Ecotourism – Eco Karen

Why Oats are the Eco-Eater’s Best Friend

Eco-friendly and sustainable living has become a top priority for many people in recent years. The effects of climate change are seen every day, with some experts warning that we are nearing a time where we’ll have to make rapid, effective change to negate the impact we’ve had on the planet so far. The food we eat is crucial, and oats can be a fantastic, low-carbon addition to your diet.

You can make oats into a wide range of ingredients to help you live your best eco-eater life. This article will discuss some of the incredible ways oats can be added to your diet and help reduce your carbon footprint.

You Can Buy Oats Locally

Shopping for oats locally reduces the emissions from distribution and delivery. It is a good idea to find a reputable local farm or eco-food producer to buy your oats from. This is a win-win for any ethical eater, as you reduce your carbon footprint while supporting local businesses. It is a good idea to make a list of local farms that produce oats. You can then research their farming practices to ensure that they offer the best in sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

You Can Choose Oat Vendors With Green Credentials

It can be helpful to look for vendors and farms which produce oats and have accreditation from a recognized eco-friendly organization. Green America is a good example of what to look for when deciding which vendor to use. Look for their Trustmark when you shop online for oats or talk to vendors in person.

Looking for a business with accreditation can help you identify which local oat growers and vendors are committed to sustainability. Most organizations require a company to adhere to strict rules for farming and other practices to quality if their accreditation, giving you the peace of mind you need when choosing an ethical oat supplier.

You Can Buy Oats In Bulk To Reduce Waste Packaging

Waste packaging is a serious concern for many eco-eaters. A lot of foodstuffs, including oats, come with multiple layers of packaging in varying materials. Increasingly, food manufacturers are choosing to package their products in eco-friendly packaging, but this can still result in waste if not recycled properly.

By shopping in bulk for your oats, you can ensure that there is minimal packaging. Oats are a great kitchen staple, as they keep for a long time and can be used in a wide range of dishes. By buying oats in bulk, you can ensure that you get the best deal on your kitchen essentials while keeping packaging to a minimum.

Oats Help You Save Money While Saving The Planet

Not only are oats a better option for the environment, but they also offer fantastic value for money. Local farmers’ markets will often have bulk oats on sale for low prices. When compared to animal-based products, oats are incredibly cheap. They can also be made into various other ingredients to supplement your plant-based diet, meaning you have to visit fewer stores to get the ingredients you need for a meal.

You Can Create Staple Kitchen Ingredients From Oats

Oats can be used in a massive range of ways. There is the classic breakfast of oatmeal, and you can make tasty treats like flapjacks. You can also use them in place of other grains like rice to create filling, healthy and plant-based meals for the whole family.

You could also find out more about making flour from oats. While oat flour is available readymade in many supermarkets, learning to make your own can help cut costs and further reduce your carbon footprint. It is a simple process, and oat flour can help you make a range of delicious baked goods. Check out A Clean Bake’s guide to learn more about making oat flour at home.

You Can Encourage Sustainable Crop Rotation By Buying Oats

Oats are an excellent way for farmers to practice sustainable crop rotation. When included in a three- or four-year crop rotation, oats can prevent soil erosion and reduce the amount of carbon produced by growing crops. Oats require minimal water, often getting all the water they need from what naturally occurs in the soil they’re planted in. This reduces the need for irrigation of the crops and cuts back on the amount of water it takes to produce.

Oats Help Make The Most Of A Plant-Based Diet

When switching to a plant-based diet, it is crucial to include as much variety as possible. With oats being so versatile, they can help you create a filling and healthy plant-based meals. While they are traditionally seen as a breakfast food, you can use them in various ways for any meal.

Oats Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

While oats do still have a carbon footprint, this is a lot slower than the carbon footprint for meat and meat-based products. It is essential to do your homework and find the most ethical and sustainable supplier for your oats to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible.

Oat Milk Reduces The Need For Cow Milk

There are many options available as alternatives to cow milk, and oat milk is rapidly becoming one of the most popular. There are various oat milk options to be found in your local supermarket. It is a good idea to research the companies that produce oat milk and choose the one with sustainability practices you’re comfortable with. You can use oat milk in all the ways cow milk can, from cereal to baking to putting in your coffee.

Conclusion

Oats should be a staple for any eco-eater out there. The number of things you can do with oats is impressive, and overall, it is a crop that has a minimal impact on the environment. It is important to research local suppliers and vendors to choose the right place to buy all your oats and oat-based products. You should also learn about how to cook with oats so that you can get the most out of this incredible food staple.

Core Business Trends that are Making the Oil and Gas Industry Greener

Many industries were and continue to be impacted by the global pandemic, including the oil and gas industry. While this industry was already facing some issues prompted by factors such as politics and the fall in profit in certain countries, COVID-19 certainly worsened the situation all over the world. However, these problems also inspired the hunt for effective solutions, which is why a series of new trends emerged. Read on to find out what core business trends are changing the oil and gas industry today.

The proposed changes to the business model

For the most part, the business model of the oil and gas industry was based on the prediction that the demand for fossil fuel would increase in line with the global expansion of the economy. The issue is that in reality, while the demand was rising, the oil and gas companies relied on subsidies to facilitate the production. This proved to be inefficient, as fossil fuel was and continues to be underpriced. Slowly, some changes are being proposed and made to combat this problem. What also prompted some proposals for changes to be made to the business model was the upsurge in the use of the hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” method. This traditional technique is used to extract oil and natural gas from the ground. Many oil and gas companies experienced a negative return on investment, as they were spending more on extraction, particularly fracking, as well as on production than they earned. Apart from that, hydraulic fracturing has gained some notoriety as sometimes mishaps happen during this process, which negatively affects the environment.

The implementation of modern tech for reduced on-site safety risks

Oil and gas industry sites are full of safety hazards. Although safety measures that were already in place were carefully created to ensure workers’ safety, they are constantly being revised and updated. Currently, there is a trend to implement modern tech to reduce on-site safety risks. For example, advanced robotic machinery can carry out automatic pipe handling, putting manual workers out of harm’s way. Furthermore, wearable technology is yet another tool utilized to prevent accidents involving employees. Some of these devices are able to track the workers’ state of health by means of measuring their heart rate, blood pressure, and so on, as well as to detect the presence of toxic chemicals. One hazardous chemical that employees in the oil and gas industry often come across is hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Quality H2S treatment equipment can help administer safe H2S removal from water vapor-saturated gas.

The rise in automation with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized many industries, and the oil and gas industry is no exception. Therefore, a growing trend in this industry is the use of IoT to connect robotic machinery and other devices equipped with smart sensors to IoT platforms. This allows for real-time monitoring and data collection to help improve the production process in the future and make informed business decisions. Additionally, IoT sensors make it possible to automate certain processes, such as the ordering of supplies. The way this works is that the sensor would signal that there is a shortage of supplies and the software automatically places the order. Automation of repetitive tasks is being implemented to tackle the problem of workforce scarcity.

More inclination toward sustainability

Finding sustainable solutions in terms of the processes of drilling and production in the sphere of oil and gas has long been in the talks. This trend has been on the rise in recent years due to the fact that society is becoming more aware of the effects that a number of industries have on the environment and is willing to implement changes to combat this issue. For instance, there has been a tendency to lower the usage of freshwater by recycling. Also, some oil and gas companies are reducing methane emissions by incorporating more efficient leak detections.

Essentially, the current business trends in the oil and gas industry have to do with the changes in the business model which mostly stem from advancements in technology. In addition to that, people are generally becoming more environmentally aware. Modern tech has enabled the workflow to run more smoothly and safely, and more environmentally-friendly solutions are being developed.

The Ugly Truth About Plastic

Plastic is an integral material in our everyday lives, but unfortunately, it has extremely destructive capabilities to the environment. Plastic pollution refers to the build-up of plastics in the environment, it is a huge environmental issue that has adverse effects on the planet. The issue is worsened by our actions, with some of us not fully comprehending the negative effects. Therefore, it is important that we fully understand the damaging effects plastic pollution is having on our environment and capably tackle the issues at hand. This article will discuss the dangerous effects plastic pollution is having on the Earth’s environment, and outline tips on how to aid in its prevention.

One of the main factors contributing to plastic pollution is the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastics. According to Oceans Plastic Free, plastic production requires an enormous amount of energy and resources. This process causes carbon emissions and contributes to global warming. Furthermore, recycling plastic is extremely inefficient- only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled. Two-thirds of unrecycled and incorrectly disposed plastics come from land-based sources, which eventually find their way into our oceans.

A large number of plastics in our oceans creates detrimental effects on our marine life. Plastic takes up to 500 years to fully break down and eventually fragments into smaller and smaller plastics called microplastics. There are 51 trillion microscopic pieces of plastic in the planet’s environment, this equates to roughly 500 times the number of stars in our galaxy. These microplastics are extremely harmful to our marine life, with a lot of marine creatures becoming trapped or confusing them for food; causing blockages and pain in the stomach and intestines. One in three fish caught for human consumption contains plastic- directly affecting humans. Are we eating plastic? And if so, how harmful is it to humans? In seawater, plastic absorbs crucial chemicals that have been linked to endocrine disruption and certain cancers. Regardless of whether we eat fish or not, 70% of the oxygen we breathe is produced by marine plants-which is more the reason for us to protect our marine life. For more information, take this quick quiz regarding plastic pollution:

It is clear that plastic pollution is extremely damaging to the environment, but it is impossible to remove all plastic pollution from our oceans. Only 1% of marine litter floats, with the vast majority of it sinking to the seafloor. It is also impossible to remove all microplastics from our oceans due to their microscopic nature. However, there are various ways in which we can help. For example:

Refuse plastic whenever you can- try not to use plastic straws, plastic bags, etc. Use a reusable straw, or carry a reusable coffee cup to prevent waste.
Recycle- make sure you recycle any plastics and split up your waste into different bins.
Try to buy things that aren’t in plastic packaging- for example, a lot of items are unnecessarily wrapped in plastic. Try to avoid buying these items where you can.
Buy products in bulk- this will prevent excess plastic waste.
Stop buying water- plastic bottles contribute to a large amount of plastic waste, stop throwing away plastic bottles, and switch to reusable water bottles to reduce waste.

It is clear that plastic pollution has extremely damaging effects on the environment, but becoming eco-friendlier can be a massive help. As a community, we can collectively make a significant difference and continue to make improvements in this increasingly worrying situation. The future of the planet rests on our shoulders, and the smallest of changes to everyday life can make the world of a difference.

Hiking 101: Why Hikers Should Include Trekking Poles in Their Hiking Kit

When you first start hiking, you might not have all the items you need. Nonetheless, some things are non-negotiable.

One such hiking tool that should be in your hiking kit would be trekking poles.

If you’re wondering whether you need to have trekking poles, here is a list of all the things that can convince you:

It boosts your stability and balance

One primary reason hikers include trekking poles in their kit is that it helps maintain your stability.

When you’re hiking, you shouldn’t expect to encounter paved roads and clear paths all the time. Most of the time, you might find that it’s quite the opposite.

If you want to hike in more remote places, the trails will be even more challenging. That’s why trekking poles are there to ensure that you don’t fall over while trekking.

Even when you’re hiking on relatively flat ground, sometimes, you can be off-guard and trip. With trekking poles, you’ll always find something that will help keep you stable.

It reduces lower body fatigue

When you’re hiking, you’re going to put weight on your lower body a lot, especially for your long hikes. If you don’t rest your lower body correctly, you’re going to tire it out quicker, and it will take you longer to finish the hike.

However, you don’t want to take too long or have too many stops before you’re able to reach the main stops in your trek.

Otherwise, you might find yourself hiking when the sun is down, which isn’t something you want. Instead of that, you might want to focus on reducing the instances of lower body fatigue during the hike.

Aside from regular exercise, trekking poles will be a massive help in this case. That’s because, instead of having to carry your body weight by itself, you can help spread the brunt of the weight to the hiking pole. That way, your lower body won’t tire out as fast.

It keeps your arms engaged

When you’re a hiker, people say that you can’t skip leg days because it is your leg day every day. However, the consequence of this would be that your upper body won’t have as much exercise as your lower body.

Instead of having strong legs and weak arms, you can use trekking poles to help give your arms a bit of practice as well.

Although it can’t be as full of a workout as it is for your lower body, your arms are still getting some exercise in, so it’s not so weak.

When you use trekking poles, you also allow your arms to get some circulation and prevent swelling.

It can act as protection from wild animals

When hiking, as much as possible, you should avoid any wild animals you encounter, no matter how nice and cute they may be. It’s for both the animals’ safety and yours.

However, should you find yourself in a pickle with wild animals, your trekking pole can be a valuable tool.

You can use your poles to make a loud noise, especially when you’re rounding a corner. Doing so prevents you from ambushing an animal and creating an unwanted encounter.

And if you want to make animals flee, you can also use the poles to make yourself seem larger.

It can test the depth of uncertain terrain

When you’re hiking in an environment with a lot of water or snowy terrain, you need trekking poles to ensure that you know the depths of specific areas.

Water, mud, sand, snow, and more can easily conceal the depth of what you’re stepping into. Hence, you need trekking poles to help you figure out whether it’s safe to step into something.

It can be used as a first-aid gear

You don’t want to get into an accident during your hike. However, if you find yourself needing a straight and stable stick to serve as a splint or a stretcher, your trekking poles will be useful. It’s also a huge help that the length is adjustable.

You can even use trekking poles as crutches to help support you as you walk in some cases. You need to add a bit of ingenuity with some cloth or bandages.

It can help fend off wild flora and fauna

Aside from protecting you from wild animals, you can use the trekking poles to keep all sorts of things out of your face when you’re going through a path.

For example, you can keep thick branches, ferns, and so on away from your face as you go through a track. You can also use it to keep spider webs away, so you don’t get a hug on the front from it.

It can help pitch a shelter

When you’re a lightweight backpacker, you would want to invest in multi-functional tools. This is to reduce the weight and number of items that you have to bring.

This explains why there’s growing popularity on trekking-pole reliant shelters among minimalist backpackers. These kinds of hiking shelters use trekking poles as tent poles.

It’s also helpful if you find yourself needing to stay at an emergency night out, and you have to fashion a tent out of random items available to you.

Several things are nice to have for a hike, but it’s more important to bring essential hiking items. And this includes your trekking poles. After all, it can provide a lot of things other than maintaining stability while trekking.

Outdoor Tents and Their Uses

Returning to a normal life, like the one we had pre-Covid, is on the minds of millions of Americans across the land. While we might not be able to do a lot of what we used to think of as “normal” (like going to the movies, hanging out in restaurants, etc) for a long time, one thing we can still do is go outside and spend time in nature. This benefits you and your family both mentally and physically. The fresh air, sunshine, and natural surroundings make you feel good and provide a platform for partaking in many activities. With outdoor tents, you can host small socially-distanced gatherings and have a protective cover for many events.

Eco-Friendly Materials

With an emphasis on the environment and going green, many tents today are made of high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Polyester and cotton canvas are two materials commonly found. The combination gives you weather-resistance to the elements, protecting you from rain and wind. A cotton lining provides insulation, absorbs moisture, and is breathable, making your outdoor experience comfortable. The materials are also lightweight and durable, allowing for long-term enjoyment.

Camping Trips

When it comes to a real camping experience, many people pitch a tent and set up a campfire. It’s a tradition that dates back decades. Today tents look pretty much the same as their predecessors, only modernized to accommodate lifestyle changes. Many tents today have slots for small electronic devices and built-in storage to keep your essentials safe, dry, and secure. Mesh inserts allow for improved ventilation and comfort. Optional sunroofs make gazing at the stars easier. You’ll also find most include a floor to prevent moisture and bugs from entering.

Tailgating Parties

Tailgating is something people look forward to prior to a sporting event. They get to the stadium hours before the game and set up their custom tents and more. These large pop-up tents are open, allowing people to come and go with ease while offering safe cover, which is especially beneficial during the cooler months and on rainy days. They provide a way to prepare food on the grill, set up tables, and enjoy the pre-game event in style.

Outdoor Weddings

When it comes to planning an outdoor wedding, large canopy tents are a must. Typically, found in white, they add natural beauty to the special day. Most come equipped to handle string lights and built-in wire management. If there’s wind or unexpected rain, it’s not an issue. You can set up enclosed tents with canopy sides and faux dressings to enhance the look.

Birthday Parties

Whether your child is turning 5 or a parent is turning 70, outdoor tents are a wonderful accessory for any birthday party. For a kid’s party, you can use a tent to hold the presents and cake. For an older person’s birthday celebration, you can set up a large tent or a few pop-up tents and add long tables and chairs.

Fairs/Markets

Open canopy tents offer a fantastic way to sell products at fairs and flea markets. Relatively cheap to rent, you can use one for a week or so and attract many potential customers. If you prefer to buy a tent, you can have your company name and logo added. At farmers’ markets, farmers often use these types of tents to reduce their exposure to the elements and allow customers to view their selection of produce quickly.

Music Festivals

To protect musical instruments from the elements, musicians who perform seasonal outdoor concerts in parks often use tents. They have a wide-open front that allows the audience to see them and sides that prevent rain and wind from causing harm. They are tall enough to accommodate the addition of a platform base.

Tents offer shelter from the elements, allowing you to host wonderful parties, activities, and events outside. Many are made of high-quality, eco-friendly materials to stay true to your green lifestyle and include beneficial features to make your time outdoors convenient and comfortable.

How to be an Eco Friendly Coffee Drinker

Coffee is the world’s favourite drink, and for good reason. Not only is it rich and satisfying, it possesses a seemingly magical ability to keep us awake. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the UK runs on coffee. We drink 95 million cups a day, creating 210,00 jobs and adding £9.1 billion a year to the country’s economy.

It’s not all good news though. As coffee drinking has become a worldwide craze, the environmental impacts of coffee production have also become clear. The massive global supply chain behind every cup of coffee causes pollution, deforestation and global warming to a large degree. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make your coffee habit more eco friendly.

1. Drink less coffee

This will probably not be a popular option, but it is worth mentioning. By drinking less coffee you will reduce the global demand and therefore lessen the environmental impacts of the coffee industry. However, since most of us couldn’t imagine life without coffee, we should probably consider some less extreme options.

2. Change your brewing method

Not all brewing methods are equal in terms of environmental impact. A good rule of thumb is the lower tech the better. Consider switching from an electric coffee maker to one of the simpler options such as a French press or an AeroPress. If you are craving an espresso, switch to a manual machine that uses a hand-operated lever. You could also experiment with a cold brew, thereby saving the energy needed to boil a kettle.

3. Avoid disposable cups

Single-use coffee cups are one of the most damaging aspects of the coffee industry. In 2018, UK coffee drinkers threw away 4.1 billion takeaway cups and lids. Paper cups have a plastic liner to keep them watertight, which means that they are very difficult to recycle. The printing and transportation of takeaway cups also contribute to pollution. The chemicals used in printing ink can pollute lakes and rivers, while transporting cups by road or air leads to significant CO2 emissions. By buying your own reusable mug, you can help to reduce this impact. You will also save money, as many coffee shops now offer a discount to customers who bring their own cup.

If you have no choice but to use a disposable cup, there are still eco-friendly options available. Companies such as Vegmare make plant-based disposable cups that are fully compostable.

4. Buy local coffee

The high carbon footprint of the coffee industry is mostly due to the long distances the product has to travel. Although the majority of the world’s coffee is still grown in South America, it may be possible to find coffee that has been grown closer to home. Even if the beans come from far away, choosing a local roaster will reduce the total distance the product has travelled to reach you.

5. Recycle your coffee grounds

Most of us throw our coffee grounds away, but they can be easily recycled. Adding them to your compost heap will reduce waste, and can also create a useful fertiliser for your garden. Coffee grounds also make an effective pest repellent. Sprinkling them on soil will deter ants and cats from your garden without the need for harsh chemicals.

6. Use compostable coffee pods

Coffee pods have got a bad reputation. Many people blame the rise of Nespresso and similar pod-based coffee machines for a huge increase in the drink’s environmental impact. The problem with these machines is that the pods are not biodegradable, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

Thanks to the fully biodegradable coffee pods from Halo Coffee, you can enjoy guilt-free Nespresso coffee in seconds. We believe in bringing you the world’s best coffees in a way that is best for the environment. We have scoured the globe for the finest coffees and have chosen only the richest, most unique flavours for our Halo range. Every coffee pod is ethically sourced, environmentally friendly and fully home-compostable. Halo pods will degrade completely in just four weeks, and can then be used as a nitrate-rich fertiliser for your garden. It’s not just the pods either – every part of our packaging from our boxes to our labels is fully biodegradable.

With free delivery on orders over £35, and the option to have delicious coffee delivered straight to your door with our subscription service, there’s never been a better time to discover the eco-friendly future of coffee.

Sustainable Waste Management Tips for Commercial Ventures of Any Size

Waste management is an extremely important aspect of running a business today, no matter its size. However, the bigger the establishment, the more waste it will produce, so it can be stated that bigger businesses require better and more comprehensive solutions to manage their waste effectively. On that note, let’s discuss a few tips for sustainable management of commercial waste which can help make any business not just more ecofriendly, but also more profitable.

An Audit Is Necessary for Devising the Most Feasible Plan

During an audit, the primary goals should be:

Determining whether the establishment is producing more garbage than it needs to
Determining how much waste is being produced on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis
Determining how many different types of waste are being produced by the business
Determining whether there are environmental hazards within the waste that require specialized processing to be disposed of safely
Determining if the company/unit can save money and energy by handling its garbage disposal in a more cost-efficient manner

Once the necessary data is available, it becomes much easier to devise customized trash management and disposal plan that saves money without harming the environment.

Contact a Professional Garbage Collection and Recycling Service

You will need to contact a local waste management company for roll-off container rentals anyway, but an environmentally conscious local garbage collection and recycling agency can do much more than just collect your garbage. They can help you with the auditing process, advise upon the best suited container type for your business’s waste and help the business minimize their solid waste with a rented garbage compactor of their own.

Reduction of Waste: Decrease the Total Volume of Trash

No business aims to produce waste, but it is an unavoidable byproduct. However, depending on the segment that a particular company is working in, they can take positive steps to reduce the amount of waste they produce. Since reduced waste production also means that they are using less energy and raw materials as well, this has the potential to lead to massive savings.

It would be impossible to suggest waste reduction methods without knowing what industry they are being suggested for or the nature of business. Nevertheless, the following universal pointers may have something for everybody:

Reduce paper and plastic usage as much as possible by digitizing
Adopt lean manufacturing and management methods for the reduction of waste and unnecessary costs
Train employees via a proper sustainability course to make them a part of the whole initiative

Finally, there is also the option to reduce the total amount of trash produced in a manufacturing facility by using a hired compactor. Just make sure that the employee in charge of the compactor has thee training necessary to know how to use it and what cannot be compressed by the machine. Also, the power consumed by the compactor needs to be factored in so it may be more suitable for particularly large industrial operations.

10 Easy Ways To Live a Greener & Sustainable Life

Someone once said, “We did not inherit our future from our ancestors, we have borrowed it from our children.” And it’s absolutely true. It’s crucial for us to live in a way that the planet remains viable for our future generations.

A green lifestyle is a popular way people marry the idea of living a healthier life and doing their part for the environment. In solitary, many green lifestyle changes may seem too minuscule to actually make any difference. But imagine the benefits, if each of us participated in living a greener lifestyle? The impact will certainly be noticeable.

If you’re hoping to incorporate green and sustainable changes in your everyday lifestyle, here are a few ways you can get started.

1. Switch to Renewable Energy

Conventionally, energy is generated by burning fossil fuels that increase greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The alternative is renewable energy, which is generated using solar, hydro, and wind energy. Talk to your retailer and enquire about green energy options. Origin electricity plans give users an option to source between 25% to 100% of electricity usage from renewable sources.

2. Start Composting

Start throwing all your food waste in a composting bin. Composting is an excellent way to naturally enrich the soil with nutrients. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in reducing the amount of methane and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

3. Understand Recycling

Most of us have a basic understanding of what can be recycling. Reach out to your local recycling to find out what all they accept. You may be surprised to discover that containers and bags lined with foil and polypropylene aren’t recyclable. Also, leaving food in takeaway containers is a big no-no. Make sure you remove residual food and give containers a quick wash before putting them in the recycling bin.

4. Eliminate Single-Use Plastic

There are several ways you’re using single-use plastic in your everyday life. From plastic water bottles to plastic straws, stop using single-use plastic. Start carrying a cloth grocery bag when shopping, buy a reusable water bottle, take your own cup to the coffee shop, and also get a metal straw.

5. Use Natural Cleaners

Most conventional household cleaners often contain certain chemicals that don’t break down easily. These chemicals, in turn, cause harm to aquatic life. Purchase all-natural cleaners or make your own at home. It is better for your own health as well as the environment.

6. Eat Vegan Meals

Instead of including animal products in all your meals, try opting for vegan or vegetarian meals at least once a week. Vegan meals can be just as nutritious and flavourful as their meat-filled counterparts. If you can’t do without meat or cheese, explore substitutes like Beyond Meat and nutritional yeast.

7. Buy Second-Hand

Whether you’re looking for a coffee table or clothes, check out flea markets and charity shops. You’ll find beautiful pieces at a fraction of the usual price.

8. Avoid Fast-Fashion

Fast fashion is built on the notion that products are disposable and easily replaceable. If your budget allows it, avoid fast fashion, and instead buy high-quality clothing that will last for several years.

9. Use Public Transportation

Is your city well-connected with public transportation? Then use it as your primary mode of transportation, which will reduce pollution and fuel costs. Other than this, carpooling with your co-workers is another great option.

10. Conscious Energy Use

Turn off lights and unplug vampire appliances when not in use. In addition to helping the environment, being a conscious consumer will lower your energy bills and allow greater savings.

The Bottom Line

Green lifestyle doesn’t have to be an inconvenience or expensive commitment. In fact, several sustainable changes can actually reduce your living costs. So what is holding you back?

5 Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Earth’s surface is warming and we have recorded the warmest years in the past 20 years. Seems frightening right? But what if we told you it’s possible to potentially alleviate the effects with simple changes in our lifestyle. Yes, that’s right. By tweaking small changes in our daily lives we can perform our part to reduce carbon emissions.

In this article we’ll mention 5 easily implemented tips that can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. But before stating the tips, let’s get to know what Carbon Footprint actually means.

What is Carbon Footprint?

Simply stated, your Carbon footprint is the total amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere and can be done so by individual, community or organizational activities involving dirty gas/oil methods of energy generation. On an individual basis there’s several activities performed by us which emit greenhouse gases such as driving, heating home, and more that we’ll go through within this article.

For more information on how much carbon dioxide your lifestyle emits, find a carbon footprint calculator website. By calculating your contribution to the global carbon footprint, you’ll be able to identify which lifestyle habits you might want to focus on and change.

Now, let’s talk about the 5 tips to reduce your individual carbon footprints.

5 Tips to reduce Carbon Footprints

1. The 5 R’s

Remember the 3 R’s we used to learn in school? Well, you just have to add two more R’s and you can take the first step towards lowering your carbon footprint. So in addition to reuse, reduce, and recycle, you need to add ‘refuse and rot’. Refuse the use of plastics and paper! This can be done by using reusable bags, wax clothe for food packaging, giving up the use of gum (it’s composed of mostly rubber, aka. Plastic), use Tupperware whenever you can, use a reusable coffee cup and make your own cleaning products (less plastic and less toxicity). How does one rot you ask? There’s numerous methods to rot away your waste, but the most accessible is either the vermicomposting, which involves nurturing worms to break down your waste, or the Bokashi method, which relies on bacterial fermentation.

2. Limit your electricity usage

Household electricity consumption is not even considered by most people but it is one of the biggest contributors to the global carbon footprint. Buy energy-efficient equipment by checking its energy efficient rating. Appliances with higher ratings usually cost slightly more, but in the long run they’ll save you on your bill and reduce your carbon footprint. Another good idea is to get an energy audit, contact your local electrician and they’ll measure your usage and give you methods on how to reduce your bill. If you’re finding it hard to distinguish what a reputable electrician looks like, check out Power 4 All’s website. Make sure they promote their registration license!

Lastly, clean your air conditioning unit. If your unit is older, it may be working harder than it needs to. Clean the filter (found within the unit) and remove any obstacles that may be obstructing the condenser unit (located outside your home). This can save a lot of money and help reduce your footprint.

3. A step towards Solar

Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels calls for a better and sustainable alternative. This is where solar energy comes in. Incorporating a solar PV system in your household results in a whopping 80% lower carbon emission than fossil fuels. Reducing bills and saving the earth at the same time couldn’t be easier.

4. Reduce driving

Your casual drive on the weekend can have more effect on the climate than you can imagine. We suggest going for a walk instead or maybe cycling, or even choose public transport. In this way you can be a part of the government’s efforts too. This is because in the US alone, public transports save 37 million tons of carbon emission every year.

5. Eat less meat

For those who’ve managed to go vegan – well done! You’re doing great to reduce the carbon emissions associated with agriculture and livestock production. But for those who find it difficult to alter your diet, just by reducing your meat intake slightly, you can contribute to decreasing the global carbon footprint. This can seem almost impossible, but by dipping into various other foods that contain protein (such as lentils, beans, cottage cheese, nuts, seeds, and my favourite – greek yogurt), it can be highly sustainable and enjoyable!

Conclusion

We hope you found these tips helpful. These tips are the epitome of how a simple change included in your routine can lead to significant improvements to our planet’s sustainability. By incorporating these tips into your lifestyle you can lead a more satisfying and clean existence!

What Equipment Do You Need for a Solar Power System

Renewable energy sources are the future. There’s no way around it anymore – fossil fuels have made such a negative impact on the environment that we simply can’t ignore the multitude of ecological disasters that are currently affecting the planet. Global warming is rampant and the oil industry is becoming more corrupt each day.

Fortunately, people are becoming more aware of the issue and are now ready to repair the damage by investing in renewable energy and living their life more conscientiously.

This is where solar power comes in. As one of the cleanest, most sustainable energy sources available to humans, it’s set to expand and become widely used in the next few decades.

If you want to prepare for the future and start using solar energy on time, here’s what you need.

Solar panels

Solar panels are the things you see on top of people’s rooftops. They serve to catch the sun’s energy so that you could use it later, and they are the key component of any solar system. There are two types of panels: monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. Monocrystalline panels are more expensive than polycrystalline ones, but they’re also more efficient.

How many solar panels you need to get really depends on several factors:

● Where you live

● How much sunlight you get during the day

● The size of your roof

● The amount of energy your household needs

● How efficient your solar panels are.

In countries like Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia, there are efforts to shift to renewable energy as soon as possible, and the solar industry is growing at a breakneck pace. Since these countries get plenty of daily sunlight, solar panels are being installed on top of both commercial and residential buildings. Depending on where you live, you can check whether your city is preparing similar initiatives, and whether you could get some tax benefits for installing a solar system in your home.

Solar inverter

Without an inverter, solar energy will be useless to you. Solar energy produces direct current (DC) and our homes use alternating current (AC) – it’s the role of an inverter to change DC to usable AC.

There are all sorts of inverters, and which one you choose will depend on what you can afford. In Asian countries like Hong Kong and Vietnam, the SMA Sunny Boy inverter is one of the most popular products because it has a great balance of price and value. It’s important to get a good inverter that will allow for smooth energy conversion and easy use.

Solar racking

Solar panels aren’t simply glued to the rooftop – they need a racking system. They are mounted on the racks that can then be angled on your roof to get the optimal energy levels from sun exposure. You want to make sure your solar racking is sturdy and made of quality materials that can handle weight.

Solar storage

Solar power doesn’t work only when it’s sunny outside – with the use of batteries, the energy you gather can be stored for later use, for example during the night. Solar batteries are usually stackable, which means you can stack more than one in your solar system, and good batteries will have a good balance between power and capacity.

A low capacity but high power battery can keep your entire house running for a few hours. A high capacity but low power battery can keep it running for a longer time, but you’d be able to use less electricity.

Solar performance monitoring

You want to know how your solar system is doing. A performance monitoring panel can show you how much power you’re generating, how much power you’re spending, and point out any flaws in performance. If something goes wrong, this is the first thing you should look at to find the cause.

Solar system cost

Right now, it’s not cheap. The exact price depends on factors like the size of your house, the climate you live in, and the number of panels you need, and you’ll also need to find experts who can actually install the system and rewire your entire house to make it run smoothly.

However, while it does require a hefty investment, solar systems tend to pay themselves off over the years. You’ll cut down on utility bills immensely, and it’s also entirely possible you’ll get some tax benefits from the government.

A solar system can be a part of a perfect family home if you’re ready to shift to green energy. The world is ready to invest in renewable energy sources, and if you jump on the train early, you’ll be able to contribute more to the preservation of the environment.