The holidays have just passed and our bank accounts have all taken a hit. Unfortunately, so has the environment. With all the lights, gifts, food, and travelling that we do in the holiday season, our emissions can add up quickly. In fact, it’s estimated that between the 24-26 of December, each person can emit as much as 650 kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - that’s roughly 5% of our annual emissions!
But Christmas doesn’t have to come with environmental damage - it should still be an occasion to celebrate! So, even though the holiday season has already passed this year, here are some easy ways to enjoy a more eco-friendly Christmas:
1. Eco-friendly gift wrapping
According to a Greenpeace study, 1 kg of wrapping paper emits around 3.5 kg of CO2 during production. You can reduce this waste by being mindful of how you wrap your gifts - there are now more environmentally friendly wrapping paper options, such as those made from recycled materials. You could even get creative with your gift-wrapping and use other materials like fabric that can be kept and reused.
2. Choose your Christmas trees There have been debates as to whether real Christmas trees or artificial trees are more damaging to the environment - the simple answer to that is they both have negative effects on the environment. But there are ways to minimise those impacts whether you choose to have a real tree or an artificial one. If you have an artificial tree, try and reuse it for as long as possible. Or if you have a real tree, try to source locally and properly dispose of it after the holidays. You could even opt for potted trees or renting a tree to reduce your emissions.
3. Reduce food waste
The holidays undoubtedly come with food… and leftovers. To reduce food waste, you can freeze your leftovers which will also save money. You can also reduce your food waste by buying less to begin with. Buying vegetarian options can reduce your carbon footprint as well.
4. Save electricity
You can greatly reduce your energy consumption by switching to LED lights, which use up to 90% less energy compared to incandescent lights. You can even invest in reusable solar-powered lights for an even greener alternative. Or if you don’t feel like investing in new lights, you can even save money by turning off your lights at night. Reducing the amount of lights that you use can make a big impact too.
5. Spend less, give more
Less is sometimes more - and that applies to gifts as well. A good gift doesn’t have to be big and expensive, and it can be environmentally friendly too. Invest in quality gifts that will last a long time, and spend time with the people you care about. You could DIY your gifts to make them more personable and also consider giving eco-friendly cards that are made from recycled or biodegradable materials. You could even send Christmas wishes digitally rather than giving cards.
6. Donate to charities
Each year, millions of dollars are spent on unwanted Christmas gifts; that adds up to a lot of rubbish. And yet there are millions of people who don’t receive any gifts at all. If you receive gifts that you don’t want or don’t use, consider giving Santa a helping hand by donating your gifts to those in need.
7. Invest wisely
Christmas decorations can be used over and over again… if you know which ones to invest in. Consider classic decorations that will never fall out of trend and are of a higher quality so that they last longer. You could even make your own decorations from recycled materials.
8. Travel greener
Many of us head home for the holidays, and that’s totally understandable! If you’re just travelling around your community for some shopping or visiting family who live nearby, you can consider greener forms of travelling such as walking or cycling. Unfortunately, for those of us who have to travel long distances to see family and friends, emissions are inevitable. If it’s possible, you can consider…
Flying economy - this allows for more people to fit into one flight
Carpooling - if you know people who are heading to the same destination, consider sharing a vehicle to reduce your emissions
Carbon offsetting
9. Carbon offsetting
If you know you’re contributing large amounts of pollution, you can pay to offset your emissions: your money will be invested in removing the amount of CO2 you emit from the atmosphere. This normally takes the form of planting trees, funding renewable energy projects or funding waste and landfill management.
We should still be able to enjoy Christmas without harming the environment, and these small changes can make a big difference. The planet gives so much to us every day, and making sustainable choices is the best gift we can possibly give in return! And even though Christmas has already passed this year, these tips can still be applied to any holiday season.
Have you tried any of these tips already? Or have you done something else to reduce your environmental impact this Christmas? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy holidays from the EcoClimate team!
Credits:
Image - BBC
Information - SEI, The Oxford Blue, Commercial Waste, Government of South Australia, MIT Climate Portal
Comentarii