One of the best things about our generation is that every day we’re becoming increasingly conscious about the world around us. We value how we treat each other, how we treat ourselves, and how we treat the planet. This kind of shift in consciousness can lead to great change, and we all have the potential for that. There’s so much talk around global warming and climate change. Honestly, it’s hard to understand and comprehend all of the information that’s thrown at us. So I’m going to break down the wicked basics for you, sans the confusion.
The average temperature of the planet is rising like crazy, and that climate change is defined as global warming. This causes unnatural patterns in our otherwise natural storms. Global warming is essentially one of the biggest environmental troubles we face because it has led to other environmental problems such as loss of natural resources, climate change, loss of biodiversity, increase in natural disasters, and ozone layer depletion.
I’m not trying to freak you out, but the state of our environment is pretty delicate. Luckily, there are so many amazing and creative things we can do help our planet. One of the simplest things you can do today is cut back on your energy consumption. If you’re wondering how to conserve energy, here are five everyday things you can do to go green!
Unplug appliances when they're not in use
Even though you turned the hair dryer off before running to class, if your hair dryer is still plugged in, it is still using electricity. To save some energy, unplug whatever you aren’t using in the moment.
Use less hot water
I know it sounds crazy, but it’s totally doable! Don’t worry, you don’t have to shower with arctic cold water, but see if you can bring the temperature down slightly. I’m a major advocate for reducing the usage of hot water for many reasons. Showering with colder water not only helps save energy, but it closes your pores and reduces the frizz in your hair. Do it for the environment and your self-care.
Actually, just use less water.
One of my favorite ways to use less water is to turn off the tap when I brush my teeth. I brush my teeth for about three to five minutes, so imagine the amount of water I’d waste if I didn’t shut it off! If we all saved give minutes worth of water each day, we would rapidly reduce our energy waste and most importantly protect our resources.
Ditch the ring light and take advantage of natural light.
There’s no better sensation than waking up to sunshine beams. If you’re wondering how to conserve energy in the simplest way, try using as much natural light as possible. Not only will your makeup look flawless, but studies have shown natural light increases serotonin levels in the brain, leading you to feel happier and relaxed.
Always opt for sleep mode.
If you read up on stats, you’d probably be surprised about how much energy your computer uses. When you’re not typing away, be sure to put it on sleep mode. Later, when you’re headed to sleep, remember to power it off. I have a strong habit of falling asleep during a Netflix binge, so if my computer is idle for too long it turns itself off.
These quick changes in your everyday routine make it easy to go green! The truth is, living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to be as challenging as it may seem. Once these changes become habits, you will continue figuring out how to conserve energy in new ways. Before you know it you’ll be a true environmentalist.
Comment below the changes you’re making to go green!
Opening image by Mikayla Rivera.
