Be gentle on the earth and your budget.

Earth day is a day of observance and action to change human behavior and create global, national, and local policy changes. How can we do our part for the earth? Not so coincidentally, when we are kinder to the earth, we are kinder to our budgets. Human consumption has a huge impact on the environment and it has a similar impact on our personal finances. The reality is, we aren’t very well tuned into how much we consume and the impact that has on the planet. Greendex, a survey produced by National Geographic and Globescan, measures consumer behavior in 65 areas across 17 countries. One of the findings from this survey was that our perceptions and behavior are not aligned when it comes to consuming sustainably. We might think we’re conscious when our behavior would say otherwise. 

So, how can we view our behavior and make changes both to our wallets and to the planet? Take a look at your consumption in the following categories. Get an objective view of your behavior by reviewing your past actions. Don’t justify them – just observe them. From there, work to change in the direction that gets you to an aligned place. 

Food

“I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use.” – Mother Theresa

According to a 2018 EPA estimate, more food was placed into the landfill than any other material.  The average American wastes 50% more food now than in 1970. In my work with clients, I see that spending on food is a large portion of their monthly spending. If we can cut food waste from our own households, we can cut food spending, and place fewer materials in the landfill. 

Take action: This weekend, go through your refrigerator and pantry. Take inventory of what you have and meal plan from what’s already there. Note items that you commonly throw away and either stop buying them, or devise a plan to use them before they perish. Example: Cilantro and parsley almost always wilt away in the fridge. Plan: whip up some pesto or falafel from those sad-looking herbs in your fridge.

Cars

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”  – Gaylord Nelson

Vehicles are America’s biggest air quality compromisers, producing about one-third of all U.S. air pollution. Vehicle pollutants harm our health and emit harmful particulates into our environment. Most of a car’s environmental impact comes from fuel consumption and emissions. Fuel consumption has a high environmental impact in its extraction process as well as in its shipping. 

Take action: Be mindful of how much you drive and how much fuel your car uses. Is there an alternative way to get around? Can you ride a bike or walk? Is your vehicle fuel efficient? Not only will you save money on fuel, you will also work to do your part to use less fuel and create less emissions. You also won’t fall victim to fluctuating gas prices. 

Clothing

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

The U.S. throws away around 11 million tons of textile waste every year, which amounts to about 2,150 pieces of clothing each second. The fashion industry accounts for up to 10% of global carbon dioxide output. For context, this is more than international flights and shipping combined. Consumers are using more clothes than ever as they change styles frequently. Very little used clothing gets recycled – nearly 90% of fiber used for clothing is either incinerated or thrown away. 

Take action: Refrain from wearing fast-fashion. Purchase quality pieces that are timeless and last for many years. Maintain a wardrobe that does not rely on fleeting styles. When clothing has reached the end of its life in your closet, donate it. Check out your local thrift stores and goodwill for new (to you) items. Set a clear and well defined budget so that you don’t feel inclined to give into seasonal trends.  

Take-out meals

“We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.” – Barbara Ward

Not only are take-out meals expensive, the materials used for take-out storage containers are toxic for bothyou and the environment. Most take-out containers have per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS exposure has been linked to multiple problems including immune system suppression, lower birth weights, and increased risk for some cancers. When these take-out containers are thrown away and end up in the landfill, they can contaminate water and soil. 

Take action: Plan your meals ahead of time. Make easy meals for those days that you know you won’t feel like cooking. If you make a big meal, freeze some of it to have another time. Shop your local farmer’s market to eat seasonally, locally, and for meal inspiration. Be mindful of the packaging of the food you buy. 

Water

“The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for future generations.” – John Paul II

Do you have a beautiful grass lawn? Every year, U.S. lawns consume nearly 3 trillion gallons of water, 200 million gallons of gas, and 70 million pounds of pesticides. Grass provides almost no habitat for pollinators and other animals and the maintenance of lawns can do substantial harm to the environment. Keeping up with that lawn also can put a big dent in your budget. In the summer months, watering can get very costly, as well as supplies (or hiring) for maintenance.

Take action: Consider converting your grass into a more sustainable alternative. Localities often offer some incentives for converting grass by paying the homeowner to choose a more sustainable option. Not only will you help the environment, you will reduce your water and maintenance bills.

Are there other areas where you can assess and take aligned action? 

Further reading:

https://www.epa.gov/land-research/farm-kitchen-environmental-impacts-us-food-waste

https://css.umich.edu/factsheets/us-environmental-footprint-factsheet

https://news.asu.edu/content/greendex-survey-shows-consumer-behavior-doesnt-match-perception

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/american-consumption-habits/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/environmental-impact

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/more-sustainable-and-beautiful-alternatives-grass-lawn

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-fashion-industry-environmental-impact/