MFMThere’s no denying the climate crisis and how all of us play a role in it, no matter how big or small. From how we choose to commute to and from work to the types of food we eat and everywhere in between, our behaviors make a difference. You may be scoffing, thinking that steps you take won’t impact change, but they can and will. So, let’s take a look at what you can start doing today to make the world a better place; whether you plan or have children or not, let’s leave Earth better than we found it.
Go Green Guys
There are so many ways you can go green. Whether you want to start an urban garden on your rooftop, cultivate your green thumb by owning beneficial houseplants, or turning your yard into a virtual farm, getting familiar with how to grow plants, fruits and vegetables is a great skill to earn. It’s also something pretty impressive to talk about on dates with potential partners.
Other ways to go green are buying packaged products more sustainably, choosing to eat less meat, and a more plant-based lifestyle; stop buying single-use items, you get the idea. Now start implementing it. We’re past the point of talking about a good game, and we need to start following through.
Make Positive Purchases
The impact of fast fashion is enormous when it comes to the environment. While sometimes we genuinely love a fast-fashion piece, if you feel like the purchase will have a net positive in that you’ll wear it a lot and it won’t end up in a landfill or donation center within a few months, then make the purchase. But, if you can, try to make more mindful purchases on better-constructed, higher-quality items. On top of the fact that these items are typically made more sustainably, they’re going to last you a lot longer. Add to that, and high-end garments tend to look and feel better on; you’ll wear them more often and get a ton of use out of them.
Another area you can apply the positive purchase mindset is pretty much anywhere you look around your home. You are purchasing higher quality cookware, electronics, furniture. It’s going to be a more significant investment upfront, but these items will last you (possibly) your lifetime with no need to replace them. They’re also usually more attractive to the eye, which means they’ll never go out of style. Additionally, they’re likely to be made in a more ethical way with less toxic by-products during manufacturing; and especially when it comes to what you’re cooking with or drinking out of, this is nothing but beneficial to you and the environment.
Lastly, when it comes to things you purchase, go clean when it comes to the products you use on your body and surround yourself with. Using a clean face wash is not only healthier for your skin but the planet. The same goes for your laundry detergent. When it comes to cleaning your home with safer, green products, not only do they typically smell cleaner and better, you can feel safe using them around yourself and your pets (if you have any).
Consider Minimalism
We all love money. Is that even a question? Not that we need to be money worshippers, but who doesn’t love the idea of retiring by 40 or 50? Do some men do it by 30? How you might ask – through living a frugal, minimalist, and intentional lifestyle. When you decide to spend less money on frivolous things you don’t need, you have more freedom with the money you saved. Whether you put that towards early retirement or more vacations is ultimately up to you, but money is freedom no matter how you look at it.
Another benefit of trying life of minimalism is as you go through the decluttering process, you’ll come across plenty of things that you can sell, which is more money in your pocket. Sure, it takes some time to photograph and list the items, but in the end, it’s more money to stack.
These are just a few things that guys can do to positively impact the environment and leave the planet better than we found it. You may be in a mindset right now where you don’t want to have children, who deserve a cleaner future, but that could change if and when you meet “the one” if you’re even looking for that. The point is, if we all make small efforts together, they’re going to add up to massive impacts, so don’t get discouraged; get going. Here’s to the future!