With the rise of the human civilization and society came urbanization. The process of urbanization continues today and more and more people will move to the cities as new ones emerge. The United Nations revealed that approximately 50 percent of the global population lives in cities, and this is according to the information from the now distant year of 2007.
According to some speculation, by the year 2030 the number of people living in cities will rise to 60 percent. Unfortunately this process of urbanization is harmful on more than one level, and it has a negative impact on the current ecosystem. So far, 8 percent of vertebrate species have been marked as “endangered”, and the distance between cities and protected areas has been reduced, which further increases pressure on natural resources.
These are some of the negative effects of this rapid urbanization, but there are a lot of ways in which we can preserve our planet by switching to cleaner sources of energy. Unfortunately due to the delicate nature of status quo, people who profit from oil, and the current economy in general, this global switch to a green lifestyle won’t happen any time soon.
Of course, if you want to go green there’s no one really stopping you, and it will both benefit your health and your budget. So, let us examine how you can develop your green home, and why you should do it.
Reasons to go through with this change
A study has revealed that living in a greener area reflects positively on overall health. The study focused on examining how the amount of green space in people’s environment can affect their health. The groups of subjects consisted of people from both rural and urban areas.
People in rural areas, which had a greater percentage of green spaces, had better general health. This means that the development of green spaces should be somewhat prioritized in urban spatial planning policies. Now let us focus on more concrete suggestions on how to change your lifestyle and how it will impact your health, as well as the environment, in a very positive way.
Save energy
All it takes to save energy is to adopt a few new habits.
- You can start by switching all of the light bulbs in your home, with low energy ones. These are far better in every aspect, plus they use less electricity.
- Remember to switch off the appliances you are not using. Your microwave does not need to be plugged in, your laptop does not need to be on when you are not using it, and it does not need to be plugged in if it is fully charged. Additionally, you should cut down on time spent in front of computer screen, since you’ll have difficulties falling asleep.
- Lower your thermostat, the optimal room temperature is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. As long as you want to go above that point, your thermostat will use much more electricity, and it’s not good for you to be in a room that is really warm.
- Line dry laundry – clothes dryers use a lot of electricity and it damages the fabric of your clothing so, if you can dry it naturally it would be far better.
- Install Solar panels because it will pay up on the long run. Sure it is a hefty investment initially, but nowadays solar panels are far more accessible than when they were initially released.
All of these changes will significantly lower the amount of money you spend on monthly basis. With more money in your budget there is less stress, and that directly impacts your health in a positive way. Your green home will also help preserve the environment, and inspire others to do so.
Work on your garden and grow your own food
You do not have to limit yourself to cultivating flowers in your garden – growing your own food is also a great hobby. This way you can be sure that the fruit and vegetables you eat are healthy, since you can monitor what kind of pesticides are present.
When you commit yourself to gardening you actually get a portion of physical exercise, so in a way you are watching both your muscles and your crops grow. Alternatively, if you are not fan of physical work, you can buy a drone and use it to water your garden, it is one hell of a fun way to irrigate.
Install a pergola in your garden
So, what is a pergola, and how can it help improve your overall health? Allow me to explain. Basically, it is an outdoor frame structure made out of wood, designed to support vines. This is very nice home decoration, but it also has a great benefit if you intend to create a green home.
You can cultivate different types of wine and fill your home and backyard with more oxygen, while creating a lovely green wall that soothes the mind. You will also create a nice shade to rest under during the summer and get some of that important vitamin D from the sun’s rays without burning up.
Clearly, you’ll need to focus a portion of your time on maintaining the plants, but you’ll definitely find the activity rewarding and your entire backyard more serene.
Plant-based cleaning products
Cleaning products also have an eco-friendly version, made from plant-based, natural and sustainable materials. These do not leave a chemical mark behind, and are also biodegradable. There are actually plenty of great natural cleaning products to choose from, and they are very budget-friendly as well. You will be surprised at how many common household tasks you ca take care of using completely natural products that don’t harm the environment.
As you can see, there are many benefits to this kind of lifestyle, and you will generally love the switch, since it is not strenuous in any way. I hope the article has inspired you to adopt some of the green habits that were mentioned in it.
