How to Adopt a More Sustainable Lifestyle

Many people are interested in learning how they can support the environment and their own health by leading a more sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability is about using environmental, economic, and social resources in a way that ensures future generations can meet their needs.

To live a more sustainable lifestyle you may need to make changes to your diet, how you use energy resources, and your habits as a consumer. You can take action at home, work, or school to create a better future for yourself and the world.

For example, buying more sustainable footwear like suede sneakers for men is a great place to start. Footwear made from durable materials like suede lasts longer, meaning you won’t be filling up landfills with shoes every year. Every choice you make can be part of the solution instead of the problem.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Using your car to commute to work or school everyday is convenient, but it’s also a big contributor to carbon pollution. On average one passenger car emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gas emissions causing global warming. Find alternative forms of transportation so you can leave your car at home.

Reduce your carbon footprint by:

Biking
Using public transportation like buses or trains
Carpooling with others
Walking for close trips
Investing in an all-electric car

Green commuting helps reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Transportation accounts for 29% of all carbon emissions in the U.S., the current leading cause. Not only is it better for the environment, it can improve your health.

You can relax or get a head start on your work day when using public transportation instead of dealing with a stressful drive every morning. Biking and walking to work helps keep you physically active and be more fit, reducing your risk of heart disease.

Introduce Dietary Initiatives

Plant-based diets help reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by farm animals. Introducing meatless Monday lunch initiatives in the office is a fantastic way to make a difference with minimal effort.

It’s estimated that if the world switches to a plant-based lifestyle, we could cut greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by two-thirds. Eliminating beef from your diet for a year can reduce your carbon footprint by 882 lbs. while eating meat-free one day a week could mean Americans save 100 billion gallons of water per year.

By encouraging everyone in the office to eat a meat-free lunch once a week, you can create habits that have a significant and positive environmental impact.

Make Eco-Friendly Substitutions

Americans collectively consume around 400 million cups of coffee per day, resulting in 25 billion disposable coffee cups being thrown away each year. Use reusable cups and mugs at work instead of single-use styrofoam or plastics.

Consider using refillable cups to make coffee instead of one-use plastic pods that can’t be recycled. Refillable pods are better for the environment and more economical. One-use coffee pods pollute the environment by entering waterways and hurting wildlife as the plastic cups break down.

Suggesting company initiatives for waste reduction through recycling programs, supply changes, and reusable materials is a great way to inspire change at a local level. You can also talk to your office administrator about making the transition to energy-star rated computer monitors to reduce the amount of power your devices use daily.

Political Actions to Take

Some actions are political, like signing petitions or attending rallies to benefit the environment and sustainability practices. But political actions can also be subtle, like choosing where to shop.

Research what stores in your area offer more sustainable products or packaging. This includes looking for grocery stores with more plant-based offerings and sustainable growing practices and finding stores that offer more sustainable clothing and goods.

Shop at second-hand stores to help keep clothes out of landfills. Instead of participating in the fast-fashion trend that promotes consumption and waste, opt for classic clothing and footwear designs that never go out of style. Fill your wardrobe with sustainably made jeans, tops, and suede sneakers for women for a timeless look.

Other political actions you can take:

Donating to or voting for environmentally friendly political candidates
Participating in global campaigns like Fridays for Future
Joining local sustainability groups
Being active in environmental or sustainability issues on social media

Adopting Sustainable Practices

There are many ways you can make your lifestyle more sustainable both inside and outside of work. Becoming aware of what resources you use and how you use them is a step toward you and your company going green.

An understanding of the effects your choices have as a consumer is critical to creating change. When you assess the sustainability practices in your workplace, you can suggest substitutions or changes to business operations that can be adopted company-wide. When businesses get involved in environmental sustainability, small actions can have a big impact.

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