Living more sustainably

The biggest driver of environmental degradation is the fact that we’re consuming resources at an unsustainable rate, and therefore our production of goods is increasing. Sustainable living involves reducing the amount of the Earth’s resources that you use, to help protect it. There are a number of ways you can do this, including limiting the amount of energy you use, using eco-friendly products and changing your diet.

Here are some ways you can live more sustainably:

1. To conserve energy, switch off any electrical devices and lights when they are not being used, change your lightbulbs to energy-saving ones and insulate your home

2. Try to conserve water wherever you can. Using the dishwasher when full uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Also wash clothes at a lower temperature

3. Switch to renewable energy through your energy supplier

4. Reduce meat, dairy and fish and try to eliminate food waste

5. Wean yourself off of single-use plastics

6. Try to buy loose fruit and veg in supermarkets

7. Invest in reuseable and biodegradable products

8. Buy in bulk — the bigger the packet you buy, the less excess packaging

9. Use eco-friendly cleaning products

10. Boycott microbeads in cosmetics

11. Support sustainable brands by doing some research

12. Buy clothing made from natural fabrics

13. Walk and cycle to nearby places

14. Buy less and Reduce, Recycle, Reuse

15. Use your voice to campaign for greener solutions