3 Ways to Make 2020 a Sustainable Year
The new year is here, and that means that many new resolutions and goals are being set by millions as we write this post. With the new year comes new opportunity, not just to create personal goals that motivate you in the right direction, but also to set goals that can benefit the environment and planet.
Whether you are a school teaching the next generation or an individual looking to limit your own carbon footprint, here are 3 easy things you can do right now to live more sustainably:
- Reuse – From containers and shopping bags to utensils and straws, reusable is the best way to leave no waste behind. It’s really all a matter of developing the habit - the habit of bringing the reusable bag into the grocery store, or the habit of carrying a reusable straw or water bottle with you. According to PlasticOceans.org, humans produce over 300 million tons of plastic every year, 50 percent of which is for single-use purposes, resulting in more than 8 million tons of plastic being dumped into our oceans every year. Such harrowing statistics make it easy to understand the importance of our individual efforts and the difference you can make by bringing your own bag, bottle or straw wherever you go.
- Nix the toxins – Toxins are in much of what we use and ingest, and the first place to start when eliminating toxins is to learn about the products that you use and which ingredients are considered to be harmful. For cleaning products, it’s as simple as moving to plant-based and naturally derived disinfectants which are widely available in stores and online. When it comes to your lawns and gardens, it is important to replace pesticides and other chemicals with earth-friendly methods for managing critters and intruders. Also, there is always the option of changing the type of garden that you have in place. For example, you can guarantee organic greens and veggies in an aquaponics system, as well as use up to 90 percent less water than conventional gardening – eliminating both water waste and toxic chemicals.
- Grow your own – Taking control of what you eat starts with you. When you grow your own food, you know how the food has been grown and handled. You also know whether chemicals have been used and can eliminate preservatives and unwanted additives. From an environmental perspective, sustainable gardening can also improve water quality. According to the EPA, runoff from farms is the leading source of impairments to surveyed rivers and lakes. With an aquaponics system like AquaGrove, such waste and runoff are eliminated, as plants, vegetables and fish can be grown in one compact footprint, without the addition of harmful chemicals. In fact, growers are guaranteed a 100 percent organic food source, as any pesticides or contaminants would negatively impact the health of the fish, which would in turn inhibit the growth process.
While the list could go on to include many more steps you can take to a cleaner and sustainable future, an important part of sustainable living is setting realistic goals. Even if you choose to start with one or two improvements now, you can always add more later. So, here’s to a successful and sustainable 2020; with a few changes in our habits now, we can all look forward to a brighter and healthier planet and future ahead. Happy New Year!