet it would be so easy to reduce drastically this consumption. Each of us may think to live closer to their jobs, to use the bike, public transport or make use of car sharing services. Companies could make it possible for their employees to work, even just a few days a week, from home.
4. Eat better and natural
Whatever your type of diet, you can choose food that do not harm the environment. Small actions to reduce your impact: eat less meat, choose organic and local products, which have not been around the world to get to your table.
5. Renovate houses and improve infrastructure
If you have a house with a low energy class, this might be the right time to think about a renovation to make it more energy efficient, taking advantage of existing incentives, so that you can save money and at the same time preserving the Earth. Our city and our regions should also invest in improving the infrastructure: a rough road makes less the performance of the most efficient vehicles.
6. Save the trees and forests
Trees can be a quick solution to combat climate change, but each year we destroyed 30 million acres of forests, destroying the biodiversity of these amazing ecosystems. We can buy recycled paper and use it several times, we can buy only certified wood and we can plant more new trees.
7. Goodbye Stand-by
It’s hard to believe, but in the United States the citizens spends more electricity (and thus money) for electronic devices when they are apparently turned off. The red light of televisions, the computers, and many other devices and appliances can considerably increase our bills and our carbon footprint.
8. Efficiency first
If you’re thinking of buying a new washing machine, a new fridge or some other appliance, your choice must necessarily be geared towards efficient ones that will allow you to save on bills and especially on CO2 emissions.
9. Towards Zero Waste
Each product we buy has a life cycle consisting of several steps, each of which produces CO2 emissions. So before you buy anything new try something made of recycled materials, reuse what you have at home, and reduce packaging. Some of the world’s cities, including San Francisco, in a few years will reach the goal of zero waste, why can’t we all do it?
10. The technology that help us savings
Just an App in our smartphone to control our consumption: understanding what are the devices that consume more, assess the thermal insulation can help us understand what may be the next to reduce our consumption.
Being aware is the first step to change our lifestyles, each of us can make a difference and make the world more sustainable; not only in everyday life.
It is increasingly necessary to also change the way we travel, whereas tourism is the fourth largest source of pollution in Europe. How to do it? Here are 5 easy tips to turn your vacation into green travel:
1. Avoid cruises
In recent years cruises have become increasingly popular, becoming the kind of holiday that has grown faster than any other in the last 20 years. But do you know that it is also the most polluting and is responsible for the destruction of coral reefs and marine ecosystems?
2. Slow mobility
Whenever you can, choose to travel by train and forget the plane. Use your bike and car pooling.
3. The wonders nearby
I’m sure that wherever you live a few kilometers away there’s a place to discover. And so, instead of taking a plane or car every weekend, travel by foot, bike or on horseback to discover the beaches, the mountains, the pristine nature around your home.
4. Local and Organic food
Now in almost all places in the world you can find beautiful restaurant offering only organic food or farm house with local produce.
5. Green hotels and B&B
The eco-friendly accommodation, that se green electricity and save water, save up to 90% and in CO2 emissions compared to a traditional hotel. With Ecobnb you can find more than 2000 hospitality around the world!