Alternative Energy HQ solar power for homes, wind energy, and bio fuel issues
We make daily choices that affect the environment, the climate, and living species. Everything from what we choose to eat to how many kids we decide to have to what we buy has repercussions.
There’s a lot we can do to reduce our environmental footprint. And some of the smallest changes in our sustainability practices can create the biggest impact. Considering that fossil fuel use is one of the most significant contributors to the environment’s decline, taking steps to curb your energy usage is a good area of focus. Here are five ways to get started:
1. Get Rid of the Energy Vampires
Do you leave smart device cables plugged in, even when not in use? If you do, your charger is drawing energy even if nothing is plugged in. Known as an energy vampire or phantom power, leaving a cable or device plugged in means it’s always drawing energy.
Even if your device is plugged in but its 100% charged, it’s in no-load mode and still drawing energy. A fully-charged phone that’s still plugged in consumes roughly 2.24 watts or 60% of the power the phone used while charging. Unplug your devices when they’re fully charged. If unplugging the charger from the wall every time you’re finished is inconvenient, invest in a power strip with an on/off switch.
You could save energy by being more mindful of your charger cables and wall plugs. But take the concept one step further and examine your smart device habits. Do you leave your tablet on when you’re not using it? Does your laptop run long after you’re done using it? Are there background apps that constantly run, decreasing your smartphone’s battery life unnecessarily?
Change your device’s settings to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity. And consider installing a battery saver app to help you get the most out of your device’s battery life.
2. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
You can improve your home’s sustainability without having to do a major overhaul. Major corporations are taking steps to use less power, and you can do the same. Take some small steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency — doing so can reduce your use of heating, cooling, and electricity in general. Here are some simple ways:
- Replace lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED versions
- Add weatherstripping around drafty windows and doors
- Hang blackout or insulating curtains to keep cold air or the hot sun out
- Replace old appliances with more efficient Energy Star-rated versions
3. Buy Local
Be more conscious of the foods you eat. The strawberries you see in the supermarket in December were probably shipped from halfway around the world to make it to your table. That’s a lot of carbon emissions to satisfy strawberry cravings.
Buy local produce as much as you can — it’s one of the most effective ways you can go green. Most cities and towns have farmers’ markets at least once per week, where you can buy foods directly from the source. If there aren’t any local farmers’ markets, your local health food store is a good source of organic and locally-grown foods, too.
You’ll need to learn more about seasonality once you start choosing to support local farmers by buying locally-grown foods. Most produce only grows certain times of the year. For example, stone fruits such as nectarines and peaches are summer fruit. Brussel sprouts and root vegetables such as parsnips sweeten in November. Knowing when food grows optimally gives you a good idea about whether the produce you’re about to buy is locally grown.
4. Walk More — or Ride a Bike
Find ways to cut back on your driving to make an impact on your fossil fuel use. Instead of driving to the gym, do your workouts from home. There are plenty of apps with professionally guided workouts you can do. Yoga, especially, can be done by people of all ages, and from nearly any location.
Walk or ride your bike to run errands, go shopping, or even commute to work. Physical activity is not only good for the environment but also excellent for your health and wellbeing. If your job location is too far for a bike ride, ask your boss to work remotely from home once a week or more. You may even get more work done from home on your remote work days than at the office.
5. Drive a Hybrid
If you feel like it’s almost time to switch cars, a hybrid would be a smart choice to replace your existing vehicle. Hybrids use less fuel. Unlike electric vehicles, you don’t have to worry about the car’s distance range ending before you have to plug the car in to charge again. Knowing how to drive a hybrid will help you get the most out of its technology to further reduce your fuel consumption. Owning one is a good step towards curbing your energy use.
Curbing Energy Usage Requires a Lifestyle Change
Sustainability requires you to be more thoughtful about your actions and how they impact the world. You can lower your carbon footprint by taking small actions, but you’ll need to make changes to your habits to make it work.
