5 WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET

From melting ice caps to forest fires and flash floods – we can no longer deny that we are destroying our beautiful planet. She is heating up fast, which is scientifically proven to be from man-made pollution and not natural phenomena. Here are five practical ways you can do you part to save the planet.

To say that plastic is ‘disposable’ is one of the biggest deceptions of our time. Every piece of plastic that was ever made is still on our planet today. The Ellen Macarthur Foundation recently revealed that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans by weight than fish. Say no to plastic as much as you can. Bring reusable bags, water bottles and containers with you. Reduce, reuse, recycle and replace!

Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world after oil. It takes 2,720 litres of water to make a t-shirt – that’s how much one human being will normally drink over a three year period. Start by thinking what you are willing to change about your current buying habits. Try clothes swapping with friends, give clothes a new lease of life by buying vintage, try up-cycling and when you are buying something new ask yourself if you will wear it more than 30 times.

Yes, this is a thing! According to Nat Geo, every pound of beef served is equivalent to releasing about 19lb of greenhouse gases and animal agriculture is responsible for 18 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. This says the Food and Agriculture Organisation of The United Nations is more than the combined exhaust from all transportation (13 per cent). Consuming less beef reduces your carbon footprint and sparks for interesting conversation at the dinner table. Head to Less Meat Less Heat and take the 30 day climatraian challenge.

To really take a stand in the fight against climate change, we need to get serious about making polluters pay for their carbon emissions. Send the world a message and make a powerful statement by paying a voluntary ‘carbon tax’ which goes to protecting critically important forests and coastal ecosystems. Further still, get your colleagues together to petition your company to pay a carbon tax – there are power in numbers.

Other than being conscious of your own lifestyle choices, you can support brands that are doing things in a better way. Take the initiative to be informed about who you are supporting, what you are buying and labels as this information is available to you. You vote with your time and your wallet – use this power wisely.