I know each and every one of you is stressed by the thought of the imminent doom that is the time-bomb we’ve created on this planet through our careless pollution. I know it sucks to think about what we’re leaving to our children and how every decision we make could further the decay of our surrounding environment. So what more can we do? Should we quit our jobs and go march for the freedom of our planet? But then who would take care of our future – the real one, based on finances and savings we worry about right now, with our current work. Well, for starters, you need to check what you’re doing right now that could benefit you in the long run. Are you taking the bike for a ride once a week to work on your cardio?
Do you use public transportation or use co-riding options on your daily commute? Are you trying to store your food in reusable containers instead of throwing away plastic bags every day? If you answered yes, then you can start focusing on your future. If not, you need to start small: put those cereals you bought in a container with a lid and throw the plastic bag in a recycling bin. Or quit forgetting to turn off the lights when you leave the room. But assuming you managed to fit small things into your routine that are helping you be more environmentally-aware on a daily basis. Now it’s time to focus on improving your long-term effects by tweaking your basic needs from an eco-friendly perspective.
When I decided to check my use of natural resources, I was horrified of how much waste I created. But I still started small, and that turned out to benefit both me and my surroundings in the long run. I picked up a solar panel for my roof. Although I can still switch to regular energy any time, I find myself using the panel more and more each day. I started incorporating the bike in my daily commute and slowly but surely I was soon travelling anyway I needed on it. It was way more comfortable, especially since I switched to a folding bike, and it improved my health and my overall state. I felt relaxed and happy now that I knew I wasn’t destroying the environment with my huge carbon imprint. I was already accustomed to cycling and it was a change for the better. I also switched to a vegetarian diet for the half of each week, this way reducing my meat-consumption drastically. Although these seem like small changes, their effects are noticeable in the long run and in the end, they add up to a better world for my family. I didn’t downshift to a cabin in the woods and I didn’t quit my job in the city. But I did manage to find a way to trick the system into leading an eco-friendly existence that has beneficial effects on everything and everyone in my life, including myself.
