As mothers, we have an underlying duty to leave this planet in a better state than how we found it. Given the increasingly erratic weather conditions that have been experienced worldwide and the steady rise in global temperatures, this is by no means be an easy objective to accomplish. However, we should do everything we possibly can to help the environment and save the planet. 
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Unless we begin to act now, the effects of climate change could be irreversible as early as 2030. More than a million species are currently under the threat of extinction and millions of people risk losing their homes due to extreme weather conditions, like droughts and storms. Large multi-national conglomerates and wealthy nations should also play a part in creating a more sustainable world, however, as individuals, we can make more eco-friendly decisions. Here are four straightforward steps that can help save our planet!
Switch to Renewable Energy
Although fossil fuels still dominate the U.S energy market, renewable sources of energy have been growing in popularity and use over the last decade. Renewable energy sources are now relatively easy to get a hold of and install, for either residential or commercial use. If you live in a region that boasts of plentiful sunshine, you could consider installing Sunbridge Solar panels to fuel your electricity consumption. Another way to use clean energy is by contacting your utility provider and asking them about their renewable energy programs. These programs basically offer customers the option to use energy that has been created through clean and renewable sources. There tends to be a small price increment for these services, however, the average difference is only around $8-10 a month.
Embrace a Plant-Based Diet
A plant-based diet can help the environment by reducing the use of freshwater and lessening the impact of greenhouse gasses. Every year, more and more people decide to make the switch towards a plant-based diet. Not only this but reducing your consumption of red meat is also widely beneficial for your health. You don’t have to give up all meat and dairy overnight, you could choose to make this change progressively. You could decide to become a flexitarian, vegetarian, or even a vegan. Experts at the University of Oxford concluded that cutting out both meat and dairy could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by 73%. Nowadays there are so many plant-based alternatives for those who are looking to be vegan but still want to indulge in their guilty pleasures.
Ditch Fast Fashion and Trends
Fast fashion is one of the world’s worst polluters and in order to save the planet, it is best that you avoid it at all costs. This type of fashion typically refers to cheap, trendy clothing that is designed, manufactured, and sold, in a matter of weeks. Trends are constantly changing and therefore clothes are continuously being mass-produced at a cheap price point with low-quality materials. This encourages people to buy clothes on a frequent basis, wear them once or twice, and then throw them away so that they end up in a landfill. The average citizen in the United States will throw away up to 70 pounds of clothing each year. Instead, why not visit vintage or second-hand stores to find pre-loved pieces. If you would rather something brand new, invest in timeless clothing that is durable. Before making a purchase, ask yourself if you really get a good use out of that item of clothing?
Drive Less and Carpool More
Assuming that each person drives around 11,500 miles in a year, a typical car will emit around 4.6 metric tons of CO2 every year. These are astonishing numbers that are even more shocking when you multiply them by the number of people on the roads. Our cities and lifestyles have become dominated by cars, and we barely consider public transport when we can drive. If you do have to drive, why not consider carpooling to avoid any extra carbon dioxide emissions?
Thankfully we are on the way to becoming a greener society and the younger generations are not only more conscious about the environment but also more eager to look after it. Revolutionary icons like Greta Thunberg have undoubtedly led the way for this type of eco-friendly thinking but we too, as mothers, are in charge of instilling these values in our children. Future generations deserve to enjoy all that mother earth has to offer, therefore, we must all do our part in encouraging a greener, more sustainable environment.
