Earth Day is just around the corner and you're probably just as excited as we are to spend the day helping Mother Nature! However, is one day enough? What happens to the other 364 days of the year?
While devoting 24 hours to demonstrate how much we care about the future of our planet is great, it's important to remember that we can do more. After all, saving the environment is about saving our own lives, too. No matter what your lifestyle choices are, there are small changes you can do. Don't let the calendar stop you from incorporating these green habits into your everyday routine:
1. Grow your own produce.
If you're going to incorporate just one sustainable living practice into your lifestyle, make it growing your own food. It doesn't have to be a sprawling field of crops, even a few potted vegetable plants can go a long way. Aside from being able to cut out chemicals from your diet, it also lessens your carbon footprint as you don't have to drive to the supermarket as often as you used to.
2. Use alternative transportation.
When was the last time you left your car at home? Whenever posssible—especially if your destination is only a short distance from your home—consider walking, riding a bike or commuting instead. While this may take more effort, alternative transportation lessens your contribution to the daily pollution in the streets.
3. Switch to energy-efficient lighting.
For those who still have incandescent light bulbs installed at home, take the time to replace them with energy-efficient CFL lights. It produces the same intensity of light without the heat and consumes a lower amount of energy so it saves you a few bucks from your electricity bill, too.
4. Ditch using plastic completely.
Did you know that plastic is made from petroleum which is a godsend to the fossil fuel industry? Revisit your waste disposal ways and commit to eliminating plastic from your life. Start by giving up bottled water, avoiding straws, and carrying reusable shopping bags to the store—Mother Nature will thank you for it later.
5. Go outside.
Believe it or not, going out and basking in the sun is the best way to remind yourself why we need to work together to protect the earth. Take a walk in the park, go hiking with some friends, go on a picnic—do whatever you want and enjoy how great it feels to be one with nature.
This story originally appeared on Realliving.com.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Femalenetwork.com editors.
