As one of 7 billion people on the planet, it can feel like what you do won’t make a difference when it comes to eco measures to make the world a cleaner, greener place. However, for your children and the people of the future, you have a responsibility to do your bit to save the planet because we don’t have another one. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Recycle your old phone (and everything)
We all have at least one old Nokia kicking about a drawer. One million recycled phones could provide 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium. Think about what is going in your bin. Everything you don’t recycle genuinely goes into a hole in the ground, so if there’s a way to reuse it (blue bins, compost, battery recycling point) then do it.
Cut your waste
Stop wasting food. Stop it. Look at the dates on your food items when you buy them. Most produce except meat is actually totally fine after it’s ‘best before’ date, that’s just a guideline. Any food with ‘use before’ should be taken seriously – so use it! Don’t chuck it.
Eat less meat
With more people on the planet than ever before, factory farms are churning out an incredible amount of meat and animal life is simply a business. The conditions of factory farms are atrocious and no animal should be pumped full of chemicals to increase its body mass so much that its legs break. Reducing your meat intake will decrease demand for these farms. Meat-free Mondays are a great idea – ditch your traditional burger and whip up a veg-packed pasta dish instead.
Don’t use face wash with exfoliating pellets
Some exfoliating face washes use small plastic pellets to help knock the dead skin off your face and unblock pores – which means they don’t decompose like natural alternatives might. When it washes down your plughole and goes off to see, some of our friends in the animal kingdom will encounter them. But – newsflash – fish don’t like eating them. Birds don’t like eating them either. You wouldn’t want them in your dinner, so find another way to clean your face.
Cycle
Slowly but surely British cities are becoming more friendly to cyclists. It can seem a daunting task getting on the road with motorists but you were taught your cycling proficiency test in primary school for a reason. So dig that old bike out the garage and make your journey to school or uni a healthy, pollution-free one.
Consider working renewable energy sectors
If you feel strongly about making a difference, there are loads of areas of study which are needed to address climate change. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics make hugely positive contributions towards the development on innovative technologies. The fact that humans have already learned how to use natural sources (wind, wave and solar energy) to replace fossil fuels means the foundation is being laid to create carbon neutral nations. You can be part of that and together we can work for a happier, healthier and more sustainable planet.
