With the recent news of how we only have 12 years to make a difference to our planet, it is crucial for all of us to make a more conscious effort when it comes to the environment. To be more mindful about what we are consuming, throwing away and how our lifestyle choices are harming Mother Nature, it takes dedication and resilience. You cannot decide to lower your meat consumption one day and then eat half a cow the next. When it comes to changing the way we live, there is no simple fix. It will take time to adapt to your new lifestyle, and while you may slip up at the beginning, it is important never to throw in the towel.

Here are three ways to live a more mindful life:

1.    Change your diet

Eating less meat and more locally sourced vegetables and fruits can dramatically lower your carbon footprint. While it is ingrained in us to eat meat, we have turned into a meat-obsessed culture, where the farming of cows can cause too much greenhouse emissions that, in turn, harm the planet. You do not have to become vegetarian or vegan, but having meat-free days or meals can make a grand improvement to the environment.

What can you do?

• Have more meat-free days and meals
• Try dairy-free alternatives. Oat milk is great for barista-style coffee.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Buy organic and sustainable products whenever possible
• Try and buy local produce. This reduces travel time which contributes to destructive carbon emissions.

2.    Buy sustainable products

Consumerism has changed the way we live. Rather than use something until it breaks, we like to replace our products at an alarming rate. Take our clothes, for example. We find ourselves buying new garments which we don’t entirely need, but because we want them. Then, we throw away our old clothes which were completely fine to begin with. The same goes for plastic. We buy plastic bottles, then throw them away. Instead, we should invest in a water bottle that’ll stand the test of time.

What sustainable products are worth it?

• Buy products that are sustainable. For instance, invest in reusable sandwich wraps which are machine washable and BPA free.
• Pack your own lunch each morning. Use reusable lunch boxes for adults, and eat locally sourced food. Buying a lunch from the supermarket each morning means buying excess packaging.
• Look for alternatives to the norm. Environmental toothbrushes, reusable travel mugs, etc.

3.    Do business with environmentally-friendly businesses

Certain corporations care about nothing more than making a profit. Instead of giving them your custom, look for businesses who are trying to make a difference. Nowadays many businesses are being more transparent in their marketing, so if a business is environmentally-friendly in one way or another, they will most likely be advertising it somewhere.

Which businesses should I keep an eye on?

• IKEA has invested in sustainability in its entire business operations. They collect wood from sustainable foresters, and their cotton comes from farms that meet the Better Cotton standards.
• Google has invested $2.5 billion in renewable energy projects. They map forest loss, track illegal fishing in the oceans and use the ‘ugly’ produce in the business’s cafes.
• Patagonia actively encourages customers not to buy goods that they don’t need – including their own – and have set up a program that repairs clothing, rather than repairing it.