Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Guest Author
Published: March 10, 2021
Written By Ainsley Lawrence- Guest Contributor
The topic of green practices has become more and more prevalent over the last few years. As global warming, water shortages, and carbon emissions have all come to the forefront of our environmental concerns, people all over the world are trying to find ways to improve our relationship with the environment. These efforts aren’t being made just to help us, however; they are an important step in leaving a better planet for future generations.
It’s easy to get comfortable in certain routines as we get older. But those taking the opportunity to go green later in their life can make a huge impact, especially as someone with major spending power in the economy, and the ability to independently choose which changes you want to make. It can seem overwhelming at first, to change habits that you’ve built over a lifetime, but there are many benefits to going green, both for yourself and the environment.
There is a common misconception that past a certain point in your life, it doesn’t matter what you do. But even older generations can have a huge impact, and you can use your own experiences to inform where you focus your new efforts. Some of these changes can also help you build new hobbies, and others aren’t much of a stretch from your current routines.
Some Switches are Easy
One of the barriers to greener living is the idea that you haven’t to change all of your routines to make an impact, but this is far from true. If you’re concerned with your car’s emissions and fuel consumption, for example, you can take some simple steps by staying up to date on vehicle maintenance and finding the shortest or fastest route when you’re driving. This will reduce your idling time, dropping both your fuel consumption and your emissions.
In addition to changing your relationship with high-emissions elements of your life like vehicles, there are some simple changes you can make as a consumer. Many people have recently committed to buying from companies that are committed to sustainable practices as much as possible as a way to invest in the future, while still meeting their consumer needs. One of the major industries that has seen a growing emphasis on healthy, sustainable practices is health and beauty.
The sustainability of beauty products has been a long-time concern for makeup companies and customers alike. Many companies are banning toxic chemicals from their products, using recycled or sustainable packaging, and are using recyclable materials for their packaging. By researching which companies are actively committing to making the types of products that you are already familiar with, and changing your spending habits, you can help move the consumer market in the favor of sustainability.
Making Green Changes Can Improve Your Life
Saving the environment or changing the economy are lofty goals, ones that a single person isn’t going to be responsible for. But some changes in your day to day life can support these fundamental shifts while giving you a chance to build healthier habits and learn new hobbies. With concerns rising about water consumption, food shortages, and fuel costs, take a look at how you source these products, and what you can grow on your own.
Food instability is a major problem in our society, both on a social level and on an environmental one. Consider taking up gardening as a way to reduce investment in plastics and major corporations, while reaping the benefits of fresh grown fruits and vegetables. If you aren’t the gardening type, you can also join a food coop that sources its goods from nearby farms and local growers.
Not only do these types of changes alter your relationship with your food, but it can also help bring an important perspective to green issues. Very often sustainability is seen as the responsibility and purview of younger generations, but the fact that you have lived experience gives you a unique point of view. Bringing your lived experience and voice to the table can educate others and help you find what area you feel strongly about when making green changes.
Your Experience is Important
An advantage that people over 50 have is a life full of experience. They have seen the impact that a lack of green initiatives has had on the planet over their lifetime, and have seen first hand how much the environment and society has changed. This can help to inform and motivate you to find a niche that you are passionate about.
Consider what interests drove you when you were in college or early in your adulthood. Were you committed to recycling and community efforts? Maybe you were interested in how businesses manufacturing or fashioned design. You can take these lifelong interests, look at how they are influencing the environment, and what you can do to help.
Another way to use your experience is to reach out to friends, acquaintances, and colleagues that you have made during your life. Getting others interested in green initiatives is what will help make the biggest impact, and you can create a community together that is focused on the betterment of the environment. This can strengthen friendships or create new ones and can be done locally or online.
It is never too late to make a change, and make an impact on the world. The changes that you make can help leave behind a healthier planet with sustainable companies for the next generation. Changing the companies that you buy from, or planting a garden in your backyard can be both rewarding and support sustainability.
BIO: Ainsley Lawrence is a freelance writer that lives in the Northwest region of the United States. She has a particular interest in covering topics related to good health, balanced life, and better living through technology. When not writing, her free time is spent reading and researching to learn more about her cultural and environmental surroundings. You can follow her on Twitter @AinsleyLawrenc3
The views expressed herein this article, written by a guest contributor, do not necessarily represent those of the Red Hot Mamas organization. The content is for informational purposes and should not substitute the advice of your doctor.
