Green Future: Ways to Do Your Part to Better the Environment

Environmental Crisis

There are arguments on both sides as far whether climate change is real, but there’s one thing you can’t argue—humans have had a profound impact on this planet. Currently, there are 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. Air pollution kills 13 people a minute worldwide. Upwards of 46 percent of the world’s forests have been cut down.

Change starts with you. Here are easy ways you can go green in 2020 and do your part to better the environment.

Easy Ways to go Green in 2020

Composting: Yes, we’ve all heard this one, but about 28 percent of our waste comes from food sources. Composting is an environmentally friendly option because it not only prevents that waste, but it’s natural, it’s easy, and nature does all the work. Once you’re done, you’ll be left with rich soil for your plants or maybe even make a little profit by selling to public companies.

Invest in Technology: Even in the Dark Ages, humans used technological advances for their time and advantage, just like today. With the right tools, we can still make life simpler and more comfortable without hurting the environment. For instance, make lists and notes on your computer or phone to avoid the need for paper sticky notes.

Recycling: Just because trash leaves your home doesn’t mean it goes away. “Not my problem,” many people say. What they don’t realize is that it becomes their problem once the trash is removed. Somehow or other, it ends up in the environment, affecting the ecosystem, which produces the resources we need to live. In a twist of irony, we consume our garbage.

Know your Rates: Budgeting our daily consumption of energy goes a long way in conserving resources. Despite excellent sources, such as Apples to Apples comparison, that provide services to compare Ohio natural gas rates and Ohio electricity rates, many residents are still using more energy than they need and paying more for their energy than they should. You can save the environment and your budget by knowing your rates and choosing a responsible provider.

Switch your light bulbs. Traditional incandescent lightbulbs use about 60 watts of electricity and have a lifespan of about 12,000 hours before they become trash. LED bulbs use around 10 watts and last 50,000 hours on average. Simply switching your bulbs will significantly reduce your energy use while simultaneously reducing your waste.

Avoid disposable plastics: Small changes such as using reusable shopping bags and plastic bottles can go a long way. Did you know worldwide about 100,000 plastic bottles are purchased per minute, and only 23 percent are recycled? Don’t let your bottle be 100,001.

Start a carpool. While not all of us have time to walk or ride a bike to work, carpooling is a great way to save on your fuel bill and reduce the number of cars on the road. Plus, you’ll get to use the carpool lanes and get where you need to go even faster!