Less is More

Easy ways to be kinder to the Earth

Now more than ever we are beginning to understand the true environmental cost of our endeavours for human progress. In the selfish act of tailoring the world to our wants and needs, we have destroyed habitats, caused the extinction of species, melted ice caps and irreversibly altered our planet’s atmosphere. While climate change is a complex problem that requires the cooperation of entire countries and giant corporations, it would be negligent to suggest that there isn’t anything we can do as individuals to slow the devastation we are all incriminated in.

We are a simultaneously proactive and incredibly lazy species, both qualities perpetuating much of the creation and technology that has emerged in the last century. It is also our inherent laziness that has allowed so many of us to turn a blind eye to the effects of our actions, believing that another generation would be able to find a suitable solution.

But being environmentally-friendly does not have to be as arduous a task as the whistleblowers of years past made it out to be. You don’t have to convert to a hippie lifestyle overnight, sleep in a hammock and eat quinoa for the rest of your life. Living sustainably is not about drastic change for maximum impact, but about making simple yet informed choices—having that extra second of process time before you do something by habit, and reflecting on the reasons behind your actions.

Without further ado, here are twelve ideas to consider to reduce your individual carbon footprint:

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Cut down your intake of animal products

When you grow up eating meat and dairy, it’s natural to be dependent on these items for the basis of your nutrition. Start gradually and test out what works. Being ‘flexitarian’ and moving towards a more plant-based diet is the most effective way to reduce your individual carbon footprint.

BungaTINI, London

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Buy less, or buy better

Ask yourself if the item you want is necessary, what its longevity will be, and if you could find a better alternative. Is it reusable/is the style timeless? Do you already have it? Can you source it locally to reduce the environmental impact of delivery? Are you investing in a business that will treat its workers fairly, support a local community and care about its carbon footprint? No brand or item is perfect, but opt for more ethical choices where you can. Look for the shops and initiatives that are committed to doing better in the long run; whether through materials, production, fair labour or environmental initiatives.

sur le chemin, Copenhagen

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Don’t jump on sales

Consider the above and instead of looking to buy because there’s a sale, only look at a sale when you need to buy something. Remember that more often than not, sales are a marketing ploy rather than an actual bargain for the consumer.

Artists & Fleas, New York

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Eco-friendly movement

Travel by foot, bike, bus and train where you can or carbon-offset your flights if flying is required. Many flight filtering sites now have the option to view flights with lower CO2 emissions than average.

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Keep it circular

Organise a clothes swap or buy second-hand from vintage and charity shops, to discourage further fast-fashion production. Consider curating a capsule wardrobe, so that each piece is good quality, timeless in style and versatile to wear.

Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

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Travel lightly

Stay in eco-conscious hostels or hotels; refuse cleaning services where you can, bring your own toiletries and leave any complimentary ones untouched. Instead of accepting more bottled water refills, you can boil tap water using a kettle, allow to cool with the lid off in your water bottle and then chill in the fridge.

Scandic Hotel, Copenhagen

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Tap water is water

Drink tap water where it’s safe to do so (you can purchase reusable metal water bottles with filters, or a natural charcoal filter, if you have an issue with drinking hard water) instead of buying bottles.

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Don’t be a hoarder

Don’t accept gifts when they’re not needed and don’t be afraid to regift unused items to someone who might appreciate it more. You are preventing a new product from going to waste.

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Swap out single use

For example:

Reusable period supplies such as high-absorption underwear, menstrual cups and washable pads/pantyliners

Natural bar soap and deodorant (e.g. by Humankind and Package Free’s options)

Refills over disposable—check that they come in plastic-free packaging as well!

Multi-functional products e.g. a single moisturising balm for chapped lips, scars, burns, dry patches, peeling etc. (Bepanthen is our wonder cream of choice. A little goes a long way!)

Clean out glass jars and reuse them for pantry staples, instead of buying new jars or containers

House of WOO, Los Angeles

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Go paperless

Keep a digital calendar synced with all of your accounts and devices and type notes rather than writing them out on paper or in a notebook. Use e-tickets for flights and events rather than printing. Books can pile up and become expensive, so it’s worth finding some e-books to read (there are plenty of classics available to read for free via the Kindle app or simply on your web browser). If you’re studying, there’s a good chance some of your materials or textbooks are available digitally—ask your tutors or professors if you can refer to this in class rather than printing handouts.

Question how attached the physicality of an object is to the sentiment. Is a birthday card covered in glitter (which, on a related side note, contributes to the issue of microplastics) really any more special than a text message at the stroke of midnight or a video call where you reluctantly sing ‘Happy Birthday’?

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Mindful consumption

The amount of food we waste in the developed world while hunger and famine continue to kill millions of people each year is shocking, to say the least. Worse still, the methane produced by rotting food in landfill plays a significant role in global warming. Be more mindful with your food by:

Learning how to compost (this can also be done indoors with inexpensive composting bins)

Only buying what you need and steering clear of multi-product deals

Freezing unused fresh foods like leftover fruits, vegetables and bread—save vegetable offcuts to make vegetable stock for soups, stews, sauces, curries and more

Blending leftover or scraps of fruit and veg into smoothies (you could then freeze them into ice lollies)

Use up items that are nearing the end of their lifespan by searching for a recipe based on ingredients you already have (e.g. apps like Supercook)

Atelier September, Copenhagen

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Turn it off!

And finally, the simplest task you’ve been told since childhood but always needs some reminding—turn it off. Turn off plugs when you’re not using them (or unplug if your sockets don’t have this feature) so they don’t consume standby energy. Turn off lights and lamps in rooms when you’re not using them. Avoid keeping your devices on constant charge (this is better for the overall battery health of your devices, too!).

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…sometimes, it’s a good thing to disconnect.

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More sustainable ideas…