Over the past few years, most people I’ve spoken to have become (or already were) environmentally conscious to some degree. What often begins simply as saving money - such as reducing the amount of electricity you use - turns out to have quite a positive impact. If, however, you want to do even more; there are several things you can do. Here are just 7 lifestyle changes which will help the environment.
1. Use the car less. This is perhaps the simplest change in this list - reduce the time you spend behind the wheel. In addition to the environmental benefits of doing this, you’ll probably find that you become slightly fitter; and have more money in your pocket at the end of the week. In short, there’s no downside. How do you do this? Here are a few suggestions :
- for short journeys, walk
- if possible, work from home (at least some of the time)
- create a car pool with workmates
- make use of public transport occasionally
- bike to work
2. Reduce your intake of red meat. Common sources of red meat such as cows and bulls produce an enormous quantity of climate-changing gases such as methane. Now, I’m certainly not suggesting that you should become vegetarian - I enjoy a good steak as much as any other omnivore - simply that a slight reduction can have a dramatic effect. As a bonus, there are a number of well-documented health benefits of a diet containing only a small amount of red meat.
3. Become a ‘green consumer‘. When shopping for any sort of product - anything from groceries to a new television - take a moment to weigh up the options. If there are alternatives, consider which product has the lowest impact on the environment. Things to look out for :
- does the item come in easily-recyclable packaging?
- have the goods been recently produced? Locally?
- is the item energy or water efficient?
By favoring the products which answer ‘yes‘ to these questions, producers and manufacturers will gradually take up ‘green‘ practices in order to remain competitive.
4. Become ‘carbon neutral‘ using offsets as necessary. This is something that nearly everyone can take advantage of. Become as close to ‘carbon neutral‘ as possible; purchasing carbon offsets as necessary. In effect, you’ll be investing in a number of sustainable energy and water schemes. NB : if you’re looking for a slightly more direct investment approach, read on.
5. Invest in companies researching and producing renewable energy. Want to make some serious money, and help the environment at the same time? Invest in companies which are researching, producing and selling energy-efficient and water-efficient goods. Think wind farms, solar panels and electric cars. This is one area in which financial reward and environmental impact can have an enormous overlap.
6. Share your ‘green’ ideas with others. Over the past century or so, global communications has grown in many, many ways. This has made it possible to share ideas and discoveries at an incredible rate. Here are just a few of the ways in which you can share your thoughts with others :
- create a blog which documents the energy-conserving changes you make in your own home
- establish a not-for-profit group which teaches others how to live sustainably
- create a recycling collective with your neighbors, where each person is responsible for the collection and recycling of a particular material or product
NB : naturally there are a great many others. If you’ve developed or are aware of a scheme which is working well, be sure to leave a comment below. I’d love to hear about it.
7. Become politically active. If you’ve ever heard someone say ‘the government should do this‘ then this one’s for you. By becoming involved in politics - at any level with which you feel comfortable - you are able to help guide people to an incredible goal. Rather than sitting back and waiting for someone else to take action, make your own voice heard.
Final thoughts on lifestyle changes which will help the environment
Want more? Well, there’s one change you can make which will incorporate many of the items noted above - support those who are already making a difference. When your neighbor approaches you to discuss their own ideas for a recycling collective, or a workmate suggests a car pool; dive in. It really will make an impact.
译文:
有助环保的7种生活方式
在过去的几年里，大部分和我聊过天的人都在一定程度上变得（或者本来就）有环境意识。通常我们会从简单的事情下手，比如省钱，比如减少电量的使用，仅如此就能产生非常积极的影响。然而，如果你想做的更好，那就可以在另一些事情上采取行动。以下7种生活方式的改变将有助于改善环境。
1. 少用车。减少你坐在轮子上面的时间，这也许是这份单子上最简单的改变。这样做除了对环境有利外，
你还可能发现自己变得更健康了，甚至到了周末，还会发现口袋里多了些零钱。简而言之，这有百利而无一害。那具体该怎么做呢？这里有一些建议：
·对短途而言，请步行
·如果可能的话，在家工作（至少偶尔）
·和同事拼车
·偶尔乘坐公共交通
·骑车去工作
2. 少吃红色肉类。通常的红肉源比如奶牛和公牛会排出大量影响气候的气体，比如甲烷。在这里，我绝不是建议你变成素食者，因为我同任何不偏食的人一样喜欢吃上等的牛排，我只是建议稍微的减少一点食用量，如此一来就会带来巨大的效果。这样做还有额外的好处，因为少吃红肉有利于健康已经得到充分证实。
3. 成为一个"绿色消费者"。买任何一类的产品时，无论日用百货还是新式电视机，请花一些时间来权衡你的选择。如果还有其他的选择，请考虑那些对环境影响最低的产品。值得留意的方面有：
·这件产品的包装容易回收吗？
·这些货物是最近生产的吗？是当地产的吗？
·这件产品节能或者节水吗？
如果人们倾向于选择对以上问题说“是”的产品，那么生产商和制造商为了保持他们的竞争力，就会渐渐开始注重绿色生产。
4. 尽可能使用‘自然碳(碳中和)’产品。这些产品几乎能被所有人利用。尽可能利用‘自然碳（碳中和）’产品，尽可能的购买碳类产品。这样做的作用是，你将会很大数量的投资到可持续发展能源及水能计划中。注：如果你想找更直接一点的投资途径，请读下文。
照片由Jasmic提供
5. 投资给研究和生产可持续能源的公司。想在赚钱的同时改善环境吗？投资那些正在研究，生产，销售节能，节水型产品的公司。比如风力发电，太阳能电池以及电车。这是一个经济回报和环境影响相融合的领域。
6. 与他人分享你的“绿色”想法。在过去的几个世纪里，新增了许多全球交流的方式。这使得人们能以难以置信的速度分享想法与发现。下面仅是一部分你可以同他人分享想法的方式。
·建立一个关于你家乡能源存储变化的博客
·建立一个非盈利的团体，教导他人如何可持续发展地生活
·和邻居一起建立一个回收团体，其中的每一个成员负责收集和回收一种特殊的材料或产品。
注：自然还有很多其他的方法。如果你已经养成了或者意识到了另一种可以生效的方式，请一定在下面留下评论，我很乐意看到它们。
7. 潜意识里变地积极。如果你曾经听到有人说“政府需要做这个”那么这个人就是对你有用。以任何你觉得合适的程度参与到政策中，就能够帮助引导人们达成一个不可思议的目标。与其坐在后面等待别人采取行动，不如让别人看到你的行动。
最后一些有助于环保的生活方式。
想要更多？好，这里有个和以上提到的都不一样的改变 - 支持那些已经有变化的人们。当你的邻居呼吁你一同来讨论他们有关回收的主意，或者一个同事建议搭车，那么，加入他们。这些真的会有效果。
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Scott Bird是一名作者兼减肥狂热者，来自于澳大利亚的阳光悉尼。他平时除了游逛二手书店，就是在“Straight to the Bar”进行力量训练。
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