The planet has reached a tipping point due to environmental pollution. The climate crisis poses a serious threat to everyone’s way of life. While large corporations who profit from practices that damage the environment carry much of the blame, consumer demand is a significant part of what enables them to continue these practices. Collectively, it’s important for everyone to change their individual lifestyles to be more sustainable. Here are five things that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and do your part to protect the earth.

1. Install Solar Panels on Your Home

Reducing your use of nonrenewable resources is the best way to live more sustainably. While renewable power is readily available and should have been made the energy source of choice decades ago, corporate interests have effectively suppressed the switch to green energy. Many states still derive a significant amount of the energy used to power electrical plants from burning coal and other sources that are detrimental to the environment. Unfortunately, it’s up to individuals to force widespread accountability and change. The most effective thing that you can do to reduce your reliance on nonrenewable energy is to buy solar panels. In addition to helping save the environment, you can also save on your monthly electric expenses.

2. Create Less Waste

In addition to minimizing your use of plastics, you should make an effort to reduce the overall amount of waste that you produce. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person creates over four pounds of waste per day! Landfills are severely overcrowded, and the problem is only getting worse. Burning trash in landfills results in dangerous emissions that have a deleterious impact on air quality. You can help by reusing items, using fewer disposable goods, and composting materials that are biodegradable such as food waste.

3. Change How You Eat

Avoid buying food products from companies that don’t use sustainable practices. In particular, try to avoid purchasing food products that are made by companies who are particularly egregious polluters. For example, fast food companies who are responsible for deforestation for the purpose of grazing livestock should be avoided altogether. When you can, buy organic food products from local suppliers. Try to limit your purchases from companies that operate large food processing plants that create excessive carbon emissions.

4. Use Green Transportation

Carbon emissions from everyday transportation are a major cause of the depletion of the planet’s ozone layer. You can lower your carbon emissions by driving less frequently and walking or biking places when you’re able to. Furthermore, you can get a vehicle that’s designed to be fuel efficient and don’t drive a large SUV. However, the best way to make the way to make a difference with how you drive is to use an electric vehicle. These cars are affordable, pleasant to drive, and slowly becoming the new norm. Charging an electric vehicle in your home is relatively easy, and charging stations are popping up everywhere now. Moreover, a single charge can take you further than ever before. As an added bonus, you won’t have to waste money on fossil fuels that are destructive to the planet.  

5. Fly Nonstop

Airplane travel accounts for a lot of the country’s fossil fuel consumption. While it’s preferable to minimize the frequency that you fly, sometimes it’s simply unavoidable. To create less pollution when you fly, opt for flights that are nonstop. Flights tend to use more fuel during and right after take-off, and a flight plan with stops usually entails flying further than you need to.

Ultimately, the only way to save the planet is for everyone to consider what they can do to help. Your efforts to live more sustainably make a real difference.