4 Ways to Support Green Initiatives While Sheltering in Place

Jori Hamilton – Contributing Writer

Posted on Thursday 10th September 2020
Woman sitting on floor and leaning on couch using laptop

 

Though the COVID-19 pandemic is still far from over, many places across the country are slowly reopening. People are getting out more, with precautions in place to keep everyone safe. But, for a few months, most people across the country were either required to shelter in place, or it was, at the very least, a strong suggestion. 

It was a practice that worked. Emergency COVID-19 measures potentially saved millions of lives

Until there is a vaccine or the virus is completely under control, it’s still a good idea to shelter in place as much as possible. Thankfully, this is the perfect time to take up green initiatives. If you find yourself with extra time on your hands and you want to know how to change the planet from the comfort of your own home, there are plenty of things you can do. 

Let’s take a look at a few ways you can support a sustainable future while staying in place. 

1. Educate Yourself

One of the best things you can do to support green initiatives is to educate yourself as much as possible. Follow “green news” to learn more about what is happening in the world’s sustainability efforts. That can include reading, writing, and sharing pieces that can educate others on green initiatives, too. 

There are countless blogs online that are dedicated to living a greener life at home, as well as informing you about the latest in sustainability efforts across the globe. Take the time to do your research and find the voices that speak to you the most. The more you educate yourself, the more of an advocate you will become. 

You can also take this time to learn more about some of your favorite brands and businesses with a dedication to sustainability. Some of the most notable names in eco-friendly business practices include: 

  • Cisco Systems

  • Autodesk Inc.

  • Hewlett Packard

  • American Water

  • McCormick and Co. 

When you know more about which major companies have a dedication to sustainability, you can choose to support them, while turning away from brands that may actually be harming the environment with their efforts. 

2. Saving Energy at Home

When you’re at home, there are plenty of ways to cut back on the amount of energy you and your family use on a daily basis. If you really want to go green at home and get the whole family involved, try some of the following ideas: 

  • Changing to energy-efficient light bulbs

  • Taking shorter showers

  • Switching to reusable bags

  • Turning lights off when you leave the room

  • Paying your bills online

  • Fixing leaky faucets

Another fantastic way to help the planet while getting your hands dirty is to start your own garden. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to your options for an outdoor garden at your home. You can choose to plant a pollinator garden full of colorful flowers for the bees, or a vegetable and herb garden to grow your own food. Choose native plants for your garden that will require less water, and start composting to create your own natural fertilizer. 

3. Decluttering and Recycling

If you have plenty of time on your hands, use it to declutter your house and put a recycling system in place. Many people have started to practice minimalism as a way to get rid of the distractions in their lives. 

Recycling is about more than just tossing aluminum cans and paper into a bin. You can declutter and keep some of the things you have by upcycling them, or finding a different use for them. Do a large sweep of the items in your home, and decide what can be used again, and what should be donated. 

4. Working for the Cause (Remotely)

Sheltering in place has caused thousands of people to start working remotely. Simply being at home instead of going into the workplace is a more sustainable practice, to begin with. It reduces your carbon footprint by not having to use cars and closing down buildings that use a lot of electricity and energy. 

So, if you’re working from home, you are already one step ahead. But, you can go further by looking for a remote job that actually advocates for the planet.

If you’re thinking about a career change, keep the following tips in mind to find a job

If you do start working from home and set up an office space, you can even cut down on your carbon footprint by using a laptop instead of a desktop computer, using as much natural light as possible, and going paperless. 

Sheltering in place can feel like a struggle at times. But, there has never been a better time to shift your focus and start thinking more about the future of our planet. Keep these ideas in mind as you continue on your journey to support green initiatives, and you can do your part to create a more sustainable future for everyone.

test image for this block