We all need to be more aware of nature and think about how we can make the world a cleaner, better place. There are some super easy ways to start going green and doing your part!
When you live in a city, it’s easy to feel disconnected from nature. Seeing concrete everywhere can make you forget what it’s like to be surrounded by greenery. This might make you feel like you’ve lost touch with your environment.
While you might think you need to take a camping trip or donate to an environmental NGO to reconnect with nature, you can actually do it directly, no matter where you are. Even if you can’t always see nature around you, you’re still impacting the environment with your actions every day.
For instance, think about something as simple as buying a tomato. If you have a choice between a tomato from a nearby location and one from far away, picking the local option is better for the environment. This is because the “food miles” it takes to get the distant tomato to you have a bigger environmental impact.
By recognizing the role your everyday choices play in the environment, you can start making decisions that are better for nature. Walking down busy city streets, it’s easy to overlook the life happening around you. But many species have adapted to city life and use the urban environment to their advantage. Spotting bird nests in corners of buildings can give you a new perspective on the city landscape.
Another way to appreciate nature in the city is by exploring at night. Once the bustle calms down, you can see remarkable sights like hedgehogs crossing the street or bats flying over a garden. Keeping an eye out can reveal that even cities are full of life, bringing nature into your urban experience.
The Keep It Local movement has gained popularity over the years for good reasons. Using the tomato example again, choosing local produce not only reduces food miles but also supports local farmers and the economy. These benefits might not seem directly related to nature, but they actually are. By choosing local, you’re promoting the local movement and reducing the demand for non-local or out-of-season produce.
Just as we help nature thrive, nature supports us. We’re symbiotic with our natural environment, exchanging our carbon dioxide for plants’ oxygen, harvesting crops, and spreading seeds. Given these benefits, it makes sense to immerse ourselves in nature. Even in a city, you can bring some greenery into your home with houseplants or a garden. If space is limited, a windowsill garden or miniature indoor greenhouse can create a tranquil and refreshing effect.
When facing an environmental threat like drought, don’t think your actions are too small to matter. Be proactive in reducing your water usage. You can skip your weekly car wash, flush the toilet less, and wear your clothes a bit longer before washing them.
If you want to go beyond day-to-day solutions to increase your harmony with nature, reach out to an environmental organization for hands-on opportunities. They can give you plenty of ideas to help you find a balance with the wonders of your natural environment.
