10 Ways You Can Help Preserve the Earth

The United Nations emphasizes that climate change isn't just the central issue of our era, but we're also at a pivotal moment in history. Shifting weather patterns threaten agricultural production, while rising sea levels could lead to disastrous flooding globally. Governments must take bold action to prevent irreversible damage to ecosystems and our planet's climate.

So what role can individuals play? How can we contribute to saving Earth? There are countless steps we can take every day to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our carbon footprint, helping to lessen our impact on the planet.

Caring for Earth is not just a duty; it's essential. With that in mind, Mytour presents 10 actions you can take today to help protect our planet.

1. Save Water

Small actions can lead to significant change. By simply turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, you're already making a positive impact.

Got a dripping faucet? You could be wasting as much as 90 gallons (340 liters) of water daily [source: EPA]. So, fix it! It's a simple and inexpensive fix.

And quit buying bottled water. Opt for filtered tap water instead. You'll save money and cut down on plastic waste at the same time.

2. Adopt a More Eco-Friendly Driving Habit

If possible, try to stay off the roads at least two days a week or more. Doing so can help you cut down your greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 1,590 pounds (721 kilograms) annually [source: EPA]. It’s simpler than you might think — you can group your errands together, making a single trip to the school, grocery store, and dog daycare.

Consider discussing remote work options with your employer for certain days of the week. This can be beneficial for both you and the organization.

Being mindful about your car also involves regular maintenance. Proper tire inflation can improve your gas mileage by 0.6% to 3%. Don’t forget to address any necessary repairs if your vehicle isn’t passing emissions tests [source: EPA].

3. Choose Walking, Cycling, or Public Transit

Walking and biking are straightforward ways to cut down on greenhouse gases. Plus, you'll get some exercise and burn calories while you're at it.

If you live in an area that isn’t ideal for walking, consider using public transportation or carpooling. Even removing one car from the road makes a difference.

4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

By simply placing that soda can in the recycling bin, you can contribute to reducing pollution. Every little bit counts. The same goes for paper. The typical American household discards 13,000 individual pieces of paper each year, mostly junk mail and packaging [source: Brigham Young University].

You can also help by bringing reusable bags to the store and opting out of disposable plates, cutlery, glasses, and napkins. Reach out to companies sending you junk mail and ask to be removed from their mailing lists.

When making online purchases, try to consolidate your orders to minimize the number of packages shipped. Choose products made from recycled materials. And don’t forget to recycle your paper too. Every action makes a difference.

5. Give Composting a Try

In 2018, the most recent year for which data is available, Americans produced 292.4 million tons (265.3 million metric tons) of waste. Only 25 million tons (23 million metric tons) of that waste was composted. Some was recycled, some was used for energy recovery, but half—146 million tons (132 million metric tons)—ended up in landfills.

Imagine if you could redirect more of that waste to your own compost pile: It would help decrease the amount of solid waste you generate and what ultimately ends up in your local landfill. Plus, compost serves as a wonderful organic fertilizer.

6. Switch to LEDs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are a great choice. They last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and consume at least two-thirds less energy, but they do have their drawbacks. Disposal is tricky since they contain mercury.

Enter light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. They produce light within a very specific wavelength range, making them highly energy-efficient.

Start swapping out your old incandescent bulbs for LEDs if you haven’t done so already. While they cost more than CFLs and incandescent bulbs, LEDs can last at least 30,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours for incandescent bulbs or 8,000 to 10,000 hours for CFLs.

7. Live Energy Wise

Improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money. Windows are responsible for 25 to 30 percent of heat gain and loss in your home. If they’re outdated and inefficient, it might be time to replace them.

Ensure your home is properly insulated as well. Insulation is rated by its thermal resistance, known as R-value—the higher the R-value, the better the insulation. The amount of insulation your home needs depends on your local climate, the type of HVAC system, and the areas you're insulating.

Smaller things you can do right away include replacing your air filter regularly so your HVAC system doesn't have to work overtime. Keep your window coverings (e.g., curtains or blinds) closed when it's extremely hot and cold outside.

You can also consider installing a programmable thermostat like Nest so your system isn't running (and wasting energy) when you're not home.

8. Eat Sustainable Foods

Today, large-scale food production accounts for as much as 25 percent of the greenhouse emissions. So how do you eat sustainably? Choosing food from farmers that aim to conserve the natural resources and have as little impact on the land as possible.

But even buying as much as you can from local farmers makes a difference. Eating more whole grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts, and less red meats and processed foods does too. You can also try growing your own fruits and vegetables. Grow a garden!

9. Plant a Tree (or Two)

The 2023 United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report found that things are worse now than ever before. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and most countries are not reducing carbon emissions.

But there is a natural way to combat climate change: Plant a tree.

Plants naturally absorb carbon from the air. One young tree can absorb CO2 at a rate of 13 pounds (5 kilograms) per tree. Every. Single. Year.

And that's just an itty bitty baby tree. Once that tree reaches about 10 years old, it's at its most productive stage of carbon storage. Then it can absorb 48 pounds (21 kilograms) of CO2 per year.

Trees play a significant role in purifying the air, as they absorb harmful substances like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and tiny particles. So, planting a tree is a beneficial action for everyone.

10. Eliminate Plastic Waste

The numbers are staggering: Across the globe, people purchase 1 million plastic water bottles every minute and use up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags annually.

Humanity is deeply reliant on plastic, and only a small fraction — roughly 9 percent — is recycled. An alarming 68 to 219 million tons (75 to 199 million metric tons) of plastic currently pollutes our oceans.

Break the cycle. Stop purchasing bottled water. Reject plastic shopping bags in favor of reusable cloth bags. Say no to plastic straws and opt for a reusable cup instead of a disposable plastic one. Reducing plastic use can significantly cut down on waste in both oceans and landfills.

This story is part of Covering Climate Now, a global initiative uniting over 250 news outlets to enhance climate-related journalism.