Scientists have recently recorded that in May of 2020 the Earth recorded its highest atmospheric carbon dioxide levels four million years ago. In 2019, this figure was at 412 parts per million, which meant that 2020 saw a 5 parts per million increase. Needless to say, the Earth is getting hotter and hotter and we’re producing carbon dioxide now more than ever. For people who want to do their part and live more sustainable and reduce their carbon footprint, solar panels at home, among a few other noteworthy and meaningful changes in their lifestyle have been the key.
You’re but one individual out of the 7 billion people on the planet. But still, your efforts will matter in the grand scheme of things. You don’t have to be a big corporation with huge revenue behind you to do your part. All it takes is a conscious effort to change the way you live and reduce your consumption of earth’s natural resources.
If you’ve recently just made a commitment to embrace a more sustainable living, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. With many others or families before you who have been able to achieve self sufficiency and have even been able to live completely off the grid, the trick is to start small. Slowly but surely and done consistently, these seemingly-insignificant changes will accumulate into something positively impactful for the planet. Read on to learn more.
Cut Down Consumption of Red Meat
Everyone loves the occasional cheeseburger every now and then. There’s simply nothing like the feeling of biting down on a juicy, perfectly seasoned, and grilled all-beef patty sourced from well-bred cattle. Sounds good doesn’t it? But did you know that making a single cheeseburger emits around 3.6 to 6 kilograms of CO2 or carbon dioxide? And this is still without consideration of the other factors in the cattle industry that lead to an excess in greenhouse gas emissions.
With this knowledge, one of the best ways that you can help is by reducing your consumption of red meat. This can be quite an adjustment for self-proclaimed carnivores. They find it impossible to get by a week without any red protein in their diet. However, the key is to reduce it gradually. A single cattle accounts for at least 220 kilograms of methane production. Think about the many wonders that you can do by reducing your meat consumption. Not only will you be able to save that cattle from going to the slaughterhouse, but you’ll also be doing wonders to the planet and yourself.
For example, instead of buying beef — or any red meat for the matter — replace it with an alternative. It could be chicken or veggie burger during your scheduled grocery run. But if you’re just starting out, you can reduce your weekly purchase of 2 steaks into a single slab, until you get to a point where you don’t crave for it during your nightly dinners. Simple, yet highly effective — opting beef out from your diet can incrementally reduce methane production, even if just by yourself.
Go Solar
Other homes have also started turning towards solar panels as a way of contributing to a low carbon footprint. As you know, the average electrical production depends on non-renewable forms of energy. Fossil fuels, coal, petroleum, natural gas, and many more. When burned to produce electricity for powering buildings, these non-renewable sources can account for a huge chunk of carbon emissions.
It’s likely that you and others are aware of this fact, which is why you made the switch to solar. In its most basic sense, solar energy works by harnessing the sun’s power and converting it into electrical energy. Unlike fossil fuels and other gasses, solar power is renewable. Just as long as the sun’s rays beam down on Earth.
Aside from the obvious benefits mentioned above, depending on the sun to power your home or building also helps you lower energy bills. In fact, some companies, through a “net-metering” system also “incentivizes” solar-powered houses through financial compensation. Because they’re producing more energy than they’re consuming, essentially, they’re “giving back to the electrical grid.” Thus, they are rewarded for it.
Grow and Supply Your Own Food
Going to the grocery and picking out packaged fruits and vegetables have already become the norm. They’re convenient and less time-consuming compared to other methods. However, there’s just so much that goes into the process by which natural produce goes from the farm, store, and then finally, to the table — not to mention the emissions produced just to manufacture the packaging material.
This is why you also have the option of growing and supplying your own food at home. Start off by growing beginner-friendly fruits and vegetables like bell peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, or garlic. Growing these may take time and effort just as any other plant would. But you’ll definitely reap from the hard-earned fruits of your labor.
Key Takeaway
Living sustainably means doing what you can to help the Earth. As we move towards a new generation where we have to be more aware and conscious about how we take care of our planet, it’s crucial that we all make an effort in doing so.
In this simple read, we’ve elaborated some things you can do for a sustainable life and ultimately, future. From investing on solar panels at home, to cutting down on red meat consumption and growing your own produce, you’re already doing more than what is expected of you to make this earth livable for the current and the next generation as well.
