What If I Don't Own Land? Small Lifestyle Changes for Conservation
You have read this far in my campaign blog, and you are thinking "This is great. Climate change is a real crisis and I never really liked plain old lawns anyway, but the problem for me is that I don't have a lawn, or land, or any outdoor space." But you still want to know what you can do to help the environment. Great news! This post is specifically for you. Millions of people in the United States live in rented spaces like apartment complexes, duplexes, or rental houses. Every renting situation can be different in what is provided and what changes a renter is allowed to make. So here I have made several lists of lifestyle changes a single person can make that ultimately will have an impact of any degree on the planet.
Super easy, barely any effort lifestyle changes:
1. Turn off lights. Whenever you leave a room, pause for a millisecond, and switch the lights off. This saves electricity, saving you money and the planet energy.
2. Unplug devices and cords. While you are turning off the lights, lean down and pull the plug on any devices, appliances, or cords that will not be in use. Make this a habit especially when you leave for periods of time for travelling.
3. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. Wet your toothbrush, turn off the facet, and when you are ready to rise turn it back on. This will save clean water from being wasted in the two minutes you are brushing.
4. Pick up trash on your way. While walking down the street to wherever you need to be, if you see a piece of trash (especially plastic), pick it up and place it in the next trash can you come across.
5. Pay your bills online. Set up to receive automated statements and make payments online for your bills and subscriptions. This saves you from losing your statement and forgetting to pay. It will reduce your impact on landfills from all the paper and plastic involved in mailed statements and bills.
6. Use a reusable water bottle/thermos. Refilling one container with your morning coffee or your afternoon hydration will save you money and greatly reduce your role in single-use plastic pollution.
7. Drink straight from the glass. Instead of sipping out of plastic, simply use the rim of the glass. This reduces your role in single-use plastic straws taking up space in landfills or oceans. If straws are an accessibility tool for you, consider using metal, reusable silicone, paper, or pasta straws.
8. Use reusable K-cup containers. If you do not want to use single-use coffee pods anymore but you do not have the means or want to switch your coffee machine, reusable pods are easily available. They are probably sold in the same aisle as the single-use pods!
9. Buy less. Consumerism is a huge problem in the United States, not only because of people spending money they do not have, but also the incredible amount of product that is cycled through factories, stores, homes, and then to landfills. Before you add that very last thing that you glimpsed on your way out into your cart, consider if it is worth it in your life, to your happiness and health, and to the planet.
10. Buy the second option. If you still want the product but have noticed after second thought that it is packaged in a lot of unnecessary plastic, look around the shelf for an alternative. Often you will find the same product with less plastic packaging, alternative packaging, or nothing but the scanning code. Usually, they are the same or similarly priced.
11. Shop and carry with reusable bags. Everyone has been given a tote bag as a free item at a booth, conference, or other event. Dig those out of your closet and take them with you the next time you need groceries. If you tend to forget them, keep them in your car so they are always available.
12. Wash on cold. Washing your clothing and even dishes with cold or lukewarm water will save energy.
13. Air dry. Air drying your clothing will save even more energy, and if you pay for laundry, it will also save you money.
Lifestyle changes that require a little effort:
1. Freeze your food scraps. Instead of throwing away the ends or peelings of vegetables, save them in your freezer for broth to use in soups, stews, and other dishes. If you have and fruit that is about to overripen, freeze it to suspend the process and use in smoothies. This is especially helpful with bananas and spinach.
2. Recycle your waste. Clean out your empty containers and sort into personal recycling before handing off to your local recycling center.
3. Eco-brick your plastic. For plastic that cannot be recycled, use the eco-bricking method.
4. Drive less. Unfortunately, the United States has strayed away from completely walkable cities, focusing instead on roads and parking areas efficient for drivers, not pedestrians. But if you are able and willing it is surprising how far you can get on your own two feet, or a bike, or by carpooling. This will save oil, a precious natural resource and will also reduce the number of toxic gases released from your vehicle into the air.
5. Eat less meat. Eating meatless for one day a week will save the environment water and other resources, while also saving you money and others time and services.
6. Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. For this option you need to do some research on what is seasonal in your area. It is easier for farmers, shipping, stores, and the environment to provide produce that is in season.
7. Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk will require you to figure out how often, how much, and when you use products, but overall, it will save packaging and time, and reduce how often you drive to a store. It can also save you money and reduce unnecessary purchases.
8. Buy local. Buying local for just about anything will reduce your impact on the planet mainly through shipping and packaging, but it will also help local and small businesses in your area and ensure your local economy is stable.
9. Mend your clothing. Clothing with a few rips, tears, or holes still has the ability for longevity if you pick up a needle and thread. This saves space in landfills. If your item of clothing is really past repair, reuse it as a washcloth or stuffing for a project.
10. Thrift your "new" clothing. Fast fashion is a major issue as it encourages overconsumption, unnecessary spending, and fills up SO MUCH SPACE in landfills. Thrift stores are a wonderful place to find unique pieces of clothing at reasonable prices. All it takes is a little more time, and maybe some altering and mending.
11. Use long-lasting light bulbs. The next time a light bulb burns out in your lamp or overhead light replace it with a long lasting, energy efficient bulb.
12. Use rechargeable batteries. The next time you need more AA batteries for the remote, controller, or toy car replace them with the rechargeable version. The only thing you have to remember is the place them on the charger when they die, before the next time you need them!
13. Replace your containers. As you run out of plastic sandwich bags and break or lose the lids of plastic containers, replace them with reusable bags and glass containers.
14. Replace your plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Beeswax wrap is a great alternative for wrapping food, all it requires is a little maintenance.
15. Clean with non-toxic products. It is amazing the number of things you can clean with bleach, vinegar, and baking soda. Laundry bars and powder also work really well with less filler ingredients and fragrances.
16. Use cloth towels. Ditch the paper towels for reusable cloth napkins and towels.
17. Borrow your books from the library. Library cards are free and provide resources for much more than just books. If you are unsure that you will like a book or want to read or use if more than once, borrow the book from the library the first time you read it. This also means you are supporting libraries, which are so important for society!
Lifestyle changes that require more effort and intention:
1. Volunteer. Give your free time to environmental groups, community gardens, anywhere that you have a connection with. Changing the culture and standards in the United States can also impact the environment. Do not forget that everything is connected.
2. Insulate your windows. This can be done in a few different ways. The main purpose of insulating windows is that it saves heat from escaping your home, saving energy and money along the way.
3. Use your air conditioning unit less. When it is hot in the summer all anyone ever wants to do is crank the air conditioning. This is a fantastic way to spike your electricity bill and puts stress on the planet. Try putting down your blinds during the day and opening your windows at night to let cool air in.
4. Program your thermostat. If your thermostat has the ability, schedule it to turn down the heat when you are out of the house, and at night when you are usually under the covers. This will save you a lot of money and the world a lot of energy.
5. Vote and campaign. Pay attention to the politicians and policies that will impact decisions about the environment and natural resources. Campaign for the politicians and policies that will support environmental efforts. Do not forget to vote as often as you can!
6. Use tree-free toilet paper. Buy bamboo toilet paper, which grows MUCH faster than regular trees, and save a forest every time you flush.
7. Invest in sustainability. Some investment opportunities support sustainable efforts. Do your research and see if you can work towards your retirement goal while protecting the environment.
Super easy, barely any effort lifestyle changes:
1. Turn off lights. Whenever you leave a room, pause for a millisecond, and switch the lights off. This saves electricity, saving you money and the planet energy.
2. Unplug devices and cords. While you are turning off the lights, lean down and pull the plug on any devices, appliances, or cords that will not be in use. Make this a habit especially when you leave for periods of time for travelling.
3. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. Wet your toothbrush, turn off the facet, and when you are ready to rise turn it back on. This will save clean water from being wasted in the two minutes you are brushing.
4. Pick up trash on your way. While walking down the street to wherever you need to be, if you see a piece of trash (especially plastic), pick it up and place it in the next trash can you come across.
5. Pay your bills online. Set up to receive automated statements and make payments online for your bills and subscriptions. This saves you from losing your statement and forgetting to pay. It will reduce your impact on landfills from all the paper and plastic involved in mailed statements and bills.
6. Use a reusable water bottle/thermos. Refilling one container with your morning coffee or your afternoon hydration will save you money and greatly reduce your role in single-use plastic pollution.
7. Drink straight from the glass. Instead of sipping out of plastic, simply use the rim of the glass. This reduces your role in single-use plastic straws taking up space in landfills or oceans. If straws are an accessibility tool for you, consider using metal, reusable silicone, paper, or pasta straws.
8. Use reusable K-cup containers. If you do not want to use single-use coffee pods anymore but you do not have the means or want to switch your coffee machine, reusable pods are easily available. They are probably sold in the same aisle as the single-use pods!
9. Buy less. Consumerism is a huge problem in the United States, not only because of people spending money they do not have, but also the incredible amount of product that is cycled through factories, stores, homes, and then to landfills. Before you add that very last thing that you glimpsed on your way out into your cart, consider if it is worth it in your life, to your happiness and health, and to the planet.
10. Buy the second option. If you still want the product but have noticed after second thought that it is packaged in a lot of unnecessary plastic, look around the shelf for an alternative. Often you will find the same product with less plastic packaging, alternative packaging, or nothing but the scanning code. Usually, they are the same or similarly priced.
11. Shop and carry with reusable bags. Everyone has been given a tote bag as a free item at a booth, conference, or other event. Dig those out of your closet and take them with you the next time you need groceries. If you tend to forget them, keep them in your car so they are always available.
12. Wash on cold. Washing your clothing and even dishes with cold or lukewarm water will save energy.
13. Air dry. Air drying your clothing will save even more energy, and if you pay for laundry, it will also save you money.
Lifestyle changes that require a little effort:
1. Freeze your food scraps. Instead of throwing away the ends or peelings of vegetables, save them in your freezer for broth to use in soups, stews, and other dishes. If you have and fruit that is about to overripen, freeze it to suspend the process and use in smoothies. This is especially helpful with bananas and spinach.
2. Recycle your waste. Clean out your empty containers and sort into personal recycling before handing off to your local recycling center.
3. Eco-brick your plastic. For plastic that cannot be recycled, use the eco-bricking method.
4. Drive less. Unfortunately, the United States has strayed away from completely walkable cities, focusing instead on roads and parking areas efficient for drivers, not pedestrians. But if you are able and willing it is surprising how far you can get on your own two feet, or a bike, or by carpooling. This will save oil, a precious natural resource and will also reduce the number of toxic gases released from your vehicle into the air.
5. Eat less meat. Eating meatless for one day a week will save the environment water and other resources, while also saving you money and others time and services.
6. Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. For this option you need to do some research on what is seasonal in your area. It is easier for farmers, shipping, stores, and the environment to provide produce that is in season.
7. Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk will require you to figure out how often, how much, and when you use products, but overall, it will save packaging and time, and reduce how often you drive to a store. It can also save you money and reduce unnecessary purchases.
8. Buy local. Buying local for just about anything will reduce your impact on the planet mainly through shipping and packaging, but it will also help local and small businesses in your area and ensure your local economy is stable.
9. Mend your clothing. Clothing with a few rips, tears, or holes still has the ability for longevity if you pick up a needle and thread. This saves space in landfills. If your item of clothing is really past repair, reuse it as a washcloth or stuffing for a project.
10. Thrift your "new" clothing. Fast fashion is a major issue as it encourages overconsumption, unnecessary spending, and fills up SO MUCH SPACE in landfills. Thrift stores are a wonderful place to find unique pieces of clothing at reasonable prices. All it takes is a little more time, and maybe some altering and mending.
11. Use long-lasting light bulbs. The next time a light bulb burns out in your lamp or overhead light replace it with a long lasting, energy efficient bulb.
12. Use rechargeable batteries. The next time you need more AA batteries for the remote, controller, or toy car replace them with the rechargeable version. The only thing you have to remember is the place them on the charger when they die, before the next time you need them!
13. Replace your containers. As you run out of plastic sandwich bags and break or lose the lids of plastic containers, replace them with reusable bags and glass containers.
14. Replace your plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Beeswax wrap is a great alternative for wrapping food, all it requires is a little maintenance.
15. Clean with non-toxic products. It is amazing the number of things you can clean with bleach, vinegar, and baking soda. Laundry bars and powder also work really well with less filler ingredients and fragrances.
16. Use cloth towels. Ditch the paper towels for reusable cloth napkins and towels.
17. Borrow your books from the library. Library cards are free and provide resources for much more than just books. If you are unsure that you will like a book or want to read or use if more than once, borrow the book from the library the first time you read it. This also means you are supporting libraries, which are so important for society!
Lifestyle changes that require more effort and intention:
1. Volunteer. Give your free time to environmental groups, community gardens, anywhere that you have a connection with. Changing the culture and standards in the United States can also impact the environment. Do not forget that everything is connected.
2. Insulate your windows. This can be done in a few different ways. The main purpose of insulating windows is that it saves heat from escaping your home, saving energy and money along the way.
3. Use your air conditioning unit less. When it is hot in the summer all anyone ever wants to do is crank the air conditioning. This is a fantastic way to spike your electricity bill and puts stress on the planet. Try putting down your blinds during the day and opening your windows at night to let cool air in.
4. Program your thermostat. If your thermostat has the ability, schedule it to turn down the heat when you are out of the house, and at night when you are usually under the covers. This will save you a lot of money and the world a lot of energy.
5. Vote and campaign. Pay attention to the politicians and policies that will impact decisions about the environment and natural resources. Campaign for the politicians and policies that will support environmental efforts. Do not forget to vote as often as you can!
6. Use tree-free toilet paper. Buy bamboo toilet paper, which grows MUCH faster than regular trees, and save a forest every time you flush.
7. Invest in sustainability. Some investment opportunities support sustainable efforts. Do your research and see if you can work towards your retirement goal while protecting the environment.
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