Global warming and climate change are real and happening. There is no way to deny that. According to Nasa it is indisputable that human activities have influenced the climate, land, and atmosphere. These changes have been rapid and widespread. The result of this is what we see happening today – strange weather patterns, hotter summers, colder winters, raging fires, unpredictable floods and more.
Every little bit helps to make a difference in the environment and reverse the damage done to the planet over the years. Although we might think our small actions won’t make a difference it adds up.
Here are five things you can do to be more environmentally-friendly.
Buy seasonal produce
In-season produce and vegetables taste better and are fresher. It is also better for the environment to shop in this way, says Norman Heath, Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront.
In-season fresh produce can be grown locally and is not required to be imported from other countries. Importing fruits and vegetables uses massive amounts of fuel and energy – the cost of which is often passed on to the consumer.
According to Heath, shopping in-season will not only save the environment, but also save you a lot of cash.
He said, “Every season we refresh the menu not only in order to keep it fresh but also to ensure that we use in-season fresh ingredients for almost everything we offer.”
Go solar
Eskom is predicting at least 100 days load shedding over the next six months. It is important to introduce solar energy as an alternative source of power. Matthew Cruise, Hohm Energy’s lead campaign manager, states that you can start with a battery and add solar panels later or with solar panels alone. I recommend looking into the many options available to consumers in order for them to become a net zero carbon emitter. Few consumers know about the possibilities of having a solar installation on your home financed through your bond, or a rent-to-own model.”
You can store solar energy to be used during peak periods of electricity shortages. This will help reduce demand on the power grid, and also reduce the need to load shed.
Shop sustainably
Reduce the amount of stuff you use and then throw away to contribute to environmental sustainability. It is easier to get a subscription and enjoy the product while it is still in use, rather than buying something that will eventually go away.
According to Jonathan Hurvitz CEO of Teljoy, the paradigm shift in consumer behavior is occurring as the value associated with ownership is diminishing. People want a model that is more flexible and responsive to their needs. This concept of a shared economy is good for the environment as it reduces waste.
Hurvitz says that businesses have a responsibility for reducing their carbon footprint. This is why Teljoy has partnered with Interwaste in order to ensure that all ewaste is disposed off in a responsible, eco-friendly manner.
Be part of the solution.ecome a tree champion
There is no one-size-fits all approach to climate change. Linda Saunders, Head, Solution Engineering, Salesforce South Africa, says that there are many activities that produce carbon from fossil fuel-based sources and other initiatives that maintain and improve carbon sinks that remove carbon from the atmosphere. Forests are the best tool we have to reverse the effects of land-use and deforestation. Trees are an integral part of conserving biodiversity, preserving the air, preventing soil erosion, purifying the water, and improving the beauty and grace of our homes and communities.
All of us can make a difference if we all incorporate sustainability into our actions. She adds that we can all work together to mobilize millions more tree champions and encourage governments to stop further deforestation.
Get help from local suppliers
This might seem like an odd one, but think about it – isnt it better to use suppliers and tradespeople who dont have to travel long distances? This is more efficient and uses less fuel. You can find local services in your area by looking in the local newspaper or on Facebook. SweepSouth Outdoor and SweepSouth are also options. The app will find someone nearby and they won’t need to travel far to reach your home. Alen Ribic, co-founder of SweepSouth suggests that you ensure that the products they use in your home are environmentally friendly when you book a SweepStar.
All of us have a responsibility to protect the environment. Our everyday actions can make a difference if we work together on a global level. The Dalai Lama says, “It’s our collective and individual responsibility preserve and tend the environment in the which we all live.”