Sea levels are rising, storms are fiercer, droughts last longer, and the ocean is filled with plastics. That’s not good news for the planet; honestly, it’s not great for us either.
Climate change is responsible for this. Sure, industries are a major contributor to climate change. But consumers also play a part. How? They exacerbate climate change through materialism and overconsumption.
The only way to do your bit to tackle this is to let go of habits that are quietly wrecking the planet.
You don’t have to uproot your life to make a difference, however. Giving up even one or two of these habits can reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the planet for future generations.
Ready to live a little greener? Here are a few habits that you should ditch for a more sustainable lifestyle.
1. Buying Cheap, Trendy Clothes
You know that $10 T-shirt you bought because it was super affordable? Turns out, it comes at a much higher cost. This fast fashion is destroying the planet.
The World Wildlife Fund highlights that huge volumes of water are used in producing and dyeing fabric. Nasty chemicals and microplastics that are released from leather tanning, fabric dyeing, and processing end up in the water.
That’s not just bad for the environment, but also harmful to those working in those industries and nearby communities who drink that water. It doesn’t stop there. Tons of clothes get dumped in landfills or burned, which is awful for the air.
Avoid refreshing your wardrobe with disposable trends. Instead, Harper’s Bazaar advises investing in pieces you can wear for more than one season.
Try buying from sustainable brands. Wholesome Culture, Christy Dawn, and Reformation are a few examples.
2. Overusing Streaming Services
Surprise! Streaming your favorite shows 24/7 isn’t as eco-friendly as you think.
Those endless Netflix marathons are powered by giant data centers that consume massive amounts of energy. Netflix reveals that streaming a show for an hour produces around 55 grams of carbon dioxide. Multiply that by hours of binge-watching, and the carbon footprint is massive.
Does this mean you have to cancel your subscriptions? No. Small changes can help.
Try downloading shows instead of streaming them repeatedly or watching in lower resolution if possible. Mix in some other fun stuff as well. Play board games, read books, or go outside.
3. Steer Clear of Substance Use
Bet you didn’t know that alcohol and drugs are a huge problem for the environment? The illicit drug economy, in particular, is surprisingly a big contributor to global climate change, informs GPDPD.
Take cocaine, for instance. Its production skyrocketed in 2022. That year, a record-breaking 2,757 tons of cocaine was produced. Imagine the environmental impact of making such a massive amount of drugs. That’s a lot of deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution just to fuel a destructive habit.
Need help quitting? Professional guidance is available whenever you’re ready to take that important first step. Throughout the U.S., there are over 17,000 rehab centers. Around 1,000 facilities are there in Arizona alone. Tempe and Peoria are among the areas with the largest number of rehabs.
If you search for a leading option for drug rehab in Tempe or Peoria, plenty of options will appear on the screen.
You deserve the very best treatment center experience. This is why the Purpose Healing Center advises choosing a center that takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to care, shares your goal of long-term sobriety, and offers evidence-based treatment.
Rehabs in Arizona offer detox programs, as well. These are aimed at eliminating drugs or alcohol from the body. They often involve a combination of medical and psychological therapies, along with supportive care, to help individuals begin their journey to recovery.
If you want to detox in a safe and comfortable environment, look for detox and rehab programs local to Peoria or Tempe.
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4. Chasing the Newest Tech Gadgets
Apple drops a new iPhone, and your perfectly good phone suddenly feels ancient. But do you really need that slightly better camera or the processor that is just 0.02 seconds faster? Probably not.
Tech companies love convincing everyone they need the latest gadgets. But constantly upgrading has a huge environmental cost.
Earth.Org informs that producing electronics is a power-intensive process. It requires the extraction of rare Earth metals, which creates a ton of pollution.
Adding to that is the disposal challenge. When the old ones get tossed, they contribute to digital waste. Hardly a quarter of e-waste is currently being recycled.
Don’t upgrade your phone every year. Try holding onto your devices longer. Need an upgrade? Buy refurbished or trade in your old device responsibly. And when it’s really time to part ways, recycle it properly. Many stores and manufacturers have e-waste programs.
Breaking these habits can lead to a lot of benefits, like saving money, reducing stress, and creating a more intentional lifestyle. It turns out that what’s good for the planet is often good for humans, too.
You don’t have to change everything at once. Start with one or two habits, and you’ll make a huge difference.
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