Tips on How to Reduce Ecological Footprints 

If you’ve been looking for ways to reduce the ecological footprints, we will like to commend you. 

This is because we desperately need to be conscious about the environment and it means so much to us that you care about sustainability. 

The world is concerned about the climate and there are non-governmental organizations clamoring for the need to protect the environment. Human activities and technology are some of the things that are putting the environment in jeopardy. Talk about air pollution, ozone depletion, animal cruelty, and waste disposal. The list is endless when it comes to things that are affecting the environment negatively. 

It is everyone´s responsibility to ensure that they do their best in making the environment sustainable. Here are a few tips on how to reduce your ecological footprints. Just before we just in, let’s fist if all familiarize ourselves with the term ecological footprint. 

What are Ecological Footprints?

Simply put, an ecological footprint is used to refer to our individual and collective impact on the environment. It is measured in the amount of land (area) that is required to sustain the production of goods and accumulation of waste. 

You can also refer to it as the portion of the environment that is needed to produce the goods and services required to promote survival. Every single one of us has an ecological footprint. This is because we all contribute individually to what goes on in the environment. 

Why You Should Be Concerned about the Environment

Like we have mentioned before, it is our collective responsibility to protect the environment. We don’t have to leave it to the government agencies or organizations. It requires the input of every living being to make the world a better place. The world’s resources are being utilized at an alarming rate and there are concerns about the safety of our planet in years to come. We consume everything from water to energy, and we need to start thinking of ways to prevent our resources from running dry. 

If you are still contemplating about it, here are a few reasons why you need to care about the environment 

  • A clean environment promotes healthy living: all the toxins and contaminants in the environment do nothing but pollute it. They make it difficult to support the lives of humans, animals, plants, and even the micro-organisms. Air pollution is one of the factors that encourage heart problems, bronchitis, asthma attacks, and premature death. 
  • There is an increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere: the increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere is one of the main problems associated with global warming. This results in dangerous weather such as storms experienced in parts of the world.  If nothing is done to curb the menace, global warming could have a negative effect on human health, wildlife, agriculture, water resources, and forests. 
  • It’s the right thing to do: it is the responsibility of every one of us to protect the environment for the future generation. If you want your future generation to have an earth they can call home, then you need to start today by reducing your ecological footprints. 

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Tips on How to Reduce your Ecological Footprints

Now that we have defined what ecological footprint is and why you should be concerned about the environment, we will now share a few tips on how you can make the world a lot more habitable. 

Cultivate Energy Saving Habits

You can reduce your ecological footprint by adopting energy-saving habits. These include small changes such as 

  • Unplugging your electronics when they are not in use. You can make use of a power strip instead to reduce electric discharge.
  • Defrost your freezers and refrigerators regularly. This helps to save electric current and gas spent in refrigeration. 
  • Reduce how you use up the air conditioner especially in summer. You can also reduce the thermostat (keep it low) during cold winter weather. 
  • Use natural methods to dry your clothes instead of tumble dryers. They use up a lot of power which you can save by simply spreading your clothes out on a line for sun drying. 

Improve your Home with Energy Saving Features 

There are energy-saving features you can try out to help reduce the planet’s dependence on energy. They include 

  • Use energy-saving bulbs and lamps in your home. you should also try your best to dispose of used bulbs safely
  • Try to make use of energy-efficient appliances in your home. This you can do by making use of low flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads. 
  • Buy recycled or second-hand furniture. This saves the need for cutting timber for use in making furniture. 
  • Use biodegradable or non-toxic products. This could include cleaning products that are not toxic to your health and the environment. 
  • Insulate your walls and ceilings or make use of double panel windows. 

Tips on How to Reduce Ecological Footprint

Switch to a Cleaner Transportation System

Exhaust fumes are one of the things that contribute to environmental pollution and you can reduce it greatly by switching to a cleaner transport system. This you can do by 

  • Choose other transportation means instead of driving your gasoline vehicle. Take the bus, train, or ride a bike. This helps to reduce your ecological footprints since you don’t contribute to environmental pollution by driving your car. 
  • Drive a smaller vehicle if you must use your car daily or often. This is because cars with smaller engines are more energy-efficient compared to the bigger ones. 
  • Take a bus or train instead of flying. The co2 emissions from airplanes leave poisonous gases in the atmosphere. 
  • Reduce your vehicle emissions by ensuring you service your car regularly. 

Reduce the Amount of Water you Use

You can also reduce your ecological footprints by reducing the amount of water you consume. This you can do by simply 

  • Shower frequently and don’t stay in there for too long. This helps to save the water and energy that is used in heating it. 
  • Use the washing machine and dishwasher only when you need to. 
  • Wash your car less often. Only when you need to. 
  • Plant crops and grasses that tolerate drought in your garden or lawn. 
  • Reduce the amount of water you waste on washing your deck, driveways, and walkways. 

Tips on How to Reduce Ecological Footprint

Reduce the Use of Disposable Plastic 

Plastic is one of the materials that don’t get decomposed when they end up in landfills. This means that it is still possible to find plastic waste from decades ago in perfect condition. Reduce your dependency on single-use plastic by purchasing reusable shopping bags, water bottles, plastic containers, and cups. 

Reduce your Waste 

This is one of the effective methods you can use in reducing your ecological footprints. You can reduce your waste by 

  • Composting kitchen waste 
  • Recycling used clothes 
  • Recycling paper waste 
  • Recycle plastic waste such as bottles and cups

 

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Una publicación compartida por Rachael + Scott Johnston (@plantedinthewoods) el 31 de Dic de 2018 a las 9:24 PST

There are numerous methods you can adopt to reduce your ecological footprints. But these are the six best ones we recommend you should try out starting today. Do you recycle your waste? Which of the methods above have you tried before? We will like to hear from you in the comment section.