There is much advice to be taken about becoming environmentally friendly, ecologically conscious, and living sustainably — in other words – going greens. As people, our combined efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, recycle, and use renewable energy sources like wind, biofuel and solar energy will go a long way toward improving the state of our world. But perhaps the best way that we can improve the environment is to take personal responsibility for consuming less resources. Consuming fewer resources doesn’t just mean turning off the water when you brush your teeth or flipping off the lights in the hallway when you go to bed. Consuming less is a comprehensive strategy for conserving our natural habitats by changing our societal roles from that of passive consumers to active citizens. Here are a few ways to ‘go green’ by consuming less:
Don’t rely on fuel to move. For hundreds and thousands of years humans got around without spewing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Clearly, in today’s world there are times when we must transport ourselves quickly and for those occasions automobiles may be necessary. But as a citizen who is a part of the ecology that is suffering from global warming, make the decision to take public transportation, or choose to walk, go for a jog, or ride your bike. Make a conscious effort to consume less fuel.
Don’t buy furniture without a C2C certification. Having a Cradle 2 Cradle certification means that the furniture was manufactured using sustainable lumber and energy-efficient production methods. It also ensures that your furniture won’t have toxic chemicals in it and will be easy to recycle. The C2C standard can be applied just as meaningfully to appliances, buildings, and urban conditions as well.
Shop from local markets and merchants who don’t use plastic. Stop buying materials packaged in non-sustainable plastics and non-biodegradable materials. When you buy groceries, don’t get them from big grocery stores that spray their vegetables with pesticides. Instead, get them from local farmer’s markets and take them home in your eco-friendly bags. Stop supporting chains that are wasteful.
In general, you should think about consuming less as a standard practice. Though we live in a consumer society, excessive commerce supports a mental environment of waste, indulgence, and un-sustainability. This translates into a physical environment of decimated ecosystems, over-fished oceans, and polluted skies. If we can curb our wasteful habits together, we will reduce our global footprint and live in harmony with the natural environment.
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