Becoming eco-friendly. What's that about?

I didn’t find a robust definition for becoming eco-friendly, so I created my own.

Let’s dive in.

Becoming eco-friendly: the process of being aware of the impact of human activities on the environment, taking action to reduce environmental harm, and transforming those actions into habits.

Let’s break it down.

Be aware of the impact of human activities on the environment

Continue learning about the climate crisis.

Here’s the gist - the earth is heating up because we are using fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas wayyyyy too much. It’s messing up weather patterns – think more or longer flooding, heat waves, fires, storms and droughts. It’s also making other things worse – think more health issues, poverty and displacement! And…it’s because of us. (Yikes)

Take action to reduce environmental harm

Those who have mo’ money cause mo’ problems, particularly in wealthy nations.

Our lifestyle is wreaking havoc on the planet: gas-guzzling cars, energy inefficient and supersized homes, wasting food, eating too much meat, overconsuming…the list goes on. According to the United Nations, around two thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to private households. Shocking, I know. So, there is a lot that can be done. Here are a few examples: save energy at home, use public transit, walk, bike, reduce food waste, eat more veggies, consume less, speak up and get politically active.

Transform actions into habits.

Can’t stop. Won’t stop. Can’t get enough.

Identify and take action towards supporting a liveable world for all of us and repeat.

What this means to me?

This definition acts as a guide to live more sustainably and to transform from within. I look forward to seeing how this shift in my mindset and behaviour changes me and enriches my perspective.

I’m all in!

References

1. United Nations (n.d.). What Is Climate Change? United Nations Climate Action. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change

2. NASA (n.d.). The Effects of Climate Change. Global Climate Change Vital Signs of the Planet. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

3. United Nations (n.d.). Causes and Effects of Climate Change. United Nations Climate Action. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change

4. United Nations (n.d.). Emissions Gap Report 2020. United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.unep.org/interactive/emissions-gap-report/2020/

5. United Nations (n.d.). Towards a Net-zero Future, The UN Campaign for Individual Action. Act Now. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/actnow