We’ve known it for years. Certain parts of the world are in turmoil. It turns out the planet might not be quite capable of providing for the lifestyles the majority of Western society are living. Excessive fuel consumption, waste production, and various other factors mean that ice caps are melting, seas are being polluted, and forests are being destroyed. But for the sake of the animals and our future generations, we need to start making some changes to how we live. This might sound drastic, but there are easy little lifestyle changes you can make that the earth will thank you for.
Plant a tree
Deforestation is tearing thousands of species’ natural habitats apart. This large-scale clearance of the planet’s forests greatly damages the quality of the land left. 30% of the world’s surface is still covered by rainforest, but this percentage is rapidly depleting. If we continue at our current rate, we won’t have any forests left in one hundred years. 70% of the world’s animal population reside in forests and lose their habitat. Orangutans suffer particularly. Deforestation also contributes to climate change. Trees contribute to the water cycle by putting moisture back into our atmosphere. It may sound like a tiny feat in comparison, but tree planting can help our environment endlessly. Find out which types of trees best thrive in your area and plant one or two. After all, every little helps.
Walk rather than drive
It sounds like a well known one, but millions of people still drive for unnecessary journeys. Walk to the corner shop, even if it’s raining. Catch public transport to work or cycle. Car share when possible. The fumes emitted from your vehicle go to damage the planet’s natural atmosphere. The ozone layer is depleting daily and letting ultraviolet rays through to the Earth’s surface. Polar ice caps are melting, destroying creatures’ natural habitats. Species such as polar bear are particularly struggling. Not only will walking or cycling help them, but it will be beneficial for you too. You’ll thank yourself later, as you strength and stamina builds and you breathe in slightly cleaner air.
Stop using shower gels with microbeads
The sea is becoming more and more polluted every single day. The majority of the Earth’s surface is sea, so we should take a little more care of it. Luckily, as technology and awareness develop, the amount of sea pollution is on the decline. But, there is still a lot more to learn about sea pollution. Some of the effects are invisible and can’t be physically seen. Some effects will never disappear from our waters. There are various ways to keep the ocean clean that are pushed more than others. For example, using a bag for life or cotton tote bag to carry your weekly shopping will drastically reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans. A little-known way to reduce ocean pollution is to stop using shower gels with microbeads. The small, plastic microbeads used in these end up in the sea. They are so small that they get past most water filtering processes. Though they may be small to us, they are big for some sea creatures. Animals that may sweep the ocean for plankton can accidentally end up ingesting large amounts. Smaller sea creatures could potentially choke on them. So opt for another gel or soap that doesn’t contain this unnecessary ingredient. If you have sensitive skin and are worried about swapping your usual products, look at my guide on sensitive skin care.
