Every day, our planet faces a variety of threats, including worsening pollution, the destruction of animal habitats, and global warming. Any one of these issues can feel much too large for anyone to tackle on our own, but the truth is that every single person has the power to make a real, impactful, and lasting difference through their own small actions and contributions to the fight for our planet’s health. Being environmentally responsible can also often be fiscally responsible; you don't always need to spend a lot of money to make a positive impact on the world. Sometimes, it’s more about what you don’t buy that can make a difference and, often, you'll find that eco-friendly actions can even save you money.
The Whole Family Can Take Part
Helping to protect our planet requires everyone to do their part, and you can start with your own team effort at home. The simplest way to get started is to make sure that you have and are regularly using recycling bins at home. Add a compost bin and you'll be able to keep more organic matter and food waste out of landfills as well. You might also have a family meeting to discuss the different ways in which you can all downsize and declutter your lives, then donate or sell what isn’t currently serving your family, so that someone else can get more use out of them, rather than throwing them away. You can also work on reducing the amount of resources your family consumes and being more thoughtful about the purchases that you make. Try planting a garden together: It's a fun family project, and the results will lower the carbon footprint of the food you eat and help you save money on groceries. Being more eco-friendly when you go on family outings can also make a difference. Rather than piling into the car for a road trip, you could visit a local park, go for a hike, or go on a family bike ride.
For Adults
As adults, we can also do plenty of things on our own to help the planet and to set a good example for those around us. For instance, you could volunteer for a roadside cleanup, help out at a local park, or set up a community recycling drive. You can also make environmentally conscious decisions in your everyday life. When you need to go somewhere, see if you can do it without using your car; walk, bike, or take public transportation instead. And when you go shopping, think about the environmental impact of what you buy. Shop for food at local farmers' markets, and buy products from companies that share in your commitment to sustainability.
For Kids
Kids, big and small, can do their part, too, to protect our planet. Teach children to take small, mindful actions every day to save our planet, like always turning off the lights when they leave an empty room and shutting off the water while they're brushing their teeth. Kids can also do a lot by getting the word out about the importance of taking care of our environment. They might be able to start or join a club at school that's focused on raising awareness of this cause and what kids can do to help. Kids can even write letters to their favorite companies and urge them to be more environmentally conscious.