There is a huge amount of statistics which show that climate change is happening, which is due to a lot of the activities that we do on a daily basis. Many times, it can be tempting to give up because it seems like no one else is trying to help the environment. However, you should still try to improve the environment. Here are six of simple ways how you can help improve the environment.

1. Shop Online

Even though shopping online may seem like it would burn more energy and create more carbon dioxide emissions. However, ordering online involves less power and carbon dioxide emissions. Many online companies are switching to eco-friendly packaging, which can be recycled.

2. Combine Your Errands

One of the best ways of cutting down on your emissions is to combine your errands, especially if you are driving your own vehicle. You should take time to plan one big grocery trip and make sure that you pick all your items up at the same time. The surprising thing about shopping is that multiple short trips can burn up twice as much fuel than one long trip does.

3. Meal Plan

Many people know that you should avoid shopping when you are hungry. However, walking around the store without a list will end up with you buying items that you are not going to use. This creates a huge amount of food waste. The best way to cut down on food waste is to plan out your meals for the week and make a list of the items that you will need. If you can stick to the meal plan, you should not have a lot of food left at the end of the week.

4. Understand What Expiration Dates are

There are different dates that are printed on food products. An expiration date refers to the quality of the item, not its safety. There is also the sell-by date, which is the deadline for the store to sell the item. The use-by date is when the item starts losing its flavors and quality. You can extend the shelf life of most food items by storing food in the correct manner.

5. Buy in Bulk

To save on packaging, you should be buying bulk food items that have long life spans. One large bag of rice uses less cardboard or plastic than 2 or more smaller packages. You should make sure that you can use the food before that it goes bad. If you and your family or friends buy the same items, you can save money and packaging by splitting larger packages. You will need your own reusable packaging if you use this method.

6. Bring Your Own Mug

The United States’ caffeine obsession leads to the average office worker throwing out around 500 cups every year. This is a huge amount of trash, which we can easily stop by carrying a travel cup. The bonus is that some coffee shops will provide a discount if you use your own mug.

Taking care of the environment is important. However, at times it can feel like what you are doing is not good enough. However, every simple activity that you do is helping the environment is some small way.

Many environmental organizations around the world are trying to inform the public about major environmental issues we are currently experiencing. Though the movements are quite big and popular, people seem to have forgotten all the major problems we face every day without even knowing.

Among them, there are 10 environmental crises not to be ignored since they will become a crucial issue in the next few years. If humankind continues to ignore them, then soon enough we will stand helpless in front of them.

Major Environmental Issues to Address

• Humankind has managed to pollute all living things. Air, water, and soil have been damaged beyond repair in the previous years. Industries and all motors are the prime reason for all kinds of pollution on Earth. People have managed to pollute oceans with metals and plastics, bringing as a result polluted fish that we eventually use as food.
• Global warming is a dangerous phenomenon scientists reported over a decade ago. The rising temperatures lead to the melting of polar ice caps. This in turn leads to rise of the sea level, which eventually causes floods, excessive snowfall and desertification.
• Earth also suffers from overpopulation. Research shows that human resources like water, food, and fuel, will not be enough for all the population of the world. At the moment, overpopulation is considered as one of the most crucial problems humankind must face in the years to come.
• Humankind has managed to produce extreme levels of waste. All developed countries produce annually a terrifying volume of waste, like garbage, which is then redirected to the already polluted oceans. Nuclear waste is another horrible factor in this problem since they are a direct threat to human life.
• Deforestation is another great impact of human life on Earth. Trees, which are responsible for the very air we breathe as well as regulation of temperature and rains have been almost completely cut from forests around the world. The percentage of green lands on Earth has now reached the terrifying number of 30% and continues to reduce.
• Humans have successfully managed to eradicate most animal species from the face of Earth. The whole nature’s balance is in danger every time humans manage to decimate yet another animal species. One important example is the elimination of coral life, which is essential to all marine life, which is definitely essential for human life as well. Humans are part of the same chain they are so desperately eager to destroy.

Most people want to ignore these issues, usually because they are not ready to face this truth. However, ignoring the fact that humankind will soon suffer serious consequences is not so far as we might want to believe. People need to realize the truth and attempt to correct their overall behavior. This planet does need a human presence in order to survive. Humans, however, desperately want Earth’s natural resources in order to continue to exist.