Want a greener planet? You have to take action. You could help the planet counterbalance the negative forces that are crumbling our ecosystem by changing your lifestyle and living a greener life.

Are you worried about climatic changes, the greenhouse effect, and pollution? Living a greener life could help tackle many of these global issues. Living a greener life means changing your lifestyle so that you are not negatively impacting the globe, nor wasting any of the earth’s natural resources, and you are also making efforts to reduce your carbon footprint on the environment.

You could transform your life into a greener life simply by making some eco-friendly choices in your everyday life. The idea is not that difficult because “green” has already become the mainstream of many businesses, and so, making a green choice in our everyday life today has become so much easier.

11 things you can do to make this planet greener

Here are 11 really simple things you can do every day in your life, to conserve and preserve the earth’s resources and reduce waste, pollution, and environmental degradation that damage the globe. These green habits are easy to adopt and would help preserve the ecosystem.

1. Recycle

Each year, more than 2 billion books, 350 million magazines, and 24 billion newspapers are published (Frequent Questions | Paper Recycling | US EPA). Recycle paper and plastic. Change all your bills to electronic bills and avoid all paper-based media, magazines, newspapers, books. Buy and read eBooks, and web-based magazines, as much as possible.

2. Carpool or drive efficient cars

Our automobiles use too much fuel. If we all drive less, it would easily reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and our energy reserves would last longer. So, share your vehicle, or ride smaller, energy-efficient cars. Electric cars could be a great answer for short-distance commutes. Also, make sure your vehicle is at peak condition at all times, the tires are in good shape, properly inflated and there are no oil or gas leaks. Keeping your vehicle in good condition would reduce fuel wastage.

3. Use public transport

Ride a bus or the train to work whenever possible. It would not only reduce the number of vehicles on the road but also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the air.

4. Walk, jog, and ride your bicycle

Walk, jog, or ride your bike more often. Don’t drive short distances, such as your neighbor’s house, or your local grocery store that’s just around the corner. Instead, ride your bike or walk short distances as much as possible. It’s a healthy eco-friendly alternative to cars.

5. Think local

Buy from your local merchants and farmers, it would cut down on fuel that is wasted in transportation, processing, and packaging of products. It would also help the local economy to grow. Avoid canned, processed, excessive packaging, or imported food.

6. Use less energy

Turn off lights whenever you leave the room, unplug and switch off all electronics when not in use,  replace all old gadgets, appliances, and light bulbs with energy-saving alternatives.

7. Use better insulation

Check for breaks, holes, or weak insulation around your house. Seal all places where you may be losing heat during the winter and cool air during the summer. Seal around the windows and doors, and replace all your old windows with energy-efficient ones.

8. Change appliances

Replace all old appliances with their energy-saving alternatives. Check for the energy star rating on your new appliances. They will not only save energy but also your electric bills. This little investment would pay off in the long run.

9. Upgrade your thermostat

Get the latest programmable and energy-saving thermostat systems to keep your indoor temperature constant. Some of the smart thermostats will adjust to the outdoor climate and constantly change the energy settings to save you money and energy.

10. Pack your lunch & water bottle

Bring your lunch from home. It gives you a chance to use your leftover food from dinner, saves you a trip to the fast-food restaurant, and it would also save you money. Carry your own water bottle and reuse it instead of buying plastic bottles at the store every time you need a drink.

11. Bring your own bag to the grocery

Bring your own bags to the grocery. And if you forget to bring your own bag, use paper bags, made from recycled paper, instead of plastic bags.

Start following these tips, print it out and keep it with you to see what you are doing every day for a greener planet. Do you have more ideas that could be added to this list? Please feel free to add your own ideas in the comment box below. Please let us know your thoughts on this article.

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Source: Environmental Professionals Network

Related articles and resources:

• 70 Ways to Save the Earth
• 11 ways to green your laundry : TreeHugger
• 99 Things YOU Can Do To Make The World A Greener Place to Be! | Body Enlightenment Blog: Inspiration and support for women daring to live a life they love.
• Top 5 Tips for Living a Greener Life | Environmental Professionals Network
• 5 Things you are doing to Damage the Planet | Environmental Professionals Network
• 10 Green Habits To Adopt For A Greener Environment | Environmental Professionals Network
• The Environmental Impacts of Using Paper | Environmental Professionals Network
• Electric Cars – Should You Buy One? | Environmental Professionals Network