Los Angeles is known as a car city, but that doesn’t mean LA and other counties in Southern California can’t practice sustainability. Sustainability is a way to meet our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In simple terms, if we can all find ways to protect our earth and maintain ecological balance by doing our part. There are many effective and simple ways to reduce our carbon footprint while still following our same routines and not giving up on things you enjoy. All it takes is small, simple changes or purchases that make an enormous difference for our environment. While you feel good about saving our earth, here are a few ways you can practice sustainability.
Public Transportation Or Biking
Maybe you don’t want to give up your car entirely, especially since it saves you time getting to work each day. However, for the grocery store down the street or traveling to a baseball game or large event–it may be a good idea to take advantage of public transportation. Avoid sitting in traffic for a Dodgers game by taking the Metro to Union Station. It is also cheaper and less of a hassle. Biking to your friend’s house down the road or to the grocery store is also an excellent option. Best part is that biking is good for your health and allows you to get some fresh air and sunshine!
Purchase An Electric Car
Tesla electric cars are being purchased more and more. Although the initial payment for the car is expensive, you are saving thousands of dollars in gas along with the benefits for the environment. Additionally, Tesla charging stations are easy to use and functional for indoor and outdoor use. Electric cars are extremely beneficial to the environment because almost all of US electricity is produced from domestic sources, including renewable sources. They also don’t pump fumes into the air like gas engines do. Overall. By purchasing an electric car, you are doing a major service to the environment.
Say No To Plastics
California has already banned single-use plastics such as straws or plastic utensils. Restaurants are not allowed to give them out unless a customer specifically asks. This is just one initiative created to reduce plastic waste. Although this is helpful to reduce waste, there are other ways we can all personally reduce our plastic use. For example, using a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing plastic water bottles. There are options like Hydroflask which are sturdy and easy to bring along on your travels or various destinations. Another idea is to use reusable grocery bags when you go to the store.
Purchase Sustainable Products
There are brands available at nearly every grocery and retail store that are sustainable. You can even choose cleaning products and shampoos that are better for the environment. Other things like non-toxic nail polish is also a great sustainable choice. In particular, the choices you make in food are extremely important, as agriculture plays a major role in pollution. We won’t tell you to go vegan, but choosing products that are grass-fed or organic are a wonderful choice! Overall, check your labels and do your research.
Start A Garden
With the amount of sunshine that Southern California gets, if you have the space for a garden, why not do it? With the pandemic still taking a toll on how much we stay at home, what better time to start growing your own vegetables. Growing your own garden can not only save you money but it can reduce food waste. There are options for apartments where you can get creative like a window sill garden.
Turn Off Your Faucet
We can all do our part to reduce our water usage. You can actually save up to 8 gallons of water a day by shutting off the faucet when you brush your teeth. Simple water-reducing tasks like taking short showers add up to make a big difference in the community and our world.
Go Paperless
Thanks to technology we have an easier time going paperless than ever before. Bank statements and bills typically have the option for you to go paperless by paying online or receiving your statements through your account. This will save paper every month.
