Written by: Giulia Simolo
Often it’s during our spare time that we think the most about how to improve our environment and make a difference in the world. So spare a thought for the kinds of hobbies that you partake in. You might not realise that some hobbies could be adding strain to the earth’s resources instead of making things better.
Activities such as playing video games and using the computer for extended hours a day increase the amount of electricity you are consuming, thus putting pressure on the earth’s resources. Try to limit your time using electricity and do something more earth friendly!
Take stock of your hobbies
Don’t assume that spending time outdoors, engaging in activities like golf or photography, means that you are living according to green rules. For instance, did you know that regular golfers who use the cart to get around the field instead of walking are increasing their carbon footprints? In a similar vein, if you’re camera happy, using regular film is bad for the environment because it releases toxins during the development process. So, it’s worth taking stock of your current hobbies and finding out how you can make them more eco-friendly than they are. For instance, if you like to golf, try to walk the field instead of notching up carbon footsteps by using a cart. If you’re a photographer, ensure you go digital as this doesn’t result in the release of toxins.
Current hobbies aside, if you’re looking for a new activity and you’d like to choose one that is kind to the environment as well as yourself, here are some options:
Walk the walk
If you want to start leading a healthier lifestyle, with more exercise in your daily routine, then walking or running are great ways to lower your carbon footprint while you’re getting healthy. Try to find ways you could get moving instead of relying on your car for short trips. For instance, if you need to pop down to the shop a few roads away, don’t use your car for the short distance. Rather strap on your sneakers and jog there and back.
Go to the garden
Start your own vegetable garden! It sounds like a mission, but it’s really easy once you get into it. It’s a great way to reconnect with the power of nature, save money on grocery shopping and ensure that you are giving your family a more nutritious lifestyle. Using the earth’s resources instead of letting the land go to waste is definitely a green endeavour worth trying.
Add some creativity
If you’re creative and you love activities such as scrapbooking, why not make it a new rule to use only recycled materials? This will open up a whole new area of being creative and make you feel good to know that you’re not letting any materials go to waste.
Put your name on a cause
A hobby is something that you should enjoy doing, something that makes you feel good. With the eco-friendly spirit in mind, a green hobby should also make you feel that you’ve done something good for the environment at the end of the day. So why not become a volunteer? Join a cause that means something to you or even just take the lead and start your own cause! For instance, if there’s a lot of litter in your community or you would like to make the neighbourhood safer for the many kids that live in the area, why not try to get the support of others and brainstorm ways to improve the situation? Making a difference is always an ego boost and kindness has a multiplying effect – the more of it you spread, the more you want to do. It’s also a good way to give back to the planet and community which give to us daily.
The liveeco team
