Author: Grace Liu ’23
Do you want to help save our planet but also can’t be bothered to get out of bed? Well, this is the blog post for you! Here are some sustainability tips that require almost no effort at all.
Level 1 – Couch Potato
Don’t want to move an inch? There are plenty of ways to be green on the internet.
- Switch from Google to Ecosia – Plant trees from the comfort of your bed by using a green search engine. This free browser extension will plant a tree approximately every 45 web searches!
- Stay informed and share current events on social media
- Check your mail-in ballot status or find your local polling place!
Level 2 – Sweet Potato
These tips you can do from the comfort of your home. Some of them even require net negative effort!
- Take shorter showers – Need I remind you that nobody can see your legs on zoom? “Shave” minutes off your shower time instead and save gallons of water! While you’re at it, might as well let your hair air dry instead of blow drying.
- Eat more plant-based meals – Look, I’m not asking you to go fully vegan or anything, but do you realize how much time and effort it takes to cook a steak? You could whip up a quick veggie pasta or salad in a fraction of the time (and a fraction of the cost)!
- Adjust your thermostat – as the temperature cools down, there’s no need to turn the heating up. Instead, cozy up with some blankets and tea/coffee/hot chocolate.
Level 3 – Hot Potato
Who’s a couch potato? Not you! Here are some quick tips for when you’re out and about.
- Carry a reusable water bottle or utensils – Want to reduce your single-use plastic waste while safely dining out? Use a reusable water bottle or reusable utensils – all you need is a metal fork wrapped in a napkin for most meals!
- Buy ugly produce – Reduce food waste by picking the funny looking fruits and veggies while shopping. They are just as nutritious, and it’s what’s on the inside that matters 😉
- Bike/walk instead of driving – On the surface, this might sound like a lot of effort, but if you get your exercise in while commuting, there’s no need to go to the gym later…
Sustainability doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you’re surfing the internet or marching in a climate strike, we can all do something positive for the planet!
“Heart potato” by cuorhome is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0