Looking to have a more eco-friendly summer? Here are some ways you can go green
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Summer is here, and while it typically means fun in the sun, the heat is becoming unbearable in many areas. Take Texas, for example, where cities such as Del Rio and Laredo are seeing sweltering, record-high temperatures. In other areas, as people flock to the beaches, they may be met with the putrid smell of dead fish and rotting seaweed because of the increasing heat.
The culprit in both cases is climate change, which can only make such problems worsen if it continues on its current trajectory. While there's not a lot we can do as consumers to reverse climate change there are some things we can do, and every little thing helps. While summer, like winter, is a season of extreme temperatures that makes us more reliant on emissions, there are still ways to go green. Here are some ways you can have a more eco-conscious summer this year.
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Carry a reusable water bottle
This summer looks like it’ll be a hot one, but before you spring for a case of plastic water bottles, consider the environmental impact. Like all plastics, these bottles take a very long time to degrade and when they do, they . Not to mention, it takes several times the amount of water inside a single bottle to manufacture it. To reduce the use of plastic water bottles, we recommend the use of reusable ones instead. Our favorite reusable water bottle is the Brita BB11 filtering water bottle, as it keeps water cool for 24 hours, opens with one hand and filters out odors and tastes.
Opt for a fan instead of air conditioning
If you're looking to beat the summer heat, we recommend using a fan instead of turning on the air conditioner. Air conditioners use a lot of energy compared to fans. So much so, in fact, that you could leave a fan running for 24 hours and use less energy than an air conditioner would use in 15 minutes. Not only will using a fan reduce the amount of fossil fuels you'll be burning, but also the amount of money you'll be spending. The best fan you can buy is the Vornado 660. It features impressive air speed and maintains a breeze over distances. Note that, while a fan uses less energy, during temperatures above 94º F, you should use an air conditioner, as fans cannot prevent heat-related illnesses at these temperatures.
Shop secondhand clothes
Summer is the season where you don't have to worry about the cold limiting your wardrobe. Unfortunately, many of the hottest shopping platforms contribute to wasteful manufacturing by the way of fast fashion (which means buying and wearing clothes that are cheaply made and designed to be discarded). If you're looking for a more sustainable way to shop for clothing, we recommend shopping secondhand at thrift shops and resale stores.
Walk or bike instead of driving a car
With the sun shining bright, it's a good time to take a walk instead of driving a car, which spews carbon dioxide into the air. The only thing greener than walking is walking while wearing shoes made from recycled and sustainable materials. Allbirds' shoes are made via carbon-neutral manufacturing. We've tried and loved their Treerunners because they're comfortable, breathable, sturdy and supportive. Plus, like all Allbirds shoes, they're machine washable.
We understand if you don't want to walk long distances in this heat. To get to places faster while still going green, we recommend riding a bike. Schwinn's mountain bike is one of the highest-rated bikes on Amazon thanks to its easy assembly and helpful customer support from the brand.
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Buy ocean-friendly sunscreen
If you're planning on hitting the beach this summer, you should carefully consider what type of sunscreen you use. Many kinds of sunscreen harm coral reefs due to the chemicals they contain. To avoid this, we recommend using mineral sunscreen such as our favorite, Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50 Sunscreen, which smells great and doesn't leave a white cast on your skin when you use it.
Wear swimsuits made of recycled materials
While you're at the beach, you can make sure your stylish swimsuit is green, too. Summersalt's swimwear is made from recycled materials, including old fishing nets which are pulled from the ocean. If that wasn't reason enough to buy, you should know that the brand painstakingly analyzes measurement data to create swimsuits that fit various body types. We tried the brand and quickly fell in love.
Use a reusable shopping bag
Another prominent member of the plastic waste rogues gallery is the plastic bag. Beyond getting caught in trees, this plastic menace bears an uncanny resemblance to jellyfish, causing unsuspecting sea turtles to choke as they mistake them for food. To protect these beautiful creatures, use a reusable shopping bag. This shopping bag on Amazon is particularly helpful in the summer, as its insulation means your frozen and refrigerated goods won't thaw in a hot car.
Install a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat can save you money and help the environment by only turning on the air conditioner when you need it, such as when you're home or even in a specific room. The best smart thermostat we've tested is the Nest Learning Thermostat. This intuitive device supports temperature sensors as well as both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Use a rain barrel
By using a rain barrel, you'll be able to use the water that falls from the sky instead of using water from your home. As long as you use it with caution, rainwater can be used for a variety of tasks around your home. If you'd like to get started using rainwater, we recommend the RTS Home Accents Polyethylene 50 Gallon Flat Back Eco Rain Barrel, which has over 1,600 five-star reviews. Reviewers cite the barrel's sturdiness and price as reasons why they love it.
Get a compost bin
If you're looking to repurpose some of your organic waste instead of having a garbage truck take it to a landfill, you can compost it for later use around your garden or yard. The best compost bin we've tested is the 65-gallon Redmon Compost Bin. This large compost bin is both easy to fill and easy to empty.
Protect using eco-friendly bug spray
While proper use of DEET, the most common form of bug repellant, has been proven to have negligible effects on humans, its environmental impact is less clear. While it's generally believed that DEET poses no serious risk to flora or fauna when used as intended, if you'd rather be on the safe side, you can opt for bug spray made of more natural ingredients. For this, we recommend oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) a synthesized form of eucalyptus oil that is effective at keeping bugs at bay.
Try grilling meat substitutes
It’s grilling season. But, unfortunately, those delicious burgers come with a price, as it's estimated that agriculture, including raising livestock, makes up 11% of carbon emissions. Thanks to meat substitutes from brands such as Beyond Meat and Impossible, you'll be able to get the same great taste you love in your meat while supporting a more sustainable way of consuming. One bite and you'll be saying "I can't believe it's not meat."
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