Our planet is in peril. Problems stemming from pollution and climate change continue to threaten our world and our way of life. The issues facing the earth can sometimes feel so daunting that the average person wonders if anything they do can make a difference. It not only can make an impact; it does. Here are six things that anyone can do to help save the environment. 

1. Learn How Planets Work

It's impossible to appreciate something you don't understand. Not everyone is destined to be an ecologist, but that doesn't mean you can't know the basics of how the ecosystem works. Without that knowledge, it's hard to see why a piece of litter left on the road could make the local water supply toxic, or how the amount of water you use could impact the success of agriculture. In the absence of a formal environmental help desk, learning the functions of the systems that make up the world we all share is a basic survival skill that everyone should pick up. 

2. Gain Practical Experience With Nature

These days, most people live detached from the natural world. Those who make the effort to connect in some way gain an appreciation for the natural world. Hunters, who often tend to be skeptical of big government, have contributed $14 billion to conservation efforts since 1937 because they have practical experience in being part of the food chain. Hikers also take an active stance in pushing the government to protect trails and connect wildlife habitats. The simple truth is that when you know more, you care more, so get out there. 

3. Upcycle and Recycle

Recycling programs are already widespread, but they tend to be both confusing and incomplete. Some don't take certain kinds of glass, others won't accept shiny cardboard. Thankfully, you can reuse a lot of things yourself and save money in the process. Upcycling is the practice of finding ways to creatively reuse products that would otherwise have been thrown away, turning them into something of even greater value. Designers have turned plastic bags into backpacks and textile waste into new clothes, most of it done with simple sweat equity and a few new skills. 

4. Invest in Fuel Efficiency

A study performed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2019 found that the largest share of greenhouse gases in the U.S. (29%) comes from the transportation sector. Driving less isn't always an option, so compensate by driving smarter. Purchasing a fuel-efficient car is a good move, but using fuel efficiency hacks like getting rid of extra weight, keeping your car's tires fully inflated and limiting idling time are great ways to save money and reduce your emissions without spending a dime. 

5. Use Green Energy

Maintaining civilization requires a huge input of energy. Unfortunately, our addiction to fossil fuels is making that progress unsustainable in the long term. The solution is innovation and participation. Scientists are creating novel solutions to the energy crisis, from more affordable solar panels to researching fusion power. But there still needs to be a demand. You participate in a cleaner way of life when you invest in renewable energy, either by purchasing it from a utility provider or using it directly and going off the grid. It's a powerful way of buying into the future. 

6. Become Biophilic

Biophilia is the idea that humans and the natural world can work together to enhance the global quality of life. Perhaps the most striking example of this is found in a NASA study that shows how common houseplants can help cleanse the air inside a building of multiple toxic chemicals. That's just the tip of the iceberg; biophilia is also a design philosophy that can be incorporated into homes and apartments in simple ways like maximizing the use of natural lighting and utilizing tree cover to reduce air conditioning costs in the summer. 

Solving the problems faced by our planet isn't any one person's job. It's everyone's job. All that's needed to make things better is for everyone to do their part.