JANUARY – Review, order, repair, and reuse
Taking advantage of the beginning of the year, when we usually put our lives in order and set goals, it could be an excellent opportunity to organize everything we have at home. What do you need from all you have? Starting a more minimalist life, which requires fewer things, is a way of living sustainably. Also, reviewing makes you take into account what you save before buying new things. Remember that you have them and, if necessary, repair them to avoid continuing to consume new ones and choose to reuse them.
FEBRUARY – Reduce electricity costs
There are different ways to reduce electricity consumption and/or bet on green energy offered by different companies and energy cooperatives. Installing a smart meter to manage and reduce carbon emissions may be one idea. During the winter, regulating the thermostat is a way to moderate electricity consumption and CO2 emissions. It is recommended to set the thermostat to 20 – 21ºC, draw the curtains and lower the blinds at night to conserve heat. Another idea is to combine heating with warm clothing that allows you to be comfortable and warm at home.
MARCH – Eat more plant foods
Everything that involves the consumption of meat, from breeding to reaching the establishment, supposes an enormous cost for the planet, especially for the land necessary to raise and cultivate its feed, be it soybeans, corn, or grass. It is a major cause of habitat destruction, water consumption and pollution, deforestation, and wildlife extinction. It is advisable for the care of the planet, and individual and animal health, to reduce meat consumption and consume more plant foods. Not only does it limit the ecological footprint, but it also has health benefits.
APRIL – Betting on green cleaning and sustainable cosmetic products
Product for windows, floors, tile joints, bathroom, kitchen marble, furniture, sofa, terrace… To enjoy a clean home, it seems that we must have a wide range of cleaning products that, in the vast majority of cases, contain toxic substances that are harmful to the health of humans and the planet. Baking soda and vinegar are natural alternatives. We can find lines of environmentally responsible cleaning products with pleasant smells. The same applies to cosmetics, toiletries, and make-up that are sustainable, are not harmful to the skin and the body, and are not tested on animals.
MAY – Reduce paper consumption
Do you still ask for paper invoices? Did you know that the vast majority of companies already offer the option of receiving receipts by email or through an app? Disabling the reception of paper correspondence can be a good option to save paper and take care of the environment. You also have in your hands the possibility of reducing this waste of paper at work, choosing options in digital format that facilitate the organization. Another option is to use recycled paper, and print by reusing paper or double-sided printing.
JUNE – Shorter showers
As National Geographic magazine explains, despite calling it the “Blue Planet”, less than 1% of the Earth’s water is fresh and accessible. More and more countries are prone to water stress, especially when climate change is a clear and present danger. In 2017, several countries around the world, such as Spain, experienced one of the most severe droughts in its history. With our actions, we can reduce water consumption and conserve water reserves. A 5-minute shower uses about 45 liters of water. The independent NGO, Waterwise, offers more advice on how to reduce water consumption.
JULY – Environmentally responsible sunscreen
Summer is coming and the market offers you an endless number of products to protect your skin from the sun. Some of the ingredients of these cosmetics harm the waters of seas and rivers. They damage ecosystems, flora, and fauna. Therefore, it is advisable to select those sunscreens that are environmentally responsible in order to take care of the environment, since they fulfill the function of protecting the skin and at the same time not harming the planet. It’s a win-win.
AUGUST – Reduce waste
Single-use items arrived in the 1950s and, since then, they have not ceased to be used, generating large amounts of waste. What items could we stop using and replace them with others that have a longer use? Little by little, we realize that, although it is not possible with all utensils, it is possible with most of them. In turn, to take care of the environment, we should recycle as much as we can, as not all materials and plastics are recyclable.
SEPTEMBER – Sharing travels
September is here, the summer vacations are over for many people and, with it, the return to work. If you drive to work, have you considered carpooling with your colleagues? There are more and more apps to share daily commutes, even medium and long distances. You can take care of the environment by sharing rides, saving money, and reducing your carbon footprint.
OCTOBER – Consuming local food
Buying local food in markets or small stores in your neighborhood is a way to be responsible and take care of the environment, betting on local consumption, supporting local businesses or kilometer 0 and farmers. In addition, saving resources such as the fuel used to transport these foods.
NOVEMBER – Avoiding food waste
Globally, an estimated 931 million tons of food went to waste in households, restaurants, and retailers in 2019, equivalent to 17% of the total food available to consumers. With organization, planning of weekly shopping and menus, good food preservation, and cooking other dishes with leftovers, we avoid food ending up in the garbage.
DECEMBER – Helping and Protecting Animals
Currently, nearly 40% of the planet’s animal species are in danger of disappearing. Furthermore, the relationship that exists between animals and humans, although improving, is still not sufficiently respectful and the abandonment of animals is a clear example. There are many ways to protect animals, care for them and treat them with respect. Donations to nature reserves and NGOs, volunteering and collaborating with local animal shelters, adopting, being a foster home for animals, or denouncing animal abandonment and mistreatment are some examples of being respectful and committed to animals.