When you’re eco-conscious, even the simplest activity can make you feel guilty. From jumping in a taxi to eating in a restaurant, it’s almost impossible to find activities that are carbon neutral. To make it easier, here are seven eco-friendly activities that anyone can do.
1. Local hike
Although a trip to the countryside might sound like a road to nowhere green, going for a hike is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Most trails are within easy reach of public transport and by taking your own food and drink with you, you won’t be contributing to landfill or overloading any transport systems either.
2. Sustainable cooking
It’s been said a million times before, but it’s true – electric cookers use less energy than gas or solid fuel versions. Not only that, they remove the need to use fire and even reduce air pollution from cooking fumes. If you can’t afford a cooker straight away, go for an induction hob for the same effect. If you can’t manage that either, make sure your cooker is in good working order and only use it for as long as necessary.
3. Mountain biking
If you’re a keen cyclist, but don’t know where to start when it comes to e-bikes, why not try mountain biking? The uphills give you a workout and the downhills are great fun. Plus, you can pick up a second-hand bike for next to nothing or hire one if you’re not ready to commit. If you don’t like the idea of exercise, why not try an e-bike?
4. Public transportation road trip
Take your own boiled eggs, sandwiches, and snacks with you when you travel by bus or train, and make sure you get the most out of your journey. Why not read a book? You’ll save on petrol costs, too! And while public transport has an image problem in some parts of the country, it’s often much greener than cars, even if the latter are electric.
5. Go to a vegan restaurant
Vegan restaurants are popping up in most major cities around the world, proving that you can eat out without harming the environment. Just check out all the plant based restaurants Chicago has to offer. Not only is meat off the menu but these places often use local produce wherever they can, reducing food miles to a minimum.
6. Join a sustainable tour
If you’re interested in visiting a certain place, why not sign up for one of the many eco-tours that are on offer? From wildlife spotting to birdwatching and kayaking, there’s something for everyone. Plus it helps the local economy and supports the locals who provide these kinds of services. It might cost more than splashing out in the local pub, but it’s well worth it when you think about all the benefits.
7. Exercise outdoors
When we exercise we get hot and sweaty, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Take your workout outdoors and you can benefit from fresh air, sunshine, and low humidity. It might even make you feel better about yourself! Not only will you improve your fitness levels by exercising outside but studies show that your mood improves, too.
