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Writer's pictureAmy Conway

How to be More Eco-Friendly in 2023

Energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 6% in 2021, reaching its highest ever level

Climate finance falls short of $100 billion yearly commitment.


Reduce plastic

instead of using plastic cups and bottles, use reusable ones. Not only are you throwing out less waste but you're getting better value for money by reusing something over and over again without the initial cost changing. Ultimately it's an investment to save money. If you bought 50 single use plastic water bottles for £1 that would cost £50, but you could buy the same amount of water if not more, buying one reusable bottle for £10. It is also essential to reduce plastic because it will prevent pollution and reduces the demand for fossil fuel consumption while saving natural resources and energy. Further, it reduces the need to extract new, raw materials from the earth as it reuses the stuff that's already processed and protects natural resources. It also saves on energy because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute towards climate change itself.


Wash clothes at 30C

Using cold water to wash your clothes eliminates the amount of energy used to heat up the water. About 90% of a washing machines energy gets used to heat up the water used to clean your clothes. By washing your clothes at the recommend heat of 30C it will use less energy to heat up the water. Especially during the energy crisis we're experiencing currently as according to the Energy Saving Trust, "washing clothes at 30 degrees using 40% less electricity over the course of a year compared to higher temperatures".


Eat less meat

Meat and dairy product are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions being emitted. These emissions come from the stages of meat's production, processing, packaging and delivery methods. In particular, in farming stage, they release methane and nitrous oxide.

But why is high emission of greenhouse gases bad for the environment? They contribute to negative climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Moreover, extreme weather, food supply disruptions, and increased wildfires are other effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gases.


Buy second hand - a circular economy for textiles

Using apps like eBay and Depop can not only help you save money but its actually better for the environment because you buying second hand clothes to wear, rather than buying more clothes, especially if it contributes to fast fashion. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers. Washing clothes often sends huge amounts of microplastics into the ocean. they're toxic, cheap dyes and it creates exploitation of underpaid workers.


Most clothes that you buy first hand are fast fashion. Fast fashion is used to describe clothing that moves quickly from the catwalks to stores to take advantage of trends. The industry is responsible for being the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions. This mainly comes from all the international flights and maritime shipping combined to get products from factories to consumers. It is bad for the environment because the plastic fibres in a lot of these cheaper clothes and polluting oceans, this includes the toxic, cheap dyes but also the exploitation of underpaid workers.


Give new life to old electronics

Electronics require a lot of energy and water and value resources in their manufacturing and running processes. Reusing and recycling these are particularly critical to environmentally-sound waste management. This could be selling your phone on platforms like eBay or selling to a friend. You can even give your old electronics to shops that will refurbish them and replace old parts to make them look like new and sell them for a cheaper price than retail. This way, similar to clothes, you're saving the environment and saving on spendings from disposable income. Apple, a trusted and established business, sell their refurbished products at a discounted price. Even if your electronic device is no longer serviceable, there are many recyclers who are interested in the value that metal contains.


Volunteer

There are many organisations out there that volunteer which you can get involved in as well. There are many environmental groups, land conservancies and other environmental stewardship organisations. Volunteer programmes are available at many environmental organisations, land conservancies, and other environmental stewardship organisations. Volunteering allows you to meet new people, stay updated on current environmental issues and help protect the planet. This being picking up litter, fund-raising, clearing trails, educating others and lots more.



Along with many others ways, incorporating these things into your daily life are evident that they will save energy and ultimately help to reduce the rise in climate change, but they are also ways to help you save money!!!!! So why wouldn't you give some of the ideas a go incorporating them into your normal daily routine. It can help the world to achieve the 13th Sustainable Development Goal - Climate Action.





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