Quarantine has certainly been a strange experience, but through all its craziness, important events have passed us by, like Earth Day. What should have been an important day filled with green activities has been overshadowed by our current situation. Earth Day was a reminder that, even during the global crisis, our Earth continues to need our help. Here are three ways you can remain green at home!
Conserve energy: It seems like this step is already done due to decreases in travel, but being at home also means more energy use, in terms of water, electricity, and A/C. When brushing your teeth, turn off the tap, which saves 3-4 gallons per person per day! Additionally, cut down your use of electricity. Turn off all lights while not in use, and make use of the beautiful sunlight coming through the windows! The summer weather brings a need for more A/C. Cutting down the use of A/C can go a long way. Open the window when temperatures are cooler or use an electric fan!
Cut down the use of harmful products: Harmful products are ones that harm the environment, like disposable plastic. Try your best to always use reusable items when possible. When at the grocery store, avoid items packaged in plastic, and buy eco-friendly items whenever possible! This will give support to sustainable brands, benefiting the environment immensely over time. Another harmful product is paper. Now that everything is online, it is easier to cut down our paper use and save some trees! Don’t print anything out unnecessary.
Stay connected with nature: In addition to the methods above, it’s important to maintain a connection with nature and gain motivation to continue helping the Earth. It is also extremely beneficial for you. In times like these, our mental health is something we should all pay attention to, and an easy way to improve your mental state is to connect with nature. Take a walk and spend some time in the sun! Natural light boosts your mental health, and spending time outside has been proven to increase happiness and confidence.
With everything going on, it can be hard to concentrate on the environment, but it remains an important issue! The best part about these methods is that they’re simple and don’t require much effort, but can accomplish a lot. Remember, small actions add up to big achievements.