Going green is more important now than it has ever been in the past. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to do it, whether that’s through using a solar panel battery, or eating less meat. Making changes in your own lifestyle can make a big difference over time, but it is even better to help your whole neighborhood go green so that everyone can contribute. There are a few different ways to do it and trying any of them can make a difference. 

Try Eating More Plants

The meat and dairy industries take up the vast majority of agricultural land and produce more carbon than the rest of the farming sector, but make up a small part of the world's calorie and protein supply. Going vegan is the single best way for most people to reduce their impact on the environment. It can also save a lot of money and improve general health, so it is a great place to get started. 

Many people who eat meat are wary of trying to go vegan, so the best way to encourage your neighbors to try it is to give them easy opportunities. Try inviting them to a cookout or other event and providing plenty of vegan food. They will be more open to the idea if they get used to trying it without making a huge change all at once. You can also take your close friends and family with you for some vegan traveling. People are most open to new experiences while they are on the road, so you'll have a much easier time introducing them to vegan food. If they spend a week or two on the diet during the trip, it's likely that they will get used to it and be less likely to eat meat after it ends. 

Start Carpooling

Cars are another major source of pollution, and they are one of the easiest to reduce. Many people in the neighborhood will be making trips to similar locations, such as commutes to the same area or grocery shopping at the same stores. Sharing rides cuts down on the number of cars that are on the road, so it conserves fuel and reduces carbon emissions from driving. 

There are a few advantages that you can use to make this more appealing to your neighbors. It will save a lot of money, both by splitting the cost of fuel among several passengers and by reducing wear and tear on the area's cars. The environmental benefits are large, and the people who are not driving can take naps on the road or get some work done during the ride. Be sure to take turns driving to keep it fair! 

This actually has some social benefits as well. Recent research suggests that ride-sharing, especially in taxi cabs inside cities, can greatly reduce congestion. That adds another reason to encourage people to share rides whenever they can, because nobody wants to deal with traffic jams. 

Share and Swap

People tend to underestimate the environmental impact of fashion. It takes a lot of resources to make clothes, and people often dispose of their old garments and buy new ones every year, just so they can follow trends. That leads to a massive amount of waste over time, but it is still possible for people to get some variety in their wardrobes without doing too much damage. All they have to do is work together and coordinate. 

You can mitigate a lot of the damage by opting for clothes made of recycled materials, but it is even better to recycle the clothes themselves. Instead of throwing away clothes that are in good shape, consider selling them to your neighbors or even organizing a swap meet so everybody can update their wardrobe at once. That reduces the need for new clothing while also preventing the old garments from ending up in landfills, and it still gives you a chance to wear something that is new to you.