Global warming is a serious threat to every living thing on our planet. Meanwhile, the reduction of natural resources and the proliferation of waste is also negatively impacting our food supply, including the crops we grow and the animals we eat (or that serve an important function in our food chain). Bees are dying. Clean water is becoming more scarce in places. Plastic is filling our oceans.
It can all be a little overwhelming for the average person. What can you do as an individual, after all? You are just one person, and you can’t make a difference. Well, maybe one person can’t reverse the problem, but one person can join another person who can join another person and so on and so on until we are working collectively to make real change.
Here are some easy things you can do now to reduce your carbon footprint and help the world (and your pocketbook):
Get Solar Power
You can take steps to lower your energy usage, but you can make an even bigger impact by eliminating your use of natural resources completely. You can do that with solar panels. How much energy you can generate depends on how many panels you install, where you are located, and the position of your home. You may be able to minimize your energy consumption significantly, or you may be able to generate all the energy your home needs through your solar panels. You may even be able to generate enough to have extra that you can sell back to the power company.
Of course, the quality of the panels matters also. If you invest in something like premium Ion Solar panels, you are going to get better performance and generate more energy.
Install a Water Collection System
You don’t need clean water for everything you do in your home, and you are likely letting a lot of usable water flush right down the drain. A water collection system can help you retain more of your water, eliminating waste and lowering your water usage. For example, so-called “gray water” that comes from showers and sinks can be used to water your garden, clean your home’s exterior, or even wash your car. You would use thousands of gallons of water for those activities, so reusing your water can help you cut down on your usage significantly.
You can also set up rain barrels to collect rainwater that would otherwise run into the ground and potentially oversaturate your plants. The rain barrel can be connected to a system that can water your yard during drought, keep your garden hydrated, or clean your home.
Grow Your Own Food
Growing a garden can help you cut down on your carbon footprint significantly. Every bit of food you grow yourself reduces the amount of pesticides and fertilizers used in commercial farming operations, gas used to transport the produce, and the packaging for it. You are helping to save a lot of natural resources and to reduce harmful waste.
You can make an even bigger impact by hunting and gathering. Factory-raised animals produce a significant amount of waste and pollution, so any meat that you can acquire through hunting can reduce that harm. You can also gather items like mushrooms (though be careful!), yeast, and other essentials. Depending on how much time you are willing to put in and how much you are willing to learn, you could completely supply your own food so that you significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Shopping from local suppliers for the rest will continue to help.
You may not be able to change the world on your own, but you can certainly make an impact by adding to the collective good. Take small steps like installing a programmable thermostat or recycling, but also consider taking some of these bigger steps to make a greater impact. It may require a bit of an investment or an adjustment in your routine, but you’ll find that you adapt quickly and that the long-term benefits are well worth the effort. You’ll also be contributing to a better world for your children and grandchildren.