Happy First Day of Summer! School is out, temperatures are climbing, and we’re all already having visions of beach days and barbecues. The next few months are going to be full of summer fun, but it is also crucial to continue living sustainably so that our global temperature doesn’t rise any further. Follow these tips for a sustainable summer!
Unplug and enjoy the outdoors!
When it’s steamy outside, sometimes it is easy to stay inside in the air conditioning, but you won’t regret a trip outside knowing that it’s good for you and for the environment. Enjoy a quick bike ride or head to a local park for a few hours during the day. On the way out make sure to turn off your lights and unplug big appliances (also do this when you head out on vacations.) This will save you money and conserve energy!
Be conscious of trash
Barbecues and picnics are staple summer outings. These events can be fun, but it is crucial to clean up after yourself. Remember that the park or beach is a natural space that needs your help to be preserved! Always make an effort to leave these places how you found them!
Switch up your summer eats
How can we make summer dining more sustainable? There are lots of ways! Instead of grilling sausages or other meat, consider making a yummy grilled vegetable kebab instead (check out this recipe). For dessert, enjoy some refreshing fruit or even try making your own popsicles-you can make them with an ice tray or even pick up some reusable molds so you can try new recipes all summer long.
Invest in a water bottle
It is super important to hydrate during the summer months. Instead of spending money every day on disposable Poland Spring water bottles, consider investing in a reusable water bottle. Bottles come in a wide variety of prices, colors and designs (sometimes you can even get them for free!) They often hold more water than a non-reusable water and many are insulated to keep your water cold!
Green your vacation
Making your summer vacation a little more green makes all the difference. When searching for a hotel, note that TripAdvisor showcases many green accommodations through their Green Leaders initiative, and keep an eye out for the green seal from the Rainforest Alliance if you are travelling to Central or South America.
It’s a good idea to enjoy some refreshing fruit for dessert 🙂
Another thing to do in the future for easy energy savings is to close the blinds or curtains in your home to windows that get a lot of sun. Just this alone will go a long way in either reducing AC costs or even being able to turn it off because the climate is comfortable. There is a large amount of heat captured through a window.