Green Habits Some simple changes for a greener tomorrow

1. Measure your carbon footprint regularly – Understanding your carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. By tracking your energy consumption, waste production, and transportation habits, you can identify areas where you can make eco-friendly changes. There are numerous online tools and apps that can help you calculate your footprint and set goals to reduce it. Everyone should set monthly goals to reduce their footprint by walking or cycling instead of driving and by reducing energy use at home. (Image source: Pinterest/ 5-Minute Crafts)

2. Choose energy-efficient appliances: Opt for appliances with a high energy efficiency rating to reduce electricity consumption. Also, everyone should learn to unplug appliances when not in use and switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs. This not only saves on electricity bills, but also reduces the demand for fossil fuels, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, reducing carbon footprint and electricity bills. (Image source: Pinterest/ Nostrodomus)

3. Support local and sustainable products: Whenever possible, buy locally produced products and support companies that prioritize sustainability. Incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet and choose locally sourced or organic products. Reducing meat consumption can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, as livestock production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, choosing products with minimal packaging or recyclable materials can further reduce your environmental impact. (Image source: Canva)

4. Reduce, reuse and recycle: Simple practices like fixing leaks, using water-saving fixtures and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save a significant amount of water. Carry a reusable water bottle and shopping bags, and refuse single-use plastics whenever possible. Specifically, when it comes to the plastic menace, it is alarming to note that one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, 500 billion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year, and 91% of plastic is not recycled. (Image source: Pinterest/ norliyana alia)

5. Plant trees: Trees give us life. They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, playing a vital role in the fight against climate change. The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day in June this year, urges people to plant a sapling as a tribute to their mothers. Planting a sapling is not enough; nurturing it till it grows into a tree is equally important. So let us plant a tree with full sincerity and feeling proud of the contribution to Mother Nature. With one tree, we reduce 10 kilograms, or 22 pounds, of carbon dioxide per year for the first 20 years. (Image source: Canva)

6. Consume or buy only what you need: Buy only what you need and avoid impulse purchases, especially non-essential ones. Careful meal planning can help reduce food waste, which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions – if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter. In fashion, choose quality over quantity, support sustainable brands, and consider secondhand options when available. Adopting a circular economy mindset by reusing, repurposing, and recycling items reduces waste, conserves resources, and promotes a sustainable lifestyle. (Image source: Pinterest/iBelieve.com)

7. Practice responsible waste disposal: Make a conscious effort to dispose of waste responsibly. Never throw waste out of the window, whether at home or from a moving vehicle. Separate waste at the source before handing it over to cleaning staff – start by separating wet, dry and plastic waste. Proper waste segregation is critical to recycling and reducing the burden on landfills, helping to minimise environmental pollution. (Image source: Canva)

Contributions from: Pallavee Dhaundiyal Panthry, Senior Communications Advisor, WOCE- World of Circular Economy (Image source: Canva)