Be the change - Heart for Nature
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YOU can make a difference

Every day we make choices. Choices about what to eat, what to wear, what to buy, how to travel, what to do, etc.
If we want to take (better) care of nature, we have to take a look at these daily choices. Our daily behaviour.
By taking responsibility for our own behaviour, we take responsibility for a better world. We become an example and inspiration for others. And more and more people will become aware they can make a difference too.

How to make a difference?

In general:

Don't use more than you need

Buy natural products

Share

Limit trash and energy consumption

Separate waste

Be helpful

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60 things you can do

To inspire you, here are 60 things you could do:

Energy

  1. Choose for green energy from an energy supplier.
  2. Choose for green energy by installing solar roof panels.
  3. If you use electrical devices, use energy-saving electrical devices.
  4. Use energy-saving light bulbs instead of usual light bulbs.
  5. Switch light bulbs and electrical devices off when they are not needed.
  6. Isolate your home.
  7. Dry your laundry on a drying frame instead of putting it in the dryer.
  8. Wash at low temperatures if you use a washing machine.
  9. If possible, cook with the lid on. The water will boil faster this way, so you save energy.
  10. Turn off / lower the heat at night and when you are not at home.
  11. Turn off the airconditioning if you are not at home.

Waste

  1. Separate paper so it can be collected separately and recycled. You save forests!
  2. Separate organic waste for composting. In this way you give back to nature what nature has given to you.
  3. Separate plastic so it can be recycled or processed the right way instead of ending up in the oceans.
  4. Separate textile for reuse or recycling.
  5. Separate chemical waste like batteries and paint, to prevent them poisoning the environment.
  6. Separate glass for recycling.
  7. Separate old iron / metals for recycling
  8. Separate cans and cartons for drinks so they can be recycled.
  9. Don’t throw trash in the streets or in nature.
  10. Clean up litter that is left behind in the streets or in nature.

Travel

  1. If possible, walk or go by bike.
  2. Carpool or share a ride if you have any available seats in your car. You can find or share a ride on special carpool websites, like Blablacar in Europe.
  3. Share a car with friends, neighbours or family, for example.
  4. Travel by public transport.
  5. Reduce travelling by plane to a minimum.

Money

  1. Donate money to environmental organisations. Here is a short list to inspire you.
  2. Make a difference by choosing for a bank that cares for nature, sustainability, green energy, a better world, etc. Check your bank at the Fair Finance Guide International 

Food

  1. Eat organic food.
    These products are free from pesticides and therefore supportive to the environment.
  2. Eat less meat.
    If the demand for meat decreases, less factory farming is needed. Subsequently, the emission of greenhouse gases will decrease and forests that would otherwise be cut for factory farming will be saved.
  3. Choose for local products.
    Local products don’t have to be transported over a long distance, so their transport is more  environmentally friendly.
  4. Avoid eating fish that is endangered by overfishing. Instead choose for sustainable fish. Find your seafood guide here.
  5. When you buy fresh food (like fruit, vegetables and fish), choose for products close to the expiry date. In this way you prevent food waste.
  6. Don’t waste any food.

Clean & Care

  1. Use cleaners that are biodegradable
  2. Use softeners and laundry soap that are biodegradable
  3. Choose personal care products (cosmetics, bath products, shower gel, ladies hygiene, etc.) made of natural products.
  4. Use washable cleaning cloths instead of disposable ones.

Shopping

  1. Only buy/use what you really need.
  2. Buy something second-hand. New products might be more eco-friendly or more sustainable, but for many products it doesn’t make a difference. If you buy second-hand, no new product has to be made, so you contribute to less emission of greenhouse gases.
  3. Buy clothes made of natural fabrics (like cotton, wool, linen, silk) instead of synthetic clothes (acrylic, polyester and nylon for example). Synthetics contain microplastics. By washing synthetic clothes, these non-degradable fibres end up in the oceans. Read more
  4. Bring your own bag to the store to take your groceries or purchases home so you don’t need to buy a plastic bag in the shop.

Share

  1. Give away or sell things that you don’t need anymore.

Paper

  1. Consider the environment before printing. By using less paper you save trees and forests.
  2. In case you need to print, print double-sided if possible.
  3. Reuse pieces of paper as scrap paper.
  4. Say no to advertisement leaflets in your mailbox. Instead check the internet for sale items.
  5. Buy an ebook or borrow a book, instead of buying a paperback.

Green

  1. Plant a tree
  2. Plant flowers in your garden to take care of bees and butterflies.
    Read more in my post: why we should rewild our garden.
  3. Cultivate organic vegetables in your garden.
  4. Volunteer in nature projects

Be the change you wish to see in the world ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Voice

  1. Inspire other people to take (better) care of nature.
  2. Teach children to respect nature and how to take care of her.
  3. Vote for political parties that take care of nature.
  4. Sign petitions regarding nature conservation, protection of nature, animal welfare, etc. or start one by your own.
  5. Become a member of a nature conservation organisation

Love

  1. Cultivate love & compassion towards yourself and others. By doing so you will also cultivate love & compassion for the environment. I have written a blog about this. You can read it here.

Gratitude

  1. Being grateful for all nature gives you, connects you with nature and cultivates (more) respect, love and awareness towards nature.

Family

  1. The world population is growing every year. The more people there are on our planet, the more nature we need. Unfortunately, an increase in population results to more roads, buildings, houses, etc. at the expense of nature. Also, population growth leads to an increase in waste, consumption and pollution.
    By family planning you have an influence on the world population. Do you want to contribute to population growth, decrease or stabilization?