Sustainable living for landlords and tenants

In 2021 more than 14,000 scientists from 153 countries have signed the research The World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency in the journal BioScience. Scientists who declared climate emergency in 2019 say Earth’s vital signs have worsened. Ripple and colleagues warned of untold suffering and declared a climate emergency. 1,990 jurisdictions in 34 countries have now formally declared or recognised a climate emergency.

There is evidence that we are nearing or have already crossed tipping points associated with critical parts of the Earth system. This is not a local problem, it is a global problem, and it is up to us to solve it. So on an everyday level, what can we do? How can we make a difference? In this article, we share everyday tips to change your mindset and contribute that can be crucial to saving the planet. It doesn’t matter if you are a tenant or a landlord. This is a guide that will help you live a more sustainable life.

Eat less meat

Cutting down on the amount of meat you eat can have a considerable impact. Even if it’s just for two or three days a week, not having meat can have a pretty significant impact on reducing your carbon footprint. Meat production is one of the most environmentally destructive industries on the planet since it is responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture industry. While some opt to drastically change their diets to vegan ones, simply reducing your meat intake can already make a difference.

Reduce what you buy

Every product we purchase has an environmental footprint, from the materials used to create it to the pollution emitted during manufacturing to the packaging that ends up in landfills. So before you buy, ask yourself if you need it and cut out needless buys. Living a sustainable life is about consuming less, embracing what you already own and what's already in your wardrobe.

Also, you can extend the life of your products by learning DIY techniques - learn how to hand-sew and stitch up a hole; transform your clothes; for example, a dress you don’t wear can be turned into a top and skirt. When you need to buy, there are some things you can do: consider buying second-hand instead of new since it is one of the easiest ways to shop sustainable; if you need to buy something new, look for eco-friendly materials with natural fibres and invest in better quality items that last longer. Also, items that you no longer need can get an extended life through resale (search for a secondhand retailer) or donation (find a nonprofit resale organisation).

Say No to Plastic

Plastic never goes away. Every year thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, and other marine mammals are killed after ingesting plastic or getting tangled up in it. A lot of plastics end up in the ocean as many people fail to recycle them properly. This results in a high rate of pollution in our oceans and the overall environment. Plastic bottles, for example, will break down into 10,000 microplastic pieces over time - and this microplastic pollution is incredibly hard to clean up. Plastic flooded our lives but giving it up isn’t as difficult as you might think. You can start cutting down on your plastic waste in a few simple steps:

Use reusable bags when you shop
Buy unpackaged fruit and vegetables
Choose to buy in bulk, taking your jars to bulk shops In traditional shops, opt for cans and recycled cardboard
Ditch single-use water bottles by using your refillable one
Buy package-free products, like shampoo, conditioner and body wash bars Always avoid products made from plastic and pick alternatives - forks, cups, razors, etc Invest in a metal or bamboo straw that is reusable
Choose a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic toothbrush

Reduce food waste

According to FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, about ⅓ of the world's food is lost or wasted. This waste has a significant impact on an Ecological level, as all the energy and water used for its production is also wasted, resulting, for example, in unnecessary carbon emissions. The causes are poor food planning, putting “bargains” in the trolley, inadequate packaging, improper storage, and cultural practices. Prevent food waste with smart, planned shopping and creative ways to consume what you purchase. If you have let your food go that little bit too far past its ‘best by’, then you need to be sure to compost it rather than putting it in the bin.

Buy locally

A powerful way to live more sustainably is to eat locally. The closer to home the products are made and bought, and the less carbon is created with their transportation. Also, you’ll be supporting the local economy. Supermarkets are stocked with fruits, vegetables, and other products from all over the world any time of year. But these products consume vast amounts of fossil fuel energy to get from those global locations to your corner supermarket. Shop at your local farmers market that supports community growers and small business economies.

Stop using your car

Cars are a significant cause of global warming, mainly due to the amount of pollution they emit. Changing your driving habits can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint. If you can, make the journey by foot, carpool, bike or public transport, then do it. Electric and hybrid cars are rising in popularity as they reduce overall emissions. This is mainly because electric vehicles run on batteries rather than a combusting fuel source. Driving, unless you’re in an electric vehicle, isn’t very eco-friendly.

Save energy

Energy conservation is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Kicking the fossil fuel habit is critical to slowing climate change. We share some actionable tips for you to take:

Consider changing your energy supplier to one that’s 100% renewable Explore the options for installing rooftop solar panels or solar water heating in your home
Please do not leave your electricals on standby since it needlessly uses up energy Use LED lighting instead of incandescent lighting since they are far more efficient
Open up your blinds and use as much natural light as possible before switching on your light bulbs Use a programmable thermostat for your air conditioning Check all weatherproofing on windows