CAREFULLY SELECT WOOD

Up until the 1960’s, the demand for forest products was met largely by exploitation of natural, primary forests. The over-harvesting of timber in this way has undoubtedly had implications for biodiversity, ecosystem health and the global climate. Today there is are growing demands for timber, coinciding with population growth and greater economic prosperity in developing nations. Certain types of wood, known as softwoods, are faster growing than others known as hardwoods.

USE BIODEGRADABLE GARBAGE BAGS

First things first! Biodegradable bags are not great for the environment. Unfortunately everything is relative and they are a better option than non biodegradable garbage bags. We all produce some waste but we hope to minimize it and this is one small step that can be used in conjunction with composting, recycling and minimizing to lower your environmental impact.

DON’T GO ON CRUISES

Until the events of 2020 put the viability of the cruise industry on pause, the numbers of passengers have increased every year since the early 1990s. For those concerned about the state of the climate, regional air pollution and the ocean ecosystem, this should be a great concern. It has been estimated that a single luxury cruise giant emits 10x more air pollution in the form of SOx than ALL of Europe’s cars.

EAT MORE EGGS

When it comes to protein sources, greenhouse gas emissions are measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (kgCO₂eq) per 100 grams of protein.

Poultry Meat and Eggs come in at 5.7 and 4.2 kg’s respectively.

EAT MORE LENTILS

Besides not requiring fossil fuel-based fertilizer, lentil crops do not rely on energy-intensive irrigation. Thus, the carbon footprint for one kg of lentils is only 0.9 kg of CO2 equivalent.

WEAR REUSABLE FACE MASK

COVID-19 has introduced a new pollutant into our environment, face masks. If you don’t work in a field in which you must be wearing disposable face masks, such as hospital workers, and if you feel comfortable, opt for a reusable face mask! You will save lots of money by investing in one or a few quality, reusable masks rather than continuing to purchase disposable ones.

DONATE TO TREE PLANTING GROUPS

Throughout the world, about 900 million trees are cut down annually. A large portion of these will be regrown however we are losing the battle. Every year a total of 10 million hectares or area of Portugal is lost to deforestation globally.

INCLUDE PETS IN SUSTAINABLE EFFORTS

Seek out the most sustainable diet for your pet as possible (without compromising any dietary restrictions they may have). Try to phase red meat out of their diets. Opt for poultry or fish as these meats have lower carbon emissions in their production.

REPLACE YOUR GRASS LAWN

Turn your mundane one-species grass lawn into a more interesting natural environment that supports more life. Grass lawns are a resource and time sink. They require fertilizer (made from petroleum products), mowing (usually with a gas mower), and extra water.

USE REUSABLE BATTERIES

For many of the toys and electronics that we use, wasteful alkaline batteries still rule. Global alkaline battery production exceeds 20 billion units, with almost all of those ending up in a landfill after only a single charge. These can be easily replaced with rechargeable versions that can be used for up to 500 charges. Rechargeable battery technology has come a long way!

BUY FOOD IN BULK

Almost all of the food we consume comes in some form of packaging. One step to address this problem is buying in bulk to limit the amount of packaging used. While this action alone will not completely eliminate the problem, when we take it collectively it reduces the volume created each year. Purchasing in bulk has the added benefit of saving you money.

INFLATE YOUR TIRES

Ensure your vehicle tires are properly inflated to increase your fuel efficiency, save money, and reduce pollution.

Under inflated tires will cause your fuel economy to drop by an average of 0.4 percent for every PSI (pounds per square inch) drop from the recommended manufacturer tire pressure.

TURNO OFF WATER WHILE BRUSHING TEETH

Toothpaste, then water. Water, toothpaste, water. Water, toothpaste. Just toothpaste? No matter which of these is the order you prep before brushing, I hope we can agree on one thing; there is no need for the water to run once you start brushing!

AIR-DRY CLOTHES AFTER WASHING

Choose air-drying instead of tumble-drying your clothes and make good carbon savings. Hang it on a line outside or a rack inside as often as you can.

RECYCLE PLASTIC PROPERLY

What we can and cannot put in our recycling bins can be confusing, especially when it comes to plastic.

USE RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTS

Each year we cut down an area of forests similar in size to the country of Italy.  While some of this area will regrow each year we are losing approximately 70000 square km’s per year in the battle.

LOWER ENERGY SETTINGS ON DEVICES

How many electronic devices do you have? PC’s, laptops, cell phones, tablets…

It may seem small but check that all of the devices that you have access to are set to their lowest power demand settings.

WEAR ECO-FRIENDLY SANDALS

Flip flops are the perfect shoe for the beach! However, just because they are made for this sandy environment doesn’t mean they should stay there. Make sure you pack your flip flops up with you after your beach adventures.

SWITCH TO E-BILLING

It is hard to believe that hundreds of billions of bills and updates are still sent out annually around the globe. That takes a lot of trees and energy to make happen.

WASH CLOTHES ON “COLD”

You might have heard that hot water washes best, but times change. New detergent technology uses enzymes that actually work better in cold water. Cold water is gentler on your clothes, and can protect them from fading, shrinking or bleeding. Plus you save money from unnecessary water heating.

AVOID BOTTLED BEVERAGES

It is no secret that our oceans and land are choking on waste, but what do we do about it? Start at the top and work your way down the list of offenders. Avoiding bottled beverages, which often come in plastic, are a good way to have an impact.

USE COMPOSTABLE BAND-AIDS

Adhesive bandages are single-use objects. They are meant to be thrown away, but unfortunately, they are unlikely to decompose within your lifetime because most are made from plastic.

GET AN ELECTRIC BIKE

At the end of the day, just plug your electric bike into a normal wall socket, and you will be good to go with a full charge for the next day. For local trips, it is possible for an electric bike to entirely replace a car, especially if it is a cargo bike that can carry passengers, groceries, and other loads.