It can be challenging to connect to nature in our modern world with our eyes glued to screens. However, embracing nature and sustainability is more important now than ever before because it benefits our planet and individual well-being.
Finding ways to embrace nature and sustainability can help us reconnect with nature and make more conscious decisions that minimize our environmental impact. Here are a few ways to reconnect with nature and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.
1. Enjoy Nature
Consider all the activities you do, from scrolling social media to watching television. All of these activities are less than sustainable. Your smartphone is made from nonrenewable resources like petroleum, which cause serious harm to the environment. Meanwhile, the electricity needed to enjoy your other hobbies requires electricity generation, often using unsustainable resources like coal and natural gas.
Not to mention, overuse of electricity can result in brownouts and blackouts that affect the well-being of others.
Spending less time engaged in activities that require nonrenewable resources or are made from potentially harmful materials like plastics and more time embracing nature can help put you on the path toward a more sustainable future.
Going to local parks for hikes, walks, and picnics is not only enjoyable, but it’s also good for your physical and mental health. Spending more time in nature can reduce stress, improve your mood, and foster a deeper connection to the world around you.
2. Consider Gardening
Gardening is another eco-friendly activity anyone can enjoy. Believe it or not, you don’t need your own yard to do it. Instead, you can create an indoor or balcony garden, depending on your living situation. Starting anything from a small herb garden to a large vegetable garden in your backyard allows you to get your hands dirty while growing your own food — one of the most sustainable activities you can engage in.
3. Recycle
While reducing your consumption of various non-recyclable resources like plastic is crucial to supporting overall sustainability efforts, what do you do with the items you need? Unfortunately, many items we use on a daily basis are made from plastic. When those products are no longer needed, what are you supposed to do with them?
In most cases, you might throw them in the trash. However, recycling isn’t just about sorting your trash; it’s about reusing products in your home that can no longer be used for their primary purpose. For instance, you can repurpose old furniture you no longer use by turning it into something else or changing it in some way to be regifted.
4. Water & Energy Conservation
Being mindful of your water and energy usage is another way to reconnect with nature without actually spending any time in it. Using low-flow appliances, fixing leaks, and collecting rainwater for your garden can reduce water intake. In addition, you can turn off the lights and unplug electronics when not in use.
One caveat to turning off electronics is that you shouldn’t turn off appliances like your furnace or air conditioning because they can use more energy to heat or cool your home back to temperature than to maintain it. Instead, you can get a smart thermostat that reduces energy consumption by allowing you to set your desired temperature based on the time of day or whether you’re out or at home.
5. Eat Mindfully
A sustainable diet that consists of locally sourced, seasonal, and organic foods can reduce your carbon footprint simply based on the transportation requirements alone. However, you can also reduce your red meat consumption and opt for more plant-based meals to reduce your carbon footprint.
6. Drive Less
One way to spend more time in nature while reducing your carbon footprint is to drive less. Changing your driving habits will reduce your carbon footprint and the amount of fossil fuels you burn and add to the atmosphere.
You can drive less by riding your bike or walking when feasible. In addition, consider combining errands to make fewer trips in total, reducing the amount of driving you have to do.
7. Choose Sustainable Energy
We can’t live in the dark. We need electricity for everything we do, so while we can be more conscious of how much we use electricity, we can’t always change our consumption habits. However, we can control where our energy comes from. Choosing green energy solutions like wind, solar, and hydro power can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
You can discuss green energy solutions with your utility provider to learn more about their offerings. Many companies are working toward a greener future and are already starting to offer options for where your energy comes from.
8. Use Sustainable & Natural Products
Sustainable and natural products are those made from materials that are easily regrown or grown using more sustainable practices. For instance, bamboo bed sheets are more sustainable than cotton, especially when it comes to the production process, which requires less water, produces more, and doesn’t require chemical fertilizers.
Every product you use probably has a more sustainable alternative. We don’t live in a perfect world yet, but by doing your research, you can learn more about the different products available and the ethical clothing brands, for example, working toward a greener future.
9. Connect With Environmental Organizations
Connecting with reputable organizations that engage in environmental initiatives can help you become a part of a larger movement. Your support can help make a more meaningful impact on larger initiatives that work toward protecting the planet and all its creatures.
If you’re unsure where to start, you can look for credible organizations that align with your unique values and focus on the areas that interest you most. Then, you can choose to volunteer your time and skills to carry out important work and assist in tree planting, beach cleanups, educational programs, and even administrative tasks to make a measurable impact in local communities and environments.
Working Toward a Greener Future
The way you live can drastically affect how another human, animal, creature, or plant lives. Taking action to reduce your carbon footprint and change minor aspects of your lifestyle can have a meaningful impact on the environment and local communities.