Post written by Ali Jacobs

According to NASA, the temperature of oceans around the world has risen by .4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969. That may not seem like a significant rise, at first. However, this is the fastest rate at which the ocean has warmed in recorded history, and it seems as though human industrialism is that warmth’s source.

With more than just oceanic ecosystems at risk of damage due to climate change, you may ask yourself: what can you, as just one person, do? Not only that, but how can you make a significant change when you’ve still got groceries to pick up every week? Luckily for you, there are a number of economically-friendly steps you can take in your day-to-day life that’ll lessen your impact on the environment.

Image Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/7xcJsTrkvRc

Keep Your Food Local

No matter where you live, you’ve likely heard about a burgeoning farmer’s market in your area as well as the varying benefits of eating locally grown food. However, spending your Saturday morning buying groceries from local farmers will do more than bring fresh ingredients to your kitchen table. Buying food from a farmers’ markets supports your local economy. By spending your money on the neighborhood bee keeper, for example, you’ll both make that honey cheaper, in the long run, and ensure that your neighbor stays in business. You’ll also only buy what you need, keeping your wallet a little thicker.

Grow Your Own Meals

For an even more budget-friendly course of action, you can think about taking up gardening. Whether you live in an urban apartment or on a rural plot, you have options available to you. Hydroponics even makes it possible for you to grow your own food without planting seeds into the ground! There are a number of benefits to keeping a garden besides their economic value, one of which includes the lessening of your personal carbon footprint. Having fresh produce on hand will definitely go far towards lowering your grocery bill too!

Change Out Your Bug Spray

You may also want to change out the kind of bug spray you use if you’re interested in going green. Any bug repellent that contains DEET can damage the ecosystem around you. Look into bug sprays that are less aggressive. You’ll do more than spend less money scaring off bugs. The birds and friendly insects around your home will thank you.

Ditch Your Plastic

Finally, you can also try to lessen the amount of plastic you use on a daily basis. Plastic bottles are convenient, for sure, but they’re also hard to get rid of. Plastic bags and bottles take about 1,000 years to degrade. Swap these out for reusable bags or filtered water from home. Not only will this lessen the amount of plastic in your local landfill, but it will save you money in the long run. It’s better for your budget to have a water filter installed in your home than it is to restock on plastic water bottles every week.

As you can see, you can do your part to keep the environment around you greener even if you’re on a budget. When climate change feels overwhelming, remember, that if everyone makes small changes like ditching plastic or changing out their bug spray, the whole planet will benefit.

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