Fun and Easy Sustainable Living Tips to Save the Planet

Did you know that UNICEF’s report estimated that 700 million people could experience water scarcity by 2030? It's 2024 already and on one side, plastic pollution is choking our oceans while the poor-quality food and air is choking us on the other.

We're basically all living that meme of the dog sitting inside a burning house saying “This is fine”. Denying the dire state of our environment is not going to save you or your future generation. We are all intertwined and this world is a reflection of our actions. It's only right that this world's suffering will affect us too.

But what if we said it's never too late to make a change? Welcome to the brave new world of sustainable living!

It has the triple bonus of being good for your health, your wallet, and the planet! We at Kofuku have gathered the most sensible reasons why you should adopt this eco-friendly lifestyle and exactly how to do it.

Make these your mantra and slide them into your daily routine. Be the example you wish to see and save our home!

If you for a second think that chucking that 5 Star wrapper in the plastic waste bin is not that big of a help, let us reassure you that you're sorely wrong. Meeting our present needs without compromising our kids to meet theirs? That’s what every small eco-friendly choice leads to.

It's about making conscious changes that minimise our impact while promoting a healthy planet. But the benefits of this extend far beyond just saving the Earth (although that's pretty far up there on the list!).

Going green will literally save your life. Let’s find out how!

Living sustainably doesn't mean you have to completely overhaul your life. It's a simple replacement that will help you in the long run. Here are some easy-to-implement tips that can make a big difference:

For a Healthier You

Would you believe us if we said eating a sustainable diet can actually help you too? Good thing you don't have to take our word alone for it because we've got them receipts! Studies have proved that there's basically an intense UST between sustainable diets and a lower risk of chronic illnesses. Like they're really into each other, the unresolved part is of course because not many (looking at you) eat food that can literally reduce their chances of heart disease. The reliance on processed foods also goes down as they'd rather opt for fresh, local produce which often means consuming fewer chemicals and more nutrients.

A definite win for your well-being!

Save Some Green (Literally!)

Eco-conscious choices often translate to saving money. Opting for energy-efficient appliances, and reducing your overall consumption of finite resources can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. Investing in materials that last a lifetime can remove the need to keep buying easily breakable plastic stuff.

The “Save The Turtles” campaign came to do one thing and did it flawlessly. After all, we did get the front-row seats to see how much of a menace plastic bags were to our little sea friends.

To avoid the little fiends from ending up in landfills or the bottom of the ocean, we recommend buying a few reusable tote bags and keeping them handy for shopping trips, bonus points if they've got cute designs or funny slogans. Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint and plastic waste, but you'll also be saving money on those pesky bag fees at the checkout.

Another easy W!

Bottled Waters are Actually Killing Us

Single-use plastic water bottles are the bane of every environmentalist’s existence. We heard they make lengthy hate posts about them on Reddit every year on World Environment Day to really drive home the point.

They're right in their hatred because most macro plastics like shopping bags, caps, cigarettes, cups, and straws (think of the turtles!) make up 88% of global plastic waste. So, simply having a reusable water bottle not only helps you make those baby steps towards an eco-friendly lifestyle, but it can also help you stay hydrated.

We're Talking Long-term Energy Efficiency

From switching off lights in empty rooms to unplugging your charger after you've sat through uncomfortably holding your phone aloft just to doom scroll Instagram, small changes in your daily habits can lead to big energy savings. Even if it sounds like an end-of-season sale ad, it’s the truth!

One of the most tried and tested green living tips is to invest in energy-efficient light bulbs and electronics. Because even though they might cost a bit more upfront than your run-of-the-mill stuff, they'll save your electricity bills from reaching numbers that make you seriously reconsider if you need hot water in the middle of December.

We are playing the long game!

Say Hello to Our Saviour: Plant-Based Meal

While you don't have to become a full-blown vegan overnight, incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet can significantly reduce your environmental footprint.

For one, meat production requires a lot of land, water, and other resources. So, simply swapping them out for a vegetarian option even once or twice a week can get you that much closer to sustainable living. And two, early-stage research shows that a plant-based diet can help with chronic conditions like Type-2 Diabetes and even some variants of cancers.

The Joy of Going Local and Seasonal

Eating local and seasonal produce benefits both your health and the environment. India is known for its markets with abundant locally grown food. And here's an obvious reason we don't think of that often: locally sourced stuff travels shorter distances ergo reduced transportation emissions. They are essentially the best choice for someone trying to go full into the eco-friendly lifestyle.

It doesn't hurt that seasonal produce is fresher and more flavorful all the while supporting our local farmers!

Fashionista with a Conscience

Here's the most ridiculous and sad fact we've had the displeasure of knowing: it takes 7,600 litres of water to make a single pair of jeans. So It’s safe to say the fashion industry does have a significant environmental impact. The fact that they're using such a precious resource at all, that too in thousands should be an indicator.

With all that in mind, it's better to buy fewer but high-quality clothes that will last longer. We're not asking you to go into threadbare essentials. You can be fashionable without sacrificing your non-renewable resources.

The recent popularity of thrift stores is also something to consider. Pre-loved doesn't have to mean pre-worn - you can often find cheaper deals on gently used clothing, some of them even being rare vintage collections.

Make some noise for EVs

Primarily because they don’t make any, that’s exactly how the age of EVs has snuck up on us so suddenly. From somewhere close to one million electric vehicles in 2015, the number has shot up to more than 40 million globally in the past decade. In fact, the International Energy Agency has presented a forecast of 17 million EVs getting sold in 2024 alone.

Despite some controversies, EVs are surely the way forward. EVs are much more efficient with energy and after the range-anxieties subside, the ICEs will be things for just vintage rallies.

Living sustainably in India definitely presents unique opportunities and challenges. We are traditionally a country whose inherent practices minimize environmental impact. From using reusable cloth bags for shopping to the widespread adoption of vegetarian and plant-based meals, there's a strong foundation to build upon.

Challenges do exist, however. Rapid urbanization and a growing population put pressure on the limited resources. Waste management has always been one of our main concerns, with a large portion of waste ending up in over 3,100 landfills that are spread throughout the country. And you have to understand the sheer size of them. Most of them reach almost 70 acres of empty space that's just got nothing but mountains of trash.

The good news is that environmentalists and activists are raising awareness of these issues. Initiatives like LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), presented at the G20 summit, emphasize mindful consumption and a move away from excessive waste to promote eco-conscious choices.

Even the famous Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) promotes waste reduction and cleanliness. These are two main steps taken by the government that align with the global movement towards sustainability. It's important to stress their involvement because government incentives have created the urgency among Indians that this issue deserves.

Hospitals and medical facilities suck up huge amounts of energy and resources and often end up with an equally impressive amount of waste. But with a bit of awareness, the system can be changed enough to make eco-conscious choices and rectify the harm. Here are some ways the healthcare industry is redefining sustainability to fit both their needs and the planet's:

• Hospitals are taking up any and every energy-saving measures, for example, using LED lighting and upgrading equipment to ones that use less energy.

• Addressing one of their other problem children - waste management. This includes living and breathing the golden 3 R’s - Reusable medical supplies, Recycling waste, and Reducing paper waste by going digital.

• New healthcare centers are being designed with sustainability in mind. Features like natural light, water-saving fixtures, and sustainable building materials are being used as alternatives to the cheaper and more harmful counterparts.

• Hospitals are taking to eco-friendly products like recycled tissue paper and equipment made with recycled materials or manufactured using less energy like a duck to water. Having a bunch of people who genuinely just want to heal helps.

• Sustainable healthcare practice goes beyond taking care of existing health issues. With a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent the strain on the systems as a whole by minimizing your visits and even preventing yourself from chronic illnesses.

The healthcare industry can start to undo some of the harm and reduce its carbon footprint by further developing some of these measures to their locality and needs. After all, a healthy planet is essential for a healthy population!

Through sustainable living, you as an individual can contribute to making our planet a better place, even though there are big harmful corporations out there that still exist to negate the effect. So don't get discouraged if you slip up here and there. Being mindful and moving forward is more than enough. Every small step you take adds up and helps make a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations.

By making eco-conscious choices and adopting sustainable practices, you're taking control of your health, finances, and impact. It's a powerful feeling, and it can inspire others to do the same.

So, let's embrace a new lifestyle, one eco-friendly step at a time!