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Nature is vital to our overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally. Being in nature, whether by a beach, or your local park, or your very own backyard, is a great way to connect to earth. Nature provides us with everything we need to survive

·         Support local wildlife and encourage nature to grow, from beach cleans to urban gardens

·         Support local initiatives that protect and restore nature

·         Discover nature all around with our free wildlife ID app - Seek

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Repair Instead of Replace

We live for quick buys and getting the best deals. The issue is that we usually get the latest and greatest instead of taking care of the products that we already have. This can be said about anything from the clothes we wear, our mobile devices, and even our appliances at home.

Buy higher quality products and take care of them so they last longer. If something breaks down or rips, get it repaired. You may find yourself saving a lot of money on all the items you may have otherwise purchased new.

Lastly, if you must get something replaced, make sure to recycle your old product (or donate it to a second-hand store) to give it a new life.

Now that we have shared ways to reduce ecological footprint, it’s your turn to take action. Start implementing these ideas today to reduce your ecological footprint and environmental impact.

Don’t forget to spread the news!

By spreading the knowledge, we can all work towards sustainability!

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Your ecological footprint is the impact of your lifestyle choices or activities measured in terms of the land required to sustain your use of natural resources.

If everyone on Earth lived like the average citizen of the Western hemisphere, we would need 4 Earths worth of land to sustain humanity (BBC). This is very telling of the changes that need to be made in the United States (and the western world) to reduce our ecological footprint.

Conserving Energy is very important

There are many ways to conserve energy to reduce your ecological footprint. Here are just a few simple things you can do at home to save energy:

Slay Energy Vampires:

According to House Method, energy vampires are household items that (while plugged in) consume energy while not in use.

Fortunately, it’s easy to reduce this type of energy wastage, for example, by unplugging electronics when not in use, or by using a programmable (scheduled) power bar.

Adjust your Thermostat

Instead of blasting your heating during the winter, try wearing warmer clothes inside to save energy. You can also use a smart thermostat to control the temperature in your home when you’re away to save energy.

Use energy-efficient light bulbs

LEDs are a lot more energy-efficient than traditional CFL or incandescent light bulbs. Consider switching to LEDs, and you’ll not only save energy, but money too!

Save money and the environment by conserving energy whenever you can. Your wallet and the Earth will thank you!

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Your ecological footprint is the impact of your lifestyle choices or activities measured in terms of the land required to sustain your use of natural resources.

If everyone on Earth lived like the average American, we would need 4 Earths worth of land to sustain humanity ( BBC). This is very telling of the changes that need to be made in the United States (and the western world) to reduce our ecological footprint.

So, how exactly can you reduce your ecological footprint? Here are 11 simple and effective ways to start reducing your ecological footprint:

1. Get Rid of Single-Use Plastic

Most plastic is non-compostable and non-biodegradable. That means every plastic item in existence will exist almost indefinitely on Earth. This includes plastic items like bags, bottles, utensils, straws, and other items.

By reducing your use of single-use plastics like plastic straws and plastic bags, you can prevent plastics from entering the landfill.

You'll also reduce your personal consumption and subsequently your ecological footprint, in the form of the energy and raw materials used in producing the plastic products.

It is extremely easy to remove single-use plastics from your life. For example, instead of using disposable plastic bags, use reusable ones. Instead of using plastic straws, just drink directly from a cup, or buy a reusable metal straw as an alternative.

2. Consider Renewable Energy

Renewable energy doesn't emit greenhouse gases into the air (for the most part) and they have a much smaller carbon and ecological footprint than fossil fuel alternatives like oil. If feasible in your area, consider getting solar panels (or other types of renewable energy) for your home.

Did you know that many electric companies will actually offer you a discount on your electric bill and even give you a refund if you use solar energy? Be it solar or wind energy, there are many different and accessible ways to use renewable energy right in your own home.

Try contacting your local utility company to see what offerings they have and how to get solar panels installed in your home. Usually, your electric company can give you the information on what types of discounts and incentives they offer for using renewable energy and will then point you in the direction of solar panel installation companies to purchase your solar panels.

3. Conserve Energy

There are many ways to conserve energy to reduce your ecological footprint. Here are just a few simple things you can do at home to save energy:

Slay Energy Vampires

According to House Method, energy vampires are household items that (while plugged in) consume energy while not in use.

The Department of Energy ran an experiment to measure the amount of electricity plugged-in devices use when "off". The results may surprise you.

Fortunately, it's easy to reduce this type of energy wastage, for example, by unplugging electronics when not in use, or by using a programmable (scheduled) power bar.

Adjust your Thermostat

Instead of blasting your heating during the winter, try wearing warmer clothes inside to save energy.

You can also use a smart thermostat to control the temperature in your home when you're away to save energy.

Use energy-efficient light bulbs

LEDs are a lot more energy-efficient than traditional CFL or incandescent light bulbs. Consider switching to LEDs, and you'll not only save energy, but money too!

Save money and the environment by conserving energy whenever you can. Your wallet and the Earth will thank you!

4. Eat Less Meat, and More Plant-Based Foods

The type of food you eat can have a large impact on the environment. The ecological footprint of meat products is, in general, exponentially higher than that of vegetables and other plant-based foods.

According to OvershootDay.org, a nutritionally balanced, vegetarian diet has an ecological footprint that is 2.5 times lower than a diet composed mostly of animal-based proteins!

By reducing your meat consumption, you can drastically reduce your ecological footprint and your environmental impact. This doesn't mean that you have to go full vegan, but by even reducing your meat consumption by a little, you can achieve a lot.

Plant-based foods have a lower ecological footprint than meats

Furthermore, consider checking the labels of the food that you are eating. Just because you are eating fruits and vegetables doesn't mean they were sustainably grown, and the same can be said about animal-based products.

What exactly does sustainable mean when it comes to food?

If you are eating something that was sustainably created, it means that the food that was created has a very low environmental impact. For example, if a farmer was to grow crops in a specific area, they would have an understanding of the ecosystem around them and would be making a conscious effort not to disrupt that. They would also support organically grown crops and avoid artificial fertilizers and pesticides and genetically modified organisms.

Related Post: How to Eat Sustainably: 11 Tips to Help You Eat a Sustainable Diet!

For livestock, a farmer would be conscientious of the health and wellbeing of the animals they are raising. This is put into practice by allowing the animals to graze so they may move freely. Furthermore, a farmer would ensure respectful treatment of the animals and would strive to reduce or completely remove all pain and suffering that animals may be subject to in the food production process.

5. Drive Less and Travel Sustainably

Transportation makes up a very large part of the average American's ecological footprint, and driving cars has a very large negative effect on the environment.

Think about how many times you hop in your car to go to work, to go shopping, to run to the corner store for a quick snack, or to simply go on a road trip with your friends.

Instead of taking the car, try biking or walking to your destination. Public transport isn't a bad idea either, and will save you money on gas (and car depreciation).

However, if you must drive, try and be a little strategic in how you do so. For example, if you are driving to and from work, plan all your other errands around that. If the grocery store is on the way home, stop on the way to get groceries instead of driving back later.

Another great idea is to try carpooling. Take turns carpooling with friends, and you can take multiple cars off the road. You won't be just saving the environment, you'll be saving money on gas, too.

6. Use Less Water

We may take it for granted, but water is a precious commodity that can run out if we aren't careful. While we need water to survive, try and be more conscientious about how you use your water.

For example, set a timer in your bathroom while you shower. While it may feel nice to take an hour-long shower after a long day of work, it's just not sustainable for the Earth. You can also get low-flow shower heads which use half the amount of water (compared to a standard shower head).

If you have a dishwasher in your home, make sure it is completely filled before you run it. If you hand-wash your dishes, fill your sink up with soapy water instead of leaving the water running while you wash the dishes.

These are just some ways to save water, but I'm sure you can come up with a lot more to implement yourself!

7. Buy Local

Support your community, buy better quality products, and save the environment by purchasing local goods. Keep in mind that the items we buy travel even more than we do - be it food, clothes, or office supplies. With all that traveling and shipping, the ecological footprint that is created can be excessive.

Did you know that something as simple as a new pair of jeans carries a large ecological footprint? "It is estimated that 70 percent of Asia's rivers and lakes are contaminated by the 2.5 billion gallons of wastewater produced by that continent's textile industry", according to a recent study.

When you buy local, you're buying something that was made near you. These products are, more often than not, produced in an environmentally conscious way because the production directly affects the surrounding community.

Start by checking out your local farmers market for food, and local boutiques for clothing, furniture, and decor.

8. Buy Used Goods

Instead of buying a new laptop, buy from a used electronics store. New jeans? Why not buy used ones instead from a thrift store?

By buying used goods, you help give old products a new life, and keep them out of the landfill at the same time.

Buying used products means that new resources don't need to be wasted to manufacture a new product. You reuse an old product instead of buying a new one, reducing your ecological footprint.

There are many places where you can find quality used goods for cheap prices. Take a look at garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores near your location. There are also many second-hand electronic stores that can give you great deals on used electronics!

9. Recycle Whenever You Can

When you recycle something, resources can be repurposed for new products, and less new raw resources have to be harvested from the Earth.

However, keep in mind that some products that appear to be recyclable may not be allowed to go into your recycling bin. Be sure to read your local waste management company's recycling protocols to ensure that all the trash you choose to recycle will make it to the right place.

10. Reduce Your Waste

This may seem a little redundant, but there are tons of opportunities to use less plastic and reduce your water and energy use that will contribute to your ecological footprint.

While 75% of all waste is actually recyclable, tons of that end up in landfills, and even more is collected in landfills from the trash that simply couldn't be recycled in the first place.

What's more, in the United States, an estimated 40% of all food gets wasted. When food is wasted, the time, energy, and resources put into making that food is also wasted.

Do your part by trying to buy in bulk when you can (to reduce packaging waste), reducing food waste, and even exploring how to make your own bathroom products! You'll be helping the environment and using better products in your home and on your body.

11. Repair Instead of Replace

In today's culture, we live for quick buys and getting the best deals. The issue is that we usually opt to get the latest and greatest instead of taking care of the products that we already have. This can be said about anything from the clothes we wear, our mobile devices, and even our appliances at home.

Instead of trying to chase down a deal, try and buy higher quality products and take care of them so they last longer.

If something breaks down or rips, get it repaired. You may find yourself saving thousands of dollars a year on all the items you may have otherwise purchased new.

Lastly, if you must get something replaced, make sure to recycle your old product (or donate it to a second-hand store) to give it a new life.

Conclusion

Now that I've shared my ways to reduce ecological footprint, it's your turn to take action. Start implementing these ideas today to reduce your ecological footprint and environmental impact.

If you have any other ideas to reduce ecological footprint that I missed, feel free to share them in the comment section below. I may add them to the article later!

Last but not least, if you found these ideas helpful, please share this article with your friends using the share buttons below. By spreading the knowledge, we can all work towards sustainability!

About the Author: Delilah Farrell

Contributing Writer at House Method: Delilah is on a mission to make sustainability part of everyone's lives. She is passionate about living green and strives to make a difference in her community, as well as the online community. She hopes that one day, the entire planet recognizes the need to live sustainably.

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11 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Ecological Footprint | Get Green Now

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Your ecological footprint is the impact of your lifestyle choices or activities measured in terms of the land required to sustain your use of natural resources. If everyone on Earth lived like the average American, we would need 4 Earths worth of land to sustain humanity (BBC).

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We can buy mainly local food in order to reduce the distance that food travels. Thus, much of our food has to travel significant distances known as food miles. The distance that food travels can add to a number of the environmental problems we are facing globally. By choosing local food that has traveled a fraction of these distances each purchase helps reduce the demand and resulting transport costs to our environment.

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Consume Less Meat
The natural resources and energy consumption used during the production period of cattle and poultry cause serious carbon emissions. According to some studies, veal and beef, namely red meat, are the leading causes of this release. Tin tuna and farmed salmon follow red meat. You can reduce your carbon footprint by reducing meat consumption and turning to vegetables.

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Maria A., 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece

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Maria A., 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece

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prefer bikes or green transortations like green buses

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Eirini K., 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece

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Eirini K., 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece

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reuse things, prefer local products and renewable resources are my suggestions

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Eirini Panagaki, 2nd Gymnasium of Holargos, Athens, Greece

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Eirini Panagaki, 2nd Gymnasium of Holargos, Athens, Greece

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In my opinion, in the video we can talk about things we should do to reduce our ecological footprint. For example, we can say things about recycling food, water and energy and we can also raise awareness about the issue of waste. In addition, we can talk about ways to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere such as switching to renewable energy and using public means of transportation in order to drive less. In other words, I think we should educate people about habits we can change so as to help our environment.

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I think that in the video we have to talk about the ecological footprints and everything around them, so we will be able to take care of our planet

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I think that in ths video we could talk about in some ways to see the ecological footprinr, it would be a good way to carry out climate change.

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In my opinion, I think that in the video we should make people aware that if we don't take care of the planet, this can be a big problem in the future.

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I think that people need to be more responsible with wasteing ecological materials, to reduce the production of plastic packaging, to stop wasteing materials on something that is not needed.
To increse use of solar panels for making electrical energy. People should reduce useing cars for traveling on small location they sould walk more, because that is good for both nature and theyr health. We could allso reduce the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere due to the Earth’s ozone layer. And I think that we could recycle more and stop throwing garbage into the environment, because lot of garbage that is trown into environment is noncompostable and non-biodegradable.

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Pablo Alcantud, IES Antonio Menarguez Costa, Spain.

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Pablo Alcantud, IES Antonio Menarguez Costa, Spain.

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I think that in the video we could talk about the effect produced by the ecological footprint and some ideas of how we could solve it, for example we could put practical ways to reduce the ecological footprint in the activities that we do at home and in the means of transport that we use, to so that our day to day is more friendly to the environment

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In the project we could talk about some ways in order to observe the ecological footprint.  I think that's a great idea and we will change the minds of the whole world.

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Inma Sánchez, IES Menárguez Costa, Spain. 

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Inma Sánchez, IES Menárguez Costa, Spain. 

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I think that in this project we should talk about how to improve recycling techniques so that it is more comfortable to observe the ecological footprint, the problems that can be caused in the future and the small details that help the planet.

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I think that in this video we should do everything possible to create awareness in people who aren´t aware about the real problem of climate change. We would include examples about how to reduce our ecological footprint.

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I think that in the video we need to talk about nature and how we can help the planet to avoid disasters and how we can recycle.

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I think that in this video we need to raise awareness of such an important topic that it risks being a problem for our future. Even with small gestures we can improve our environment.

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To reduce our ecological footprint, we should make some steps:

first of all, it’s important to start recycling plastic, because it is noncompostable

and non-biodegradable.

Then we should consider the use of renewable energy such as solar energy.

To reduce pollution it’s important to walk more and drive less.

We also should reduce water waste, because water is one of the most

important elements in the world.

Anna To reduce our ecological footprint we should make some steps:

first of all, it’s important to start recycling plastic, because it is noncompostable

and non-biodegradable.

Then we should consider the use of renewable energy such as solar energy.

To reduce pollution, it’s important to walk more and drive less.

We also should reduce water waste, because water is one of the most

important elements in the world.,