Events around the world constantly serve as a reminder that climate change is real, and its reversal is an arduous and collective process, one that we all have to work towards together. While we cannot stop global warming overnight, our daily choices can help slow down the process. Adopting a sustainable lifestyle and conscious living can take some time. But if you are keen on being the change, there’s no better day than Environment Day to start moving in this direction.

1. The bucket bath challenge

Did you know that a standard showerhead flows at an estimated rate of 9.25 litres per minute? This means that a ten-minute shower uses up to approximately 94 litres of water. You can do the math for a family of four or five who perhaps shower twice daily. An easy way to reduce water wastage is to take shorter showers (which, contrary to many people’s beliefs, is more than possible). One way you can ensure this is by installing special low-flow showerheads that use comparatively less water. Alternatively, you can opt for the good old-fashioned bucket bath, measure your douses by the mug, and prevent water waste. 

Similarly, you can replace the hose with a bucket and sponge to make your car washing ritual more sustainable. 

2. Watch your plastic usage

The all-pervasive plastic has permeated every part of our life, and often we end up using and wasting a lot more plastic without realizing it. One pro tip that can help you reduce your plastic usage is never leaving your house without reusable bags, whether you prefer cotton, jute or compostable. You could also flaunt an MG merchandise tote bag to rep your green thumb wherever you go. 

From sustainable clothing brands, to eco-friendly hygiene products there are several little ways that can help you make better choices everyday. Adopting habits like carrying your own water bottle and using reusable straws can reduce your use of single-use plastic. With several zero-waste stores in the country such as Code, EcoIndian, Adrish, Bare Necessities, and Green Mantra, you can indulge in a guilt-free shopping experience. 

3. Start a mini compost at home

Do you feel guilty every time you see the waste that is generated daily in your household? To reduce the volume of waste that piles up in landfills and pollutes the environment with methane, you can turn kitchen waste into gardening gold. Using kitchen scraps, peels and leftovers, start a backyard or balcony compost in a bin. This homemade compost is excellent for enriching garden soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, and helping retain soil moisture in plants. It’s perfect for anyone who loves gardening projects and has a home garden.  

4. Read labels carefully

Making the extra effort of reading labels on the products you buy can go a long way in encouraging conscientious shopping. For instance, if you love coffee, it’s a good idea to look for “shade-grown” coffee, which is grown without endangering forest habitats. Buying organic, local produce, or fair-trade can not only minimize your carbon footprint but can also help grow small businesses. Similarly, Energy Star ratings certify products that are energy efficient. There’s plenty of information available for you to learn more about sustainable brands if you truly want to make an impact through your actions. 

5. Be a climate champion

One of the easiest ways to educate yourself and your little ones is by supporting different eco-friendly initiatives such as Dinearth (biodegradable tableware), Ecobricks (reusable building solutions), Meramaali (urban gardening experience), Harimitti (urban farming experience at home), and more. Many such companies are revolutionising the world with their range of innovative and environmentally conscious products.  

And very often, travel gets a bad rep for not being the most climate-friendly element of human lifestyle. You might not be able to cut it out completely, but you can try becoming an eco-friendly traveller. Cars like the MG ZS EV 2021 are battery powered, can run for about 419* km on a single charge and produce zero emissions. In fact, with the new feature in the MG i-SMART mobile app, you can participate in the Eco-Tree challenge by tracking your CO2 savings. It also lets you view real-time progress and compete with friends and other ZS EV owners across the country to #ChangeWhatYouCan.

The first step in being climate-conscious is to be mindful of the impact of your daily actions and consumption. You don’t have to make a drastic transformation overnight; even making small lifestyle changes can go a long way in improving the future of our planet.