The
coronavirus pandemic has put our social lives on pause and forced us to change
our habits drastically - and the situation may stay the same for weeks, if not
months.
Naturally,
many of us use this time worrying about their health and professional affairs –
which can elevate the levels of stress and anxiety. On the bright side, the
environment seems to benefit from this situation, and experts show that the
coronavirus has cut emissions more efficiently than years of climate
negotiations. There has been a significant drop in air pollution and CO2 levels.
In
this article, the Gold Circuit E-Cycling team is offering a few suggestions of
activities that you can do during this time that can help you focus your energy
on improving your sustainable lifestyle skills while staying vigilant and safe.
Below
are a few ways to take action for the planet while self-isolation, and we hope
they’ll stick after the global health crisis recedes.
Try to go green with your diet &
compost
Time
is our best friend during these strange times – and it gives us plenty of
opportunities to get creative in the kitchen. If your list of New Year
resolutions included eating more veggies, fruits, and plants, now it’s the
perfect time to try some plant-based recipes and reflect upon your food waste. For
the latter, the most accessible solution is provided by composting.
When
the food in your trash goes to a landfill, it emits methane, a greenhouse gas
that amplifies climate change. Compost does a lot more than cutting down
emissions since it’s used as garden fertilizer and reduces the need for
chemical options. According to the EPA, compost can capture and eliminate 99.6%
of volatile organic compounds from the air. Learn more about composting here
and have a look at some super-easy plant-based recipes here.
Volunteer for Earth Day
This
year, Earth
Day is going online for the sake of public health, and you can apply to
become a volunteer here,
without leaving the safety of your home. It has never been easier to do your
part in the collective efforts against climate change.
Undertake an upcycling or DYI project
You
already know that our mantra is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and being stuck at
home gives you plenty of time to start your own project and boost that
creativity! There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram
that teach you how to turn an old t-shirt into a tote bag, knit your own
sweaters or even repurpose old plastic shampoo bottles and turn them into
decorations. The only limit is your imagination…and the patience that goes into
online research.
