We all know we need to do our part to stop the climate crisis but carrying your own reusable water bottle and using your own cloth shopping bags won’t cut it. Every one of us needs to increase our efforts. Fortunately, it’s easier than most people think and, in the case of climate change, it really does begin at home. Here are some simple things you can do to fight climate change from home:
Choose energy-saving appliances when you purchase new ones.
Cut your shower time down to reduce water consumption.
Stop watering your lawn. We need to let go of ego-related stuff like having a perfect green lawn and choose more important things like saving the planet.
Add insulation to your attic to help reduce your energy consumption (and heating bills).
Draft-proof your house by sealing up any areas where heat or cold can leak out. You’ll make your home cozier and cut your heating or cooling bills while you’re at it.
Rather than grow ornamental plants, grow your own food. Not only does it taste better, it has more nutrition and significantly cuts the amount your food travels to get to you, reducing climate-changing emissions in the process. Plus, it’s just fun. Learn more about growing your own food at FoodHouseProject.com.
Only use an air conditioner if you are struggling from the heat. Instead, close curtains or blinds during the hottest, sunniest times of the day to prevent excessive heating of your home. Also, open windows and use a fan to help push hot air out when the outside temperature is lower than indoors.
Choose an energy-saving furnace when you need to replace yours.
Use an electronic home thermostat and program to reduce heating while you’re out or asleep.
Add an extra blanket to your bed in the winter months and turn the heat down a bit more.
Alternatively, remove blankets from your bed in the summer months and turn off the air conditioning.
Unplug appliances like blenders, food processors, toasters, etc. when you’re not using them. They draw “ghost power” when they are plugged in, even when you’re not using them.
Make your garden drought-resistant so you’ll use less water and may even get enough rain water to keep it growing.
Start using rain barrels and direct rainwater from your roof and eavestrough into them. Use the water to water any gardens.
Add weather-stripping around doors to prevent heat or cold losses and excessive energy use.
Add solar panels to your home as soon as possible. The energy savings will help to offset the initial outlay and you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping to save the planet. Solar has significantly come down in price so it is probably cheaper than you think, and some companies or governments have payment options or incentive programs to help.
Remove debris from around your home if you live in an area prone to wildfires.
Choose recycled or eco-friendly building materials when renovating or repairing your home.
Use a low-flow shower faucet and add them to your kitchen and bathroom faucets as well to reduce your water usage.
Replace incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs with LED.
Purchase rechargeable batteries rather than throw-away ones that contribute to toxic materials in landfills.
Reduce your use of single-use household items in favor of reusable ones.
Choose glass or metal food storage containers, rather than plastic. It’s a healthier option too since chemicals leach out of plastic into food. Many are hormone disruptors or cause cancer.
Start composting food scraps. It’s easier than you think.
Turn lights off when you’re not in rooms.
Buy less packaged food. Cook more homemade meals. Your body and your taste buds will thank you too.
Cook larger batches of food so you’ll have leftovers. Not only will it make your workload easier, you’ll save money by eating fewer packaged items or fast food items, and you’ll use less energy.
Start an indoor garden. They’re a joy to create and to harvest food from, and beautiful to look at, particularly on cold or rainy days when it is dreary outside but lush and green indoors. There are many options. Learn more at FoodHouseProject.com.
Eat more plant-based meals. Even if you’re not ready to go totally vegan, you can significantly help reduce your contribution to climate change by having Meatless Mondays and expanding your plant-based meals to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and eventually everyday.
Switch to non-toxic cleaning products. Most of the cleaning products in grocery stores, even many of the so-called “green” options are loaded with toxic chemicals that are harmful to you and the planet.
When you leave home, get organized so you can make fewer trips and reduce the amount you’ll need to drive.
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Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM shares her food growing, cooking, preserving, and other food self-sufficiency adventures at FoodHouseProject.com. She is the publisher of the free e-newsletter World’s Healthiest News and an international best-selling and 20-time published book author whose works include: The Cultured Cook: Delicious Fermented Foods with Probiotics to Knock Out Inflammation, Boost Gut Health, Lose Weight & Extend Your Life. Follow her work.
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