Keep Calm and Go Green
In recent years the world has seen more extreme heat waves worldwide. This summer alone, temperature records have been broken across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In some places, temperatures have gone above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. From power outages in Pakistan to the Queen’s Guard overheating in England, the global heatwaves have taken their toll.
As the earth heats up, recent studies have shown that extreme heat waves are 5x more likely. This explains the ever-increasing heat waves everyone is experiencing globally. One of the main causes of these recent hot temperatures is how we treat our environment.
Now more than ever, it is of utmost importance that we choose lifestyles that are environmentally conscious. Cars are an excellent example of how we can reduce
emissions and toxins that are released into our environment. From the initial extraction and creation of material to its use during the lifespan of the car, purchasing even a semi-electric car can reduce a person’s carbon footprint considerably and save you money on gas. Here are a few other creative ways to care for our environment.
Buy vintage. It is fun, in style and when you buy used clothing or furniture you are helping to reduce the 15 million tons of textile waste produced each year
Use reusable essentials like water bottles, thermoses, and food containers. This will also encourage you to save money by bringing food and beverages from home when you go out.
When shopping for home appliances, look for energy-efficient appliances, this will save you money on your future electricity bills.
Use Waze to avoid traffic jams, stop idling and wasting precious gas money.
Consider buying a hybrid or electric vehicle. With the purchase of a hybrid (not even a fully electric car) and if you are just driving locally, you will pay for very little gas, if any at all, and the electric charging at home will result in a minimal $5-10 increase on your future electricity bills.
Walk or bike, when possible, get fit while saving the world, need I say more?
Bring a reusable bag to the grocery store. One plastic bag can take up to 500 years or more to decompose in the landfill.
Give up hand washing your dishes and use a dishwasher. A chance to give up some housework is a golden opportunity. Recent studies show that letting your dishwasher do your dishes saves you money on your water bill as long as it is full before each use, and it is on economy setting.
Plant a garden. Make the air around you a little cleaner whilst saving some money on your grocery list by growing tomatoes and any other veggies you crave
Life for Relief and Development is no stranger to being environmentally conscious. In our partnership with Furniture Reuse Solutions, LIFE is sponsoring the cost of all furniture shipments, which are then used to support various organizations and their programs. These programs build and repair homes, distribute furniture to those in need, and are a resource to teen rehabilitation services for teens struggling with addiction. This is an ongoing collaboration that has seen millions of dollars in revenue for organizations in partnership with LIFE.
In addition to the philanthropic benefits received by the American public across the country, with every 100 shipments LIFE is saving approximately 214,000 gallons of gasoline. As well as the promotion and support of buying and using preloved items. This is substantial considering that LIFE has completed thousands of shipments of furniture that have helped hundreds of people in our community. LIFE cares about our environment and our future, this is reflected in the work that LIFE does. Join us in
supporting our environmentally conscious projects and making a considerable change in our community.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall
