Think you can’t protect the environment with your individual choices? We beg to differ.
On the contrary, there is so much more you can do to be the impact for the environment than you may think. Moreover, your actions can become part of the larger collective where valuable contributions to a more significant movement to reduce the human impact on the environment is possible.
From little things like reducing your plastic consumption and recycling to more essential things like adopting a plant-based diet, you can make many simple personal decisions to improve our environment.
Here are some eco-friendly practices to get you going. The more people implement these changes into our lives, the more significant the difference we can make. Let’s get started!
Carpool to work – Fewer vehicles equal reduced greenhouse emissions
Want to reduce your carbon footprint and ease traffic congestion? Organise a carpool with your colleagues, and you will at least eliminate one extra car during rush hour. Carpooling is also an effective way to reduce fuel consumption. And with the decrease in fuel usage, you are contributing to a cleaner, greener world by lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Use reusable face masks – Single-use alternatives add to the plastic pollution glut
As wearing a face mask has become the social norm, the eco-friendly option is reusable ones. There are many reasons to switch, primarily because they are better for the environment and do not add to littering problems. They are also more comfortable, offer better protection to the wearer, save money, and can be personalised to suit your style.
Only buy what you will use or need – It is the age of the conscientious consumer
A University of Arizona study in 2019 found that people who consume less are happier than those who engage in other pro-environmental consumer behaviours. Indeed, reducing your consumption is another commendable way to decrease your carbon footprint: buying less and better means less energy and natural resources in creating consumer goods like clothing and electronics.
Get sustainable cleaning products – They are non-toxic and non-corrosive
Switching to natural cleaning products helps protect the planet by limiting the dangerous chemicals you release into the environment. As conventional cleaning products often contain hazardous chemicals, the natural ingredients of green cleaning supplies don’t pose the same threats to the environment – and your health!
Also read: Habits For A Sustainable Tomorrow – 14 Practices You Can Start Today
Take public transportation – It is more viable than you think
Like carpooling, using buses and trains (especially those electrically powered) reduces carbon emissions, air pollution (which results in better air quality), and road congestion. While commuting can be inconvenient with overcrowding and the occasional breakdown, there is no denying the opportunity to read, catch up on your favourite entertainment, people-watch, or take a snooze!
Stop wasting food – 17% of global food production goes to waste
Wasted food is not just a social or humanitarian concern – it is environmental. According to the World Wildlife Fund, wasting food degenerates all the energy and water needed to grow, harvest, transport, and package it. And if food goes to the landfill and rots, it produces methane – a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon dioxide. So, you can start with a smaller food plate and only go for seconds if you are still hungry. You can also be creative with leftovers and only buy what you need for groceries.
Also read: Famous Vegetarians Who Inspire Us – Plant-Based Diets For A Sustainable Tomorrow
Engage in your community – Clean up your neighbourhood together
Look beyond your home and help those in your community green their lives, too. You do not have to be an “activist” to do some good for your neighbourhood. You don’t need to look far to make a difference when looking for ways to improve your neighbourhood environment. Small acts like planting a tree, picking up litter, and encouraging recycling go a long way to supporting your community and the health of our planet.
Get involved in environmental volunteering – Serious issues need your attention
Passionate about recycling, saving wildlife or clean water? Environmental volunteering might be right up your alley. All it takes is a single experience to change how you see our planet: your actions benefit the world and might even help save it. By getting involved, you also take one step towards a cleaner, healthier Earth and inspire others to do the same.
Call on community leaders – Demand action and get involved
According to the UN, “Young people are about to inherit an enormous responsibility for resolving many long-standing complex problems, including climate change. Therefore, they must have a say in shaping the policies that will have a lasting impact on humanity and the planet’s health.” You can help call on community leaders to act by attending community hearings, peaceful protests, educational talks, and volunteer days to make your voice heard.
It might take a few more minutes or joules of energy to adopt sustainable living habits, but isn’t Mother Earth worth the effort? Sustainability is not about convenience; it is about preserving ecological balance for the survival of humanity. Here are a few other conscious choices you can make to reduce your carbon footprint:
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Watch how Dato’ Sri Vijay Eswaran, the QI Group’s Founder and Executive Chairman, and Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran, Chairperson of QI’s social impact initiative RYTHM Foundation, lead by example and share tips on what they do to reduce waste and their carbon footprint in this video:
Be the Impact with the Next RYTHM Connect
On February 15, 2023, our social impact initiative, RYTHM Foundation, goes LIVE on Facebook for the fifth edition of #RYTHMConnect, the conversation series that discusses relevant social and community issues.
Join RYTHM’s Chairperson, Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran, in discussion with QNET leaders who have woven social impact work into their lives: AVP Shipra Neeraj of V Partner and Gavin Soon, Head of Platform IT, QI Group.
Don’t miss out on how you can embrace a life of service to others and actively give back to our communities in this insightful talk! RSVP here now.
