Sustainability improves the quality of our lives, protects our ecosystem and preserves natural resources for future generations.

Sustainable living helps protect the environment and reduce wastefulness. *Sustainability is meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Living sustainably is an important practice for saving the environment and using our resources efficiently. 

Here’s a list of reasons why sustainable living is important:

1. Improves Air Quality

Maintaining a sustainable lifestyle helps reduce your carbon footprint. When a community pursues sustainability, air pollution reduces. Clean air is key to a healthy community.

2. Conserves Natural Resources

The earth has limited resources. Every time you turn on a light, for example, something is powering it. Most of this is powered by coal, natural gas and nuclear power. That means renewable energy sources like solar power, wind and geothermal are less likely to power homes.

Conserving this energy is a common way to go green at home. Conserving these natural resources is important for helping future generations meet their needs. This also includes how we use water, trees and our food supply. Having sustainable practices for our natural resources will keep them around for our needs and needs of the future.

3. Improves Community Health

The quality of our environment affects our health. Individuals taking steps for sustainability can help reduce the potential toxicity of the environment. Cleaner air, less waste and less pollution will help foster a healthier community.

4. Prepares For Growth

A sustainability minded community is better prepared for growth. A business practicing sustainability will save money, helping them to hire more employees and grow. A city practicing sustainability will have cleaner air and more natural resources available for a growing population. They will also have career opportunities in growing natural energy fields.

Conserving and sustaining our limited resources helps us prepare for our growing needs as populations rise. Using what we have efficiently, and finding new ways to power our lives will help us be prepared.

5. Maintains Resources For Future Generations

Perhaps the most important reason why sustainable living is important is so the world is inhabitable for future generations. Humans are one of the leading factors of climate change. Our plastic production and energy use of fossil fuels are just the tip of the iceberg. Burning through all our fuel, food and water while destroying the environment might be OK if no one else was coming after us. However, future generations of life ought to be considered. Making sure the air is clean and there are enough resources is our responsibility to future generations. Making a conscious effort to live sustainably helps ensure that there will be enough to meet their needs.

6. Slows Climate Change

The environmental impact of sustainable living can help slow climate change. *The scientific community generally agrees that we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 in order to stay below an average temperature rise of 2°C. Your individual sustainable life choices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On a larger scale, your community action can help influence sustainable policy. 

7. Assists Economic Development

Sustainable living offers an economic opportunity to communities. If the problem is energy efficiency, there are a number sustainable ways to solve that. Implementing renewable energy sources into a community expands the economy, can help lower costs long term, and can offer jobs in the short term.

Finding sustainable solutions to our limited resources often results an improved economy. *For example, if a company decides to come of with a creative solution for their waste management, that could result in a lot of positives. That could create a new position and therefore jobs. They could save money. That could lead to increased wages or lower prices. It could also lead to an improved reputation, which could lead to new customers who value sustainability.

With so much emphasis on helping the planet, sustainability is a hot topic – especially when it comes to home life.

Going green and making eco-friendly living a lifestyle choice for yourself and future generations is not only hugely important for the planet, but it can also save on household bills.

There are lots of ways we can make more sustainable switches at home, and it all adds up. To point you in the right direction, here, MoneyExpert.com CEO Jason Smith shares 10 top tips for living more sustainably…

1. Switch to a green energy provider
“One of the simplest and quickest ways to make a difference to the way you live is to switch to a green energy provider. All of the electricity you use through a 100% renewable tariff is effectively zero carbon.

“It’s so simple and easy to switch, and you can do so at any time – there really isn’t any excuse.”

2. Switch off!
“Leaving the TV on standby should be a thing of the past. It wastes needless energy and really increases your bills. It’s simple: if it’s not being used, switch it off! The same applies to lights, heating and any appliance.

“Having a smart meter in the house, in clear view, is also a clever way to track which electricity sources using the most energy. Noting this down can be an easy way to reduce consumption and your bills.”

3. Recycle
“Recycling couldn’t be easier nowadays, so it’s a mystery as to why more people aren’t taking the time to do so. If you’re confused, your local authority website will be able to share details of local recycling policies and what’s being done in your area.

“It’s never too late to consider what happens to packaging when it’s been used, so we should all be making this change.”

4. Eliminate plastic
“Eliminating plastic can be extremely tough, however, with more places offering paper bags and household products being more widely available in unpackaged form (everything from cleaning products to pulses and pasta), things are getting easier.

5. Get walking
“There’s no longer any justification for jumping in the car for short journeys. If you can walk to your destination in 20 minutes or less, then take some fresh air. Consider the impact of these short car journeys on the environment, and being more active can benefit our health too.”

6. Cut-down as much as possible
“Ask yourself this simple question: how long do I spend in the shower? If you’re shocked at your answer then it’s time to rethink. Whether it’s the time spent showering, how long the heating is on full whack, or how much time you spend re-boiling the kettle for that cup of tea you still haven’t got round to making – all this time, and energy, adds up. So, if you can shave a few minutes off your morning shower, then consider making that small change.

“We can also look to cut-down on our meat and dairy consumption, and buy fresh produce from Ireland, as this has a huge impact on the environment (increases pollution and fuels climate change). It’s not too much of a challenge to introduce ‘Meat-free Mondays’ to your household as a starting point.”

7. Turn down the thermo
“Moneyexpert.com recently revealed a number of heating hacks that we can use to keep our heating switched off for as long as possible. It’s cold outside, there’s no denying that, but our bodies are capable of surviving more traumatic things than the weather. Wear an extra jumper, wrap up in a blanket, put your coat on when you’re outside so you can feel the benefit.

“All tips we’ve heard time and time again, but they work. And you’ll thank yourself when your next electricity bill comes through.”

8. Switch to reusable cups for morning coffee
“So many of us need a barista-made morning coffee to begin our day, and it’s so encouraging to see the amount of coffee shops who reduce the cost if you bring your own reusable coffee cup. This is such a simple change that anybody can make, and is also an effective way to live more sustainably.”

9. Light up with LED
“Using LED light-bulbs is a no-brainer. Not only do they last longer, but they’re far more energy-efficient than conventional bulbs. And there’re so many different designs around now, you can achieve whatever effect you want for your home. You’ll be replacing the bulbs far less frequently too, so lots of savings in the long-run.”

10. Spread the word
“Speaking about environmental issues frequently will help other people to develop more of a green conscience. Setting an example is such a powerful thing, so we really shouldn’t forget how influential we can be.”

Sustainability improves the quality of our lives, protects our ecosystem and preserves natural resources for future generations.

Sustainable living helps protect the environment and reduce wastefulness.

*Sustainability is meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Living sustainably is an important practice for saving the environment and using our resources efficiently. 

12 WAYS TO LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY

• Go #PlasticFree.

• Drive less, drive green.

• Green your home.

• Be water wise.

• Choose Wild Energy.

• Think twice before shopping.

• Make sure your big purchases have big environmental benefits.

• Boycott products that endanger wildlife.

• Pay attention to labels.

• Take Extinction Off Your Plate.

• Choose to have a smaller family.