The year is 2021, we thought we’d have flying cars by now but we’re battling a pandemic, we’re complaining about soaring temperatures, melting ice, ghastly forest fires, we’re also blaming our leaders for not doing enough to reverse climate change, but hold on, what are YOU doing to make it any better? Stop for a second and think about it. The time for conversations about sustainable lifestyles is long gone. Right now, it’s time for execution. Going green is not an option any more but of course, it’s not easy to do so when we’ve followed a very laid back and polluting routine our entire life. So how do you reduce your carbon footprint, lead a minimal-waste free life and become slightly better residents of the planet?
Author, entrepreneur, social media influencer and earth advocate, Karuna Ezara Parikh may have a small but efficient list of solutions. She strives to lead a life as eco-friendly as possible and with her aim for others to follow suit, she recently hosted a quick Ask Me Anything session on her Instagram stories about ways to go green. We stalked, we took screenshots and we decided to let those stories stay on for more than just 24 hours for people to see and change.
Take this Earth Day to actively employ these habits to go green:
1. Making someone understand a sustainable lifestyle
Even in the 21st century, many still remain in denial about climate change whilst complaining about how it’s getting hotter than ever. Then there are some that know about it yet don’t want to do anything about it. So if you’re looking to get it hammered into people’s brains, just explain in simple words how their daily actions are worsening the climate in the larger picture. Give them examples. And then also hit them with practical solutions so if they wish to make the switch, they know what to do.
2. Eco-friendly life isn’t necessarily expensive
Yes, people are under the assumption that going green is mostly just shopping from earth-friendly brands that come attached with pocket-burning price tags. Could they be more wrong? Karuna listed out a few basic ways to adopt a green life. The trick lies in actively observing how you carry out your day-to-day activities, whether they’re good for the environment and if they aren’t, exactly how you can change that without cashing out extra bucks.
3. Ways to reduce paper wastage
Not much explanation needed here because reducing paper wastage is quite simple, to be honest. No?
4. Cutting down on plastic
If only we could rid the earth of all plastic! But if you didn’t already know, you get compostable plastic bags in the market just in case you really do require plastic bags at any point. But really if you think about it, cloth bags are an investment we make so why not make full use out of them?
Karuna Ezara Parikh’s AMA on Going Green | (Source: Instagram | @karunaezara)
Karuna Ezara Parikh’s AMA on Going Green | (Source: Instagram | @karunaezara)
Karuna Ezara Parikh’s AMA on Going Green | (Source: Instagram | @karunaezara)
5. Reducing menstrual waste
I’ve only heard good reviews about menstrual cups, especially when you order the correct ones. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder why this product didn’t come around sooner. When you think about the fact that only a single woman produces, on average, 125 kg of non-biodegradable pad/tampon waste in her years of menstruation, it doesn’t take time to make the switch to these humble and very efficient cups!
6. Switching to veganism
Planning to cut out animals in all forms from your diet? According to Karuna, not only is it not that difficult, but she also has a book recommendation for those planning to go vegan.
Karuna Ezara Parikh’s AMA on Going Green | (Source: Instagram | @karunaezara)
Karuna Ezara Parikh’s AMA on Going Green | (Source: Instagram | @karunaezara)
7. Eco-friendly beauty and fashion brands
Sustainable fashion comes with the following assumptions—pricey and ugly, one of which is partly true and one isn’t true at all. The fashion industry is the second-worst polluting one in the world. And you think only shopping from earth-caring brands is the solution? It’s one of the many solutions of being mindful of your clothing, beauty and lifestyle needs. Reduce, reuse, recycle, up-cycle, appropriate care, investing in the right pieces, less consumption and more such habits also point towards sustainable and eco-friendly fashion.
Karuna Ezara Parikh’s AMA on Going Green | (Source: Instagram | @karunaezara)
Karuna Ezara Parikh’s AMA on Going Green | (Source: Instagram | @karunaezara)
Karuna Ezara Parikh’s AMA on Going Green | (Source: Instagram | @karunaezara)
I sincerely hope that collectively, we can become greener and mindful in our ways of living. Share with us in the comments other habits people can adopt to become earth-friendly.
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