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Environmental sustainability should be on everyone’s agenda in the world of today. Global warming and climate change is set to become one of the key challenges for humanity to resolve in the coming decades. The threats of rising sea levels, severe weather patterns, and the potential for droughts and famines are very real. As a consumer, we all have the power to do our bit to reduce the impact we have on our environment and minimize our carbon footprint. Here are some key points to consider when making your future purchase decisions for various products that will help safeguard our beautiful planet and ensure that it is habitable for future generations.
Make smart tech buying decisions
Most consumers will have multiple pieces of tech in their homes and when they are out and about. It is a reflection of modern life that most consumers cannot be without their smartphones and laptops for business, their social lives, and to stay connected with each other. As consumers, we can make smarter choices when buying tech equipment. For example, when making the decision to buy your next laptop, it is counterproductive to buy an ultra-budget model. Of course, it will be a smaller investment. However, laptops are difficult to upgrade (apart from components such as RAM), and a budget laptop will have a shorter effective life before it becomes obsolete and needs to be replaced. The production of laptops involves huge amounts of energy, and a study found that 70% of laptop energy used in the life of the machine is consumed in its manufacturing process. It makes sense to opt for a laptop with higher-end components such as those found in AMD Ryzen 5 PCs. Buying a laptop with higher performance ensures that it will remain future-proof for longer, and you will need to purchase fewer over the course of your lifetime.
Consider sustainable materials for your home
When you are thinking about home improvements and renovations, look to core materials that come from sustainable sources. One excellent material for building and furniture is bamboo. Because of its ultra quick-growing characteristics, it is a very “green” natural material. It can be used easily in furniture as it has strong and light properties. Cork is another perfect material for décor in and around your home. Because cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, and the bark replenishes itself every nine years, it is another excellent sustainable source. It can be used in flooring and building insulation very effectively as well as being used for notice boards!
Buy used products and freecycle
While there is an almost subconscious desire to buy new products in this consumer age, the growing trend is one of purchasing used products and getting involved in freecycling schemes where old products are offered to others for no charge (other than collection). This is a perfect way to reuse unwanted products and reduce the reliance on newly manufactured products with their associated energy costs in production. When shopping for non-consumable household items, also look to the second-hand markets for a variety of products. If we reuse our products more effectively, we reduce the demand for high energy consumption in the manufacturing industries, which on a global scale could dramatically reduce energy requirements and lower the threats posed by climate change.