World Earth Day was established over 50 years ago in order to bring together environmentalists and highlight the urgent action that we need to take to restore the health of our planet. Whilst the issues associated with climate change have grown more serious with each passing year, there is more hope and more willingness to protect our environment than ever before. Read on to find out what small changes you can make this Earth Day (and every day!) to make your lifestyle more sustainable.
Prioritise plant-based
More and more people are turning to plant-based options and alternatives in a bid to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, with the number of signups to initiatives such as Veganuary growing year on year. But what is it that makes a plant-based lifestyle the more sustainable choice?
The growing population and increased appetite for animal food sources has made the current food system unsustainable – the greater use of natural resources such as land and water causes environmental damage that’s incomparable to any other food products[i]. Among many other reasons, a plant-based diet is simply more efficient – eating plants (rather than eating animals who eat plants) cuts out the environmental burden of animal food production.
While many people have somewhat seamlessly transitioned into a plant-based lifestyle, others are left wondering how they can leave behind the foods that they’ve enjoyed for so long. But a more sustainable lifestyle has to be, well, sustainable! So why not try having one vegan meal per day, one vegan day per week or just try and make plant-based swaps where possible. And don’t forget, if you are more plant-based, there are certain supplements which are particularly important to make sure you’re not missing out on nutrients.
Invest in reusable products
Switching from single-use products to reusable ones can be a challenge – after all, single use products are designed to be convenient! The problem is once we’ve used them, we simply discard of them - many of us not stopping to think where the product will end up. Sadly, it’s often in landfill or the ocean, damaging the environment and the wildlife within it.
Luckily, there are loads of eco-friendly and reusable alternatives available now, with options to suit every lifestyle. For instance, did you know that switching to a reusable water bottle could prevent the use of more than 100 plastic bottles every year? Not only can reusable bottles benefit the health of the planet, they can benefit our health too. That’s because plastic bottles contain a substance known as BPA, which breaks down in rising temperatures and can cause toxic chemicals to transfer into your water. Even more reason to make the switch!
Grow your own
Growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs can benefit the environment in a number of ways – all you need is some seeds, water and some outdoor space (big or small!). But what is it about growing your own produce that means you’re helping to protect our planet?
As organically grown food doesn’t require any herbicides or pesticides, it prevents any air and water pollution. What’s more, air pollution is further minimised as no transport is required to get the food from its source to your plate. Growing your own can also help to minimise waste, as you’re much less likely to throw away food that you’ve spent your time producing. If those reasons aren’t enough, it even means there’s no need for packaging, taking you one step closer to a plastic-free lifestyle!
Choose sustainably sourced
Documentaries such as Seaspiracy have made the masses think more carefully than ever before about how sustainable their food choices are. But how often do you think about the sustainability of the ingredients within your supplements?
Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful® Pure Seaweed capsules contain 100% sustainably sourced seaweed - and nothing else! Sustainable seaweed farming is increasingly recognised as a great way to offset carbon emissions, with a seaweed forest able to absorb as much as 20 times more carbon than the same area of forest on land[ii]. What’s more, it doesn’t come with the same challenges as land farming – it grows abundantly without fertiliser, and it doesn’t require fresh water or land space.
Click here to explore the full range of Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful sustainably sourced seaweed supplements.