I agree that it is not a realistic goal for all families to abandon the suburban lifestyle for a less wasteful urban alternative. It is so ingrained in our American culture that it will take a long time to change this mentality. But you can reduce your carbon footprint without completely revolutionizing your lifestyle. The sort of thinking that it has to be all or nothing is harmful, because it leads people to do nothing at all. But it’s faulty. Every little bit does help. If you don’t want to live in the city or give up your car, what can you do to be more environmentally responsible? Here’s a few things (in order of increasing importance and difficulty):
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Use reusable grocery bags. This costs very little and is almost no effort at all. Yes, if you do reuse plastic grocery bags in waste baskets or other ways, that helps. But it’s better not to have them in the first place. Remember this is the order: reduce, reuse, recycle. Of course, if you have plastic bags you don’t use, recycling them is better than throwing them out.
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Use cold water for washing. There’s no need to waste energy heating water for laundry. Just wash it in cold.
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Use your own water bottle. Bottled water is wasteful and unnecessary. Yes, you can reuse or recycle the bottles, but reducing what you use is better, as aforementioned. Use a filter to fill them, if you don’t want to drink tap water.
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Only run a full dishwasher. Pack it as full as you can beforehand. Otherwise, it’s a waste of water.
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Collect rain water. It’s free and easy. You can buy a container (like this) for that purpose or use any bin. Then use that water for your lawn or other plants.
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Use compact fluorescents or better yet LED lights. They last so much longer, it just makes sense.
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Eat less beef. I’m vegetarian for largely personal reasons. Since I can’t imagine killing a cow or chicken, I think it’s hypocritical for me to eat one. But the meat industry, particularly the beef industry, in this country also has a huge carbon footprint. You don’t need to become vegan, just eat meat, particularly beef, a little less. Try to eat more chicken (cage-free organic if possible). Try making a vegetarian meal once or twice a week. A few healthy, easy-to-make vegetarian recipes that my meat-eating friends enjoy are zucchini lentil casserole and summer pasta. Vegetarian meals can again be healthier for you and the environment, plus are often less expensive.
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Buy recycled paper products. While you might want to skip the toilet paper made from recycled paper products, you can purchase disposable napkins and paper towels made from 100% recycled materials. And while you’re at it, maybe reach for a dish towel instead of a paper towel when possible.
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Buy from environmentally responsible companies.They may be a bit more expensive, but companies like Toms of Maine, Seventh Generation, and Stoneyfield Farms have more sustainable environmental practices and buying from them will help reduce your environmental impact. You can read more about which companies to buy from at better world shopping guide or EWG’s Skin Deep.
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Start Composting. You love your backyard? Give it some help. You can compost almost any leftovers other than dairy or meat (which make it smell bad and attract animals). Just get a good indoor container for it (like this) and a good outdoor container for it. Then bury it and mix it into the soil every so often.
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Switch to a push lawn mower. I realize this might be tough if you have a ginormous lawn, but most lawn mowers are very polluting. Push lawn mowers are cheaper and offer the added benefit of giving you a better workout!
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Better yet, ditch the lawn. If you live in an area where water is an issue, this is a no-brainer. In those areas, zero-scaping not only saves resources but can look very attractive. If you live in an area with abundant water (and not under the tyranny of an HOA), you can still choose to swap a traditional lawn for a low-maintenance ground cover like thyme. It’s still great to walk on and pretty to look at, but doesn’t require the same amount of upkeep and resources. Or devote a portion to a nice vegetable garden.
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Walk when you can. If you need to go somewhere within walking distance, walk. At least sometimes. Better for the environment and better for your own health. You might even find you like it.
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Car pool. You might need a car to get to most places, but don’t you know other people going to those same places? So many cars on the road have only one passenger. It might be slightly less convenient, but why not take turns driving with others who live close by? Save on gas and money.
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Make a short commute a priority. Driving an hour or two to work everyday really is environmentally irresponsible. Try to either live somewhere with ample job opportunities or with public transportation to job opportunities close by. Or rent and move if you need to. With house prices declining in many parts of the country, owning is not always the best option.
The cock-eyed optimist in me believes that if we all make an effort, we can prevent a complete environmental disaster from occurring. Or at least, have some form of dystopian post-apocalyptic life when it does.