What Should You Give Up To Save The Environment?

Okay, so maybe you don't have to give up your car completely, but cutting back on the hours you spend driving would be a big help! Cars are responsible for 20 percent of humanity's carbon dioxide emissions each year! Start looking for opportunities to take your car out of your daily commute. Buses and ride sharing can haul you for long distances and through bad weather, while walking and riding a bike can give you a boost of energy to start your day!

Maybe you don't have to quit cold turkey (hehe), but cutting back on your meat consumption would be doing the environment a big favor. Cows produce tons of methane every year, and methane is 23 times worse for the environment than carbon dioxide--not to mention the deforestation that is required to create pastures for livestock. There are lots of delicious meat alternatives out there. Start by hitting up some vegetarian restaurants to see what you like. Then learn to cook some of your new favorite dishes at home!

It may not be possible to eliminate trash from your life entirely, but reducing the amount of trash you produce is an important first step. No one wants to open up a new landfill! Try to buy food with less packaging when you go to the store, and bring your own reusable bags. Get creative with bulky trash. Can it be repurposed? Make a compost pile with your organics. And the leftover waste? Take it to a recycling center!

We all need some water to survive, but Westerners go above and beyond with their water consumption. For example, the average American home uses 400 gallons of water per day (while many Africans make do with just 0.2 gallons per day)! Cut a few minutes off your shower, try washing the dishes by hand, and invest in high-efficiency washing machines and toilets. All the small changes can add up!