Let’s face it; the planet is in a critical state. The temperatures are rising, the bees are dying, and it all just feels too much. Nowadays, you can even suffer from ‘eco-anxiety’, a diagnosable form of anxiety directly related to the impending doom of the planet. We need to be more sustainable!

But what are we going to do? How can we, on an individual level, help save the world? The following are five things you can do within your home to lend a hand in fixing the climate.

1. Power your home with renewable energy

Now this one seems pretty straightforward and obvious. However, since 2016 there has only been an 18% rise in the integration of small-scale solar generation while 63% of our electricity generation is still fueled by coal. This statistic is crazy considering our energy consumption has increased by 2.3%!

You can do your part by simply installing solar panels to power your home. While the initial outlay often scares people off, within 5 years the panels will have paid for themselves. Considering a unit usually lasts up to 25 years, it’s safe to say you’ll be saving some serious money long-term. You live in a state that gets 271 days of sun a year so what are you waiting for?!

(Credit: Ulleo on Pixabay) Solar panels are money savers in the long-term.

2. Create a compost bin

Could your rotting veggie peels help save the planet? The answer is a big, steaming yes, therefore, compost piles are a great idea for at-home eco-warriors. They have so many benefits such as cutting down on the number of plastic bin liners you use, it creates a rich fertilizer for your garden (or for your friend’s gardens if you want to get entrepreneurial and sell it), and it reduces toxins and pollution in the soil such as fuel and pesticides.

How do you create one? That’s easy. The Brisbane City Council has a step-by-step guide available to all compost newbies right here.

(Credit: Antranias on Pixabay) A compost bin will create amazingly rich soil for your garden.

3. Utilise natural cleaning products

 A lot of people don’t think about the damage their spray and wipe is doing to the environment. They’re just focused on getting the Bolognese sauce off the bench. However, the chemicals in a lot of household cleaning products are really harmful, especially when they are later washed away into the water supply.

There are three ingredients that can replace basically every product in your cleaning cupboard. We’ve all been conditioned to believe we need a very specific, bleach-enhanced, lemon-scented magical spray for sink mould alone, therefore, the idea of just three ingredients doing everything may surprise some.

All you need is baking soda, vinegar, and citrus fruits. That’s it. If you’re thinking ‘that can’t possibly be right, how do I do all of my cleaning with just those?’, www.onegreenplanet.org has your answers. Head here to get the recipes for their all-natural cleaning supplies.

(Credit: Rawpixel on Unsplash) Home-made cleaning products will save you so much money!

4. Cut down on plastic

An interviewer once asked a 110-year-old woman which invention of the last century she believed to be the most revolutionary. She said plastic. She’s not wrong. Plastic has completely changed our planet. Long after our species is gone, our plastic will remain; but is that a good thing?

Science points to no.

So how do you cut down on your plastic consumption? Here are five easy solutions you can incorporate today.

  • Stop using plastic straws. Instead, use plexiglass or metal.
  • Switch from plastic shrink-wrap to beeswax wraps. They’re just as efficient and they’re reusable!
  • Don’t just use your reusable bags for 90% of your groceries. Stop bagging fruit and veggies in plastic and make it 100% of your shop.
  • Switch from a plastic toothbrush to a bamboo one.
  • Buy a keep-cup for your takeaway coffee. Takeaway coffee cups, for the most part, are non-recyclable, so instead of creating more waste, bring your own! Or better yet, sit down for five minutes and enjoy your coffee at the café.

(Credit: Alexas_Fotos on Pixabay) Some cafes give a small discount to customers who bring their own cups!

5. Down-size your home!

Did you know New York City has the lowest per-capita energy use in the entire or North America? It may come as a surprise that despite its massive population, New York is actually a very sustainable city, as are Hong Kong and Singapore. In fact, these cities’ dense populations are the reason they are able to be so sustainable.

The more people there are in an area, the more likely there are to be high-rise apartments. These apartments, especially the newer ones, are designed to be as efficient and sustainable as possible.  This is even evident in the windows, which are strategically positioned to allow for warm sunlight in winter and cross breezes in summer.

People living in inner-city areas are more likely to use sustainable transport methods such as cycling, walking, and public transport. They’re also less likely to create congestion, as they tend to work and socialise within their city. Finally, compared to inner-city apartments, suburban homes use 1.7 times more energy.

Deciding to move can be daunting! However, if you’re ready to make that move to inner-city life, Hutton & Hutton Real Estate can help. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, the friendly team at H&H can help you make your transition to more eco-friendly living. With unparalleled knowledge of Brisbane’s inner city living, our New Farm or Hawthorne offices can find you the place of your dreams. Give us a call today.

(Credit: Hutton & Hutton) Hutton & Hutton Real Estate can help you transition to inner-city, sustainable living today!