When you are not green-minded, does this make you feel guilty? You could be suffering from green guilt. The next time you feel down that you’re not doing enough, here’s how you can actually use the guilt in a green way, and feel grand!
What is green guilt?
Green guilt (or eco guilt) is feeling guilty that you are not doing enough eco-friendly things to help the planet. You’re not alone if you ever feel that twang of guilt when you don’t recycle or you eat beef! But there are ways to deal with it and prevent it from striking.
First, de-guilt yourself!
Guilt doesn’t always have to be a negative thing. By feeling it for the environment, it can be a great motivator to help you make a difference. But that said, you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself when it comes to your efforts. Stop feeling so guilty! Although it’s a good thing to want to make a difference in the world, gain some perspective: you cannot change the world on your own. However, that doesn’t mean that your singular efforts are not a big help.
If being greener feels overwhelming with all the tips and advice we receive on a daily basis, start small. Here are five little things that are actually really crucial to helping the environment.
Don’t purchase anything!
Although we’re always told of things we need to do in order to live greener, an equally important task is what we don’t do. Try not to shop! It sounds easier said than done when there are always so many things to purchase for the home or our families, but try to shop wiser when you do and have days when you don’t buy anything. Try to purchase groceries in bulk to prevent excess packaging of items that can lead to waste, and plan your shopping according to your needs. For one day a week, leave your Visa card at home, stay away from online shopping websites and avoid splurging on items that leave you with less money and more waste. That one day of no shopping will add up to thirty days – an entire month of saving!
Be kind to water
According to the United Nations, a whopping 95 percent of cities worldwide still dump raw sewage into their water supplies. The result? 80 percent of illnesses in developing countries are linked to unsanitary water. Water is such a sacred resource, so make a point of not wasting it. By reducing how much water you use, you lower the amount of water that flows into the sewage treatment system. Only use the water you need. For instance, have a shower instead of a bath that wastes water unnecessarily; turn off the tap when brushing your teeth; use extra water in the garden so as not to waste it. Also, don’t do anything that will contaminate the water supplies, such as pouring paint, polish or any toxic substances down the drain.
Eat locally grown food
This is a huge benefit to the environment. You support local farmers and merchants in the community, which helps to give them a boost. If you are eating what is found locally, you also reduce the amount of fuel that is used to transport the ingredients, fruits and vegetables to you, as well as the air pollution that occurs as a result from all this buzz.
This tip is easier to achieve than it sounds – from now on simply purchase local items instead of imported alternatives. When eating out, ask the waiter for information about how products used in the creation of your meals are sourced so that you can make the greenest, most locally sourced option.
Cut out meat once a week
Eating just one less hamburger than you usually do can make a huge difference. To make one hamburger, it takes between 4000 and 18000 gallons of water. The amount varies depending on the different conditions used in the raising of cows, however a large amount of water is required to grow grain, forage and roughage to feed these animals. If you don’t want to give up meat completely, cutting out a hamburger here or there goes a long way to alleviate CO2 emissions and relieve the strain that is placed on our natural resources.
Drive your car to a mechanic
It’s not always practical to leave your car at home and walk, so don’t berate yourself for not doing this as much as you should. What you can do, however, is try to make your car as green as possible. Instead of buying an eco-friendly vehicle, keep your current one but make sure that it’s in great shape. A looked-after car that goes for regular services saves you on petrol costs and also creates less pollution because it runs effectively.
