Have you ever heard the saying “think global, act local”?
These days everybody wants to make a difference and do their part to protect the planet and rightfully so. Sometimes it’s easy to think that you have to make huge moves that will be felt everywhere and will create lasting change from the get-go.
That creates unrealistic expectations and sometimes it’s not necessary.
Most of the time, you can start small. It’s the simple repeated actions being done right in your backyard that create an even bigger impact than you realize
That is why in this article, we will cover four simple and stress-free ways you can start to make your community more sustainable. These actions create a domino effect that will lead to a cleaner environment and a healthier planet overall.
1. Participate in Local Environment Initiatives
Doing your part for the environment doesn’t have to be a one-person job! Invite your neighbors to join in and have some fun with it!
This could mean organizing community cleanups, tree planting days, or setting up pop-up farmers markets to raise awareness of local fresh produce options.
These different initiatives help improve your community’s quality of life by cleaning up its environment, sprucing up the area, and fostering community involvement.
You could also take it a step further by partnering with local nonprofits and schools. It’s a great way for young people to learn leadership skills, confidence, and the importance of giving back to their community from a young age.
2. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!
One key aspect of living more sustainably is learning to be smart about your resources..
Whenever trash is released from households or manufacturing plants into landfills, this waste accumulates and decomposes in an oxygen-deficient environment. This results in the release of the greenhouse gas methane into the atmosphere.
What you can do to help is recycle and reuse as much as possible. This helps reduce the burden placed on landfills which ultimately reduces methane emissions.
You can also start using scraps from veggies and fruits to make compost for your garden. It supports the circular economy by restoring nutrients into the soil and reducing the need for man-made and often toxic chemical fertilizers.
And check out local thrift stores instead of always shopping at retail stores. You can get some top quality clothing or furniture pieces at a ridiculously affordable price!
3. Start Awareness Campaigns in Your Community
Many people want to get involved in their community and promote healthier practices but many just don’t know how to go about it.
Education is your most powerful tool.
People don’t know what they don’t know. So grab some environmentally conscious like-minded peers and set up some mini workshops in your community to educate people on the simple ways they can start to live more sustainably.
Organize simple, interactive awareness campaigns and spread the word about renewable energy sources and sustainable living tips.
Share personal, relatable advice on what worked or didn’t work for you. Leverage social media to spread the word about fun but mighty ways to better the environment one community at a time.
4. Encourage Renewable Energy Usage in Your Community
The non-renewable energy sources we rely on burn fossil fuels to generate electricity. This releases carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, worsening our climate change problem and further damaging wildlife and their natural ecosystems.
Making the switch to a renewable energy source like solar gives you control over your energy production so you rely less on the grid. It also helps you save money on electricity since you’ll no longer be vulnerable to unpredictable energy rate hikes. But more so, solar energy helps clean up the grid so the more people decide to go solar, the faster we can get to more sustainable energy generation for all.
There are plenty of financial incentives available to make it as easy as possible for you to get set up with your residential solar panels. But if you can’t afford to get your own panels or you rent your home, a community solar subscription is a straightforward and cost-effective option to help you enjoy the benefits of solar without the hefty price tag.
It may not seem like much but making intentional choices everyday and participating in community-led initiatives focused on sustainability will slowly but surely accumulate into meaningful change for the environment. If you would like to learn more about the different solutions we offer to help you do that, connect with us and we can chat!