I know, I know. You already recycle and avoid straws, and still, saving the world sounds like a whole lotta pressure! I mean, we’ve all got a lot of other stuff to worry about — like building our careers and figuring out which restaurant to book tonight. But still, as caring people we def want to help. We just don’t want it to use up too much of our already tight schedule. Is that really too much to ask??
For those of us who are (currently) too busy to carve out volunteer-time, here are 5 effective ways to help save the planet, and give the next generation a better future:
GET CLEAN
US electrical power is largely generated by fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas — all terrible polluters and big contributors to climate change). Thankfully, most people have the option of switching from dirty energy to clean, renewable sources. It’s easy! Just check out Arcadia Power. We used them to switch from dirty to clean energy and with 5 minutes of effort it dramatically reduced our carbon footprint while keeping our bills roughly the same.
FREE MONEY!
Ok, I thought that’d get your attention. I’ll tell you how to get free coin, but it’s not for you to spend on another pair of pumps. It’s for you to donate. Here’s how it works: Sign up for a free hybrid checking/savings account at Radius Bank, and start earning interest on the money in your bank account. Unlike most other banks, which slowly drain your accounts via this-and-that fees, Radius puts money into your account by paying you 17x the national interest rate on checking accounts. At the end of the year, you can see how much interest you’ve earned and donate that amount to a charity aimed at helping save the planet.
MAKE A QUICK PHONE CALL (OR THREE)
One of the most effective ways to create change is to call politicians. They assume that for every phone call they receive, there are hundreds of their constituents who feel the same way but didn’t take the time to call. They know that getting re-elected means that they need to listen to what people like you want. Call and tell them!
Bringing change to environmental policies may require regulation combined with proper enforcement, or economic incentives like rewarding companies that focus on sustainability and organic products, instead of giving taxpayer subsidies to high-polluting corporations in oil and factory-farmed agriculture. Either way, widespread support is essential to get these politicians to act.
THINK BEFORE YOU BUY
Do you really need that extra pair of black boots? Probably not. Would the veggie burger be a better option than the beef burger? Definitely. After all, eating one less burger a week is the same as taking your car off of the road for 320 miles, and skipping steak for a week is the equivalent of not driving for almost 3 months! Forgoing meat also saves all of the resources that go into maintaining livestock. The world’s cows eat enough to feed 9 billion people. Approximately, 70% of deforestation of the Amazon is to provide land for cattle ranches and producing an 8 oz steak requires 900 gallons of water.
The biggest intervention people could make towards reducing their carbon footprints would not be to abandon cars, but to eat significantly less meat and dairy.
Every purchase you make has a cost to the planet, animals, and other people (including your future children!) Making the responsible choice gets easier the more you do it. Here are 5 ways to make ethical fashion choices, and this is why what you eat matters to the future of this planet. And since the oceans will have no fish left in them by 2050 if we don’t start making more sustainable choices, bust out the Seafood Watch app before you order to get a handle on which are the most responsible choices.
SELL OR DONATE, DON’T TOSS
Way too much furniture, clothing and appliances are tossed out in favor of something new. That’s all stuff that could be repaired or could prevent someone else from buying something new. Not to mention, well, the landfills (ie. the ocean!)
When my husband and I decided to try life in Europe, we donated all our furniture to charity. It saved us a lot of time and gave us a nice tax write-off. When I clean out my closet, I give the stuff I don’t want to charity. It takes a little more effort, but not much, and it makes me feel good to know that it’ll have another life with someone else.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the most important thing to remember is that every choice you make has a direct impact on the planet and its inhabitants.
I need to print this article and put it on my desk, so I can read it once a week. I read great pieces like this and then after a few days, the great ideas leave my brain, never to be seen again. Particularly around finance, as it’s simple things like getting a higher interest rate that can make such a big difference 20-30 years from now. Hadn’t heard of Radius, so I’ll check them out and compare to others that are similar.
This article made me realize how little I have been paying attention to my finances. I checked and I’m getting much less than what Radius is paying. So much money WASTED! ? I need to look around and see who gives the best rates. I may be scared of investing, but at least this way I can make a bit more on the cash I have in savings. Thanks for the tip!!
I’ve been trying to eat a lot more oysters instead of regular fish like tuna or salmon. They’re super sustainable and very healthy. They’re also not that expensive if you buy them at the grocery store or at a local market. You can even fry them if you’re feeling indulgent, making a po boy or something like that. Highly recommend. Mussels and clams are a great alternative too!
The Radius Bank idea is really valuable for me. I tend to forget little things like this, which I know will add up to a lot over time. ? It’s so darn simple, yet it seems hard when I go to do it. I’ll check out their site, I just hope it’s as easy as you make it sound!
I’m glad you made mention of the fact that people are already operating on tight schedules. Particularly for those of us managing a family, it’s so hard to find the time for little things (like showering!), let alone the super important stuff like this. I wish I could operate without sleep or could be more efficient somehow. There just aren’t enough hours in a day. Ugh….
Can I just say how much I love the way you design these articles!? The images in particular. They are so unique and captivating, it makes reading your articles so fun and interesting. It makes the article feel more like a movie!
Thanks! It took a while to invent a really unique way to do them, but I feel happy with the result 🙂
I really like the idea of donating clothing/furniture. I’ve moved a few times, and I always felt guilty about how much stuff I had bought and ultimately disgarded. There should be more sites and services for this kind of thing. I think more people would do it if it was easier ?
I agree! I donate stuff pretty often and it would be great if there was a nationwide service to just come collect it all.
I went vegetarian a few years ago. I found it hard, so I came up with a formula that works for me. I don’t eat meat/dairy during the week, and then I’ll have some fish on weekends if I’m really craving it. I give myself a pass when I’m traveling or on vacation. I think everyone needs to create a plan that works for them, so it’s likely to be something you can stick with. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing 🙂
That’s a great idea! My hubby and I eat plant-based, but we also eat oysters and mussels, since they are sustainable and don’t feel pain. It allows us to eat at restaurants that don’t have vegan options. 🙂
It’s so frustrating to call politicians. Even though it’s so important, I really dread it. They make you feel so ? unimportant. I wish there was a magical way to bring the collective want/needs of the public into the consciousness of our leaders.
Doing something for the environment will protect the future for all of us. I’m honestly devastated that there are a lot of memories for me as a child that the future generations can no longer experience.