Let’s face it, we aren’t taking care of our planet, and it’s not doing so well. Global warming is a thing, and there’s no use in denying it. You may be thinking that you can’t make a difference, but together, we can. I’m not asking you to install solar panels on your roof, or buy a Tesla. That’s a lot, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t have that kind of money. So how can we make a difference without having to spend thousands or millions of dollars on eco-friendly technologies? These 22 points will help decrease your negative impact on the environment more than you know. All totally do-able, all totally easy.
1. Use a hand dryer and stop using paper towel! Generally, hand dryers are the more ecological choice as they cause between 9 and 40 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per use compared to the average of 56 grams of carbon dioxide emissions for paper towel.
2. Use a reusable water bottle. 1 reusable water prevents the use of 3000 plastic water bottles. You’re generating a lot of waste by drinking out of plastic/paper cups. Get yourself a pretty mug/travel mug and bring reusable mugs to coffee shops as well!
3. Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. Barney the Dinosaur taught you to never let the water run.
4. Stop buying styrofoam. Styrofoam doesn’t biodegrade and will last forever.
5. Stop buying products that contain microbeads/throw out what you already have. Microbeads are so small, they’re contaminating our water and our planet… Microbeads are banned in the United States now, #ThanksObama.
6. Recycle. You’ve been learning about this all your life, so commit to it once and for all.
7. Compost. Feed our planet with your food scraps, #CiricleofLife.
8. Turn off the water when you’re lathering in the shower. It’ll be annoying at first, but you’ll get used to it.
9. Use reusable utensils. Making plastic is killing our planet, here’s a chance to use your favorite reusable Disney cutlery and show the corporations who’s really in charge.
10. Use cloth napkins. You’ll save our trees, ‘nuff said.
11. Buy local. Buying local means that your food isn’t traveling across the world to get to you. The closer to home, the fresher too!
12.#MeatlessMonday! If everyone went vegetarian for one day, the U.S would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1.2 million tons of CO2. 
13. If you’re ordering a fancy drink, ask for it with no ‘stuff’ in it. Let’s be honest…You don’t need that little umbrella or that fancy straw.
14. Stop using plastic bags when you go grocery shopping. Bring a reusable mesh bag with you when you go out.
15. Skip the Drive-Thru. Car idling is no good.
16. Use Mason Jars to store food/drinks. Or recycle them, but they’re awesome and trendy so you can totally reuse them.
17. Unplug appliances you’re not using. Ghost Power is a thing. Even though your electronics are turned off, they’re still drawing in power. Your cell phone chargers too!
18. Carpool. This one is pretty obvious. Less cars on the road means less harmful emissions and less traffic!
19. Walk or Bike instead of driving to nearby places. Get a bit of a workout in because it’s never too early to start working on your summer bod.
20. Switch traditional bulbs for fluorescent bulbs. They will reduce your energy use by 10%.
21. Turn off your lights when you exit rooms. This is a no brainer.
22. Switch to e-statements and e-bills. Who needs all that extra paper when you can have everything online.
These are simple lifestyle changes that you can make to help save our planet. These are small steps we can all take towards a happier and greener Earth. Being green is ~*cool*~. Try these out, see how they work for you and let me know what you think in the comments below.
Featured image via Stacy on Pexels
