Summertime is in full swing meaning lots of sun, travel, and summer activities are underway. It’s also a time of excess energy, water, and single-use product consumption. For example, the WWF has found that plastic waste increases by 40% in the summer!
So, with more and more research solidifying how dire the climate crisis is, summer is no excuse to ignore the situation. However, I still believe that small changes lead to impactful and long-term change. With that in mind, let’s discuss three summer behaviors that you should switch out for a sustainable summer.
Swap AC for fans.
When the weather turns scorching, many get inclined to ramp up the AC to compensate. But this actually can lead to our detriment. Research suggests continuous exposure to monotonous temperatures can destroy our bodies’ ability to self-regulate when we do have to deal with temperature changes. Not only that, but AC units release tons of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are impactful greenhouse gases.
Opting for fans to stay cool, on the other hand, find stat. Because of that, I recommend keeping your AC – if you have one – at an energy efficient temperature and use a fan to help circulate air. Other natural ventilation techniques, like keeping blinds drawn to block the sun, are also helpful and will keep you even cooler without excessive energy use and crazy electric bills.
Swap out sunscreens that aren't reef-safe.
This feels like old news, but I can’t stress it enough, the products we use can impact us, our waterways, and ecosystem health. Even if something is nontoxic for us, it could still be toxic to the environment. But in summer when it’s important for our health to slather on the sunscreen, we also need to be mindful of the overarching effects that may have on our environment.
That’s why picking sunscreens with reef-safe ingredients or opting for sun-safe habits over potentially harmful options is so important. When looking for better sunscreen options, look for reef-safe active ingredients like non-nano zinc and titanium oxide. Most importantly though, stay away from benzophenones, octocrylene, or octinoxate.
Swap disposables for reusables.
Summer activities in the US typically come with a lot of single-use and disposable items. To green up your next BBQ or summer picnic, opt for reusables. Not only will that help us with our crazy waste problems but it’ll save you money too! To go an extra step, taking the time to properly separate waste and trash makes things even better and will no doubt ensure a sustainable summer.
Instead of paper plates, use washable plates. Instead of themed decorations opt for things you can reuse for any occasion. Instead of single-serve drinks make your own at home or opt for options that can be recycled easily like glass and aluminum. If you have to use disposables then opt for biodegradable options, ideally home compostable items.
The time for intentional action is now, switch up your habits for a sustainable summer!
Wastefulness is not it and excessive consumption shouldn’t be the norm – even in the summer. Although changing habits and examining our lifestyles can be uncomfortable it’s truly needed. So, let’s work together and live mindfully! The choices we make matter, but we don’t need to be perfect. If we bring purpose to our actions we’ll be able to create an equitable world instead of self-destructing with it.