Every one of us is looking for a way to help the environment, and there are more and more options becoming available to us every day. Some of these options include programmes that encourage recycling, while others focus on improving public transportation networks. We have compiled a list of simple ways that you and the people living in Dublin can lessen the impact that you have on the environment.
1. Local produce
Buying food grown in your immediate area is one of the most effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint caused by your way of life. Shopping locally not only helps the economy of your town or village, but it also cuts down on the number of miles that food, especially fresh food, has to travel in order to reach you. In addition to this, it is less likely that locally produced goods will be manufactured in large quantities, which results in fairer pay for the people who are actually producing the goods and less waste.
2. Public transport
Using public transportation rather than your own car is yet another uncomplicated step you can take to reduce the environmental impact of your household. Since the bus, tram, or train is going to make the journey regardless of whether or not you take it, you might as well reduce emissions and get on one of those modes of transportation. Carpooling is a good example of an initiative that could help reduce the number of cars that are only carrying one person.
3. Being Vegetarian
Even though adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet might appear to be a dramatic change in one’s lifestyle, doing so has been shown to have a significant positive effect on the natural world. Animal agriculture has a significant negative impact on the environment due to the enormous scale on which it is practised across the globe, particularly in terms of the quantity of food required to sustain the animals, the energy expended to transport them, and the amount of waste and emissions they generate. In the event that you have no intention of adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, you should at the very least try to source locally produced meat, eggs, and milk in order to reduce your environmental impact.
4. Dispose responsibly
One of the simplest ways to lessen the impact that your household has on the environment is to dispose of waste in an environmentally conscious manner. It is currently more convenient than ever before to dispose of unwanted items in a responsible manner thanks to council collections of recyclable goods and household waste, in addition to designated areas at local tips. In addition, if you have a significant amount of waste to get rid of after completing a home improvement project or clearing out your house, look for a company that rents skips and is environmentally conscious to help you get rid of your waste.
5. Upcycle
Alternately, rather than getting rid of things you no longer need or want, why not repurpose them into something brand spanking new? Give your old, worn out items a new lease on life by transforming them into a new piece of furniture, clothing, or gifts. There are thousands of upcycling projects and initiatives waiting to inspore. There are countless opportunities for upcycling; all you need to do is some research and get creative.