Five surprisingly easy ways to enjoy your summer while also making it more sustainable
Summertime life might feel wasteful, let us face it. The abundance of plastic cups at every backyard BBQ and exorbitant electricity bills make it easy to forget that our earth is also perspiring. However, sustainable summertime practices do not have to equate to poverty or idealized zero-waste lifestyles. They can be little, ingenious changes that save money, encourage innovation, and have the potential to improve your summer in all the important ways.
Summer is a great time to reconsider how you relate to energy, community, and consumerism, says Dr. Wynne Armand, a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate director of the Center for the Environment and Health.
This season, try these five clever, heartfelt ways to live better and lighter.
The Real 5 Rs should come first. No, recycling is not the first step.
Recycling is the last option in the sustainability playbook, but we have all been taught it.
This entails cutting back on your consumption, thinking creatively, and refusing items you do not really need (free conference tote bags, we see you). Could you borrow rather than purchase? Instead of shopping, why not swap? Repair, modify, or give anything a second chance at life?
Additionally, give yourself a break. Sustainability is not a game of "all or nothing." Everybody has blind spots and "nope, not doing that" moments. Begin where you are. Try your best. And continue.
2. Cool Your Area Without Using Up Too Much Power
It is important to stay cool throughout the summer, but it does not always mean turning up the air conditioner like you are in a meat locker.
Here's how to maintain your coolness while being environmentally conscious:
Use shade strategically by leaving windows open at night and drawing the curtains closed during the day.
(Yes, parasols ought to return. They are both stylish and useful.)
Focus on no-cook dishes like hummus wraps, fruit platters, and chilled noodle bowls. It lowers your energy costs and keeps your house cooler.
Raise the thermostat: Literally. Your air conditioner is working overtime if you are reaching for a blanket in July. Save some money by determining the most comfortable temperature.
Locate unoccupied cool zones: No AC? Community assets include cooling centers, museums, shopping malls, and public libraries. Even a shaded stoop, parks, and splash pads can have an impact.
3. Save Power, Save Pennies, Save the Grid
Consider conserving energy as a civic obligation as well as a way to save money, particularly during hot weather when grids are overloaded and fossil fuels are frequently used to make up the difference.
Go electric: Invest in an electric grill or lawnmower if you need one.
Turn off: Unplug devices when not in use. Phantom power—not the wonderful, spectral kind—is a genuine drain.
Time your laundry, EV charging, and dishwashing. Perform them at night. You could even be able to receive off-peak prices and avoid the stress of peak hours. Use the timers that come with some appliances.
Get "Shave the Peak" notifications: When the grid is under the most stress, these programs alert you. There is a noticeable, quantifiable difference when power-hungry appliances are stopped during these windows.
4. Stay Hydrated (Without Purchasing Bottled Water)
Yes, protecting the environment is vital, but not at the expense of your well-being. Hydration and safety must be your top priorities during heat waves because they can be quite harsh.
Consume water: Eat citrus fruits, leafy greens, melons, and cucumbers. They do not come in plastic packaging and hydrate and nourish.
Utilize a reusable bottle and keep it close at hand and filled. Refill stations are very common in public areas, so you can avoid the disposable bottle trap.
Recognize the symptoms of heat stress: Heat rash, which consists of little red pimples, may indicate that your body is having difficulty staying cool. Action must be taken quickly to prevent more serious heat-related illnesses, particularly in children, the elderly, and people with long-term medical issues.
5. Create Communities and Sharing Circles Along the Way
Among the best-kept secrets of eco-friendly living? Sharing. Not in a kumbaya manner, but rather in a clever, inventive, and community-driven manner. Trading items you do not use or establishing routines that make sustainability seem more like connection than sacrifice might be easy ways to achieve sustainability.
Supper clubs, clothing exchanges, and tool libraries: Give your neighbors a part of your garden tools. Exchange summer attire with companions. Create a supper club with fresh produce from the farmers market or CSA excess.
Find out what your library lends: These days, a lot of them sell anything from induction burners to sewing machines to board games. It is comparable to finding a miraculous free store.
Organize "hotspot" gatherings: Together, beat the heat. For game parties or patio movie nights, switch around the residences. In addition to saving money on cooling costs, you will feel less isolated.
The Bottom Line
Summertime sustainability is not about being flawless. It involves making deliberate decisions that lessen harm, conserve funds, and, surprisingly, add interest to life. Making a difference does not require solar panels or a composting toilet. All you need is some curiosity, a few positive behaviors, and perhaps some umbrellas.
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