I recently shared a list of ten sustainable living habits I practiced in a week, and the response was so encouraging that I decided to do a take two!
Here’s the thing – my goal is simple but big: I want everyone (yes, literally everyone) to start adopting new habits that help reduce your carbon footprint. If we all moved through our daily routines with environmental impact in mind, we’d naturally start making more sustainable choices.
Have you ever caught yourself grabbing single-use plastic utensils with your takeout, watched your friends and family dump their food waste into the trash instead of composting it, or even grabbed plastic water bottles for your kids while out on an adventure?
Even small actions like these add up – and when we choose the environmentally friendly solution, we make a positive difference. Now imagine the collective impact if more of us made those same simple swaps.
What Is a Carbon Footprint?
Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by your daily activities – from what you eat to how you travel and power your home.
Here’s a quick breakdown to keep us all on the same page:
- Greenhouse gases are the heat-trapping gases in Earth’s atmosphere – the main ones are carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚), methane (CHâ‚„), and nitrous oxide (Nâ‚‚O). These together are referred to as carbon emissions.
- Methane comes mostly from landfills and farming.
- Nitrous oxide is produced mainly by agricultural activities.
- Carbon dioxide is the big one – it comes from electricity and heat production, transportation, construction, deforestation, and more.
Scientists have developed formulas to estimate how much greenhouse gas each person, household, or business, produces based on energy use, travel, and lifestyle choices.
In the United States, the average person produces about 15 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year – that is each person’s carbon footprint. And it’s a big number – but the good news is, we have the power to lower it.
Why Small Sustainable Habits Matter
My mission is to help lower that number – for myself, my family, and as many people as possible. I know that’s a big goal, but big goals and bold action are exactly what the world needs right now. 🌎
And here’s the best part: lowering your carbon footprint doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul. You can make a real impact with simple, thoughtful changes like:
- Reducing food waste
- Lowering your energy bill by turning off lights and unplugging devices
- Avoiding fast fashion and choosing sustainable clothing
- Using public transportation or carpooling when possible
- Buying locally to support nearby farms and reduce shipping emissions
- Eliminating plastic waste and switching to reusables
- Avoiding plastic bags and all other single use plastic
Each small step you take creates ripple effects – and when we all move in the same direction, the impact becomes huge. Living a more sustainable lifestyle doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It’s really about making small, meaningful swaps that fit into your everyday life.
10 Eco-Friendly Habits I Practiced This Week
Here are ten eco-friendly habits I practiced this week to lower my carbon footprint, make a positive environmental impact, and stay connected to the planet.
1. Practiced a Vegan Thanksgiving Preview
Okay, it’s not Thanksgiving yet – but I couldn’t resist a test run! I made a Vegan Wellington filled with carrots, celery, and lentils, and it was so delicious. I’m planning to bring it to our family celebration, and I’ll share the recipe soon so you can try it too.
Preparing a plant-based dish is one of the easiest ways to make your holiday table a little more sustainable. Eating more plants (even one day a week) reduces your food-related emissions and supports a healthier planet. 🥕🌽
2. Made My Own Plant-Based Milk
I used my Almond Cow milk maker, and honestly – life-changing! I now make two kinds of milk each week: oat milk for my husband and a cashew-coconut blend for me.
By skipping dairy and avoiding single-use milk cartons, I get a double sustainability win – less packaging waste and lower emissions from animal agriculture. 🥛✨
3. Scheduled Time in Nature
This might sound simple, but it’s so powerful. I made a point to spend intentional time outdoors – walking through the woods, breathing in the forest air, and reconnecting with the natural world.
When you slow down and really notice nature, it strengthens your connection and reinforces the why behind your sustainable lifestyle choices. Nature time reminds us that the planet isn’t just a cause – it’s home. And being deep in the woods away from air pollution lets me feel like I can cleanse my lungs. 🌳💚
4. Attended a CT Green Bank Seminar
Learning is part of sustainable living too! This week, I joined an online seminar hosted by CT Green Bank about battery backup storage and renewable energy. I have ground mounted solar panels on my property to service my house, but I do not know that much about energy production when the sun isn’t shining.
Staying informed helps me make smarter eco choices and feel more confident about supporting the transition to clean energy. Knowledge empowers us to take meaningful action – whether that’s choosing solar, investing in energy efficiency, or just understanding how systems work. ⚡🌞
5. Drove “Dora” – My All-Electric Mini Cooper
Yes, she has a name! Meet Dora, my all-electric Mini Cooper. She gets about 114 miles per charge, which is perfect for my local errands. Even better – I charge her at home using solar power!
Driving electric has been one of the most fun and rewarding steps in my sustainable living journey. Every mile feels like a tiny climate victory. I would love to utilize public transit – which we did a lot of when we lived in Denmark – but here in the USA it seems a bit more challenging to use public transportation – at least in the suburbs where I live.
6. Chose FSC – Certified Paper
This week I made sure the paper I bought was FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council). That means it comes from responsibly managed forests that protect biodiversity and support local communities.
You can look for the FSC logo on everything from notebooks to tissues to toilet paper — small choices that make a big difference for forests worldwide. It is so important to protect our natural resources! 🌲📄
7. Shopped Package-Free at a Local Refillery
I stopped by Birch & Twine, a beautiful new refillery, while delivering A Kid’s Guide to Climate Activism books – and while I was there, picked up shredded coconut and coconut sugar without packaging!
Bulk shopping is one of my favorite zero-waste habits. It’s fun, practical, and helps eliminate unnecessary plastic waste from my kitchen. Every refill is one less piece of plastic in our oceans. 🌾♻️
8. Used My Reusable Grocery Bag
It’s a small but mighty habit – and one that makes me smile every time I skip the plastic or paper bag. Keeping reusable totes in my car and by the door helps me remember them for every shopping trip.
Reusable bags are one of the simplest eco-friendly swaps anyone can make – proof that living sustainably can start with something as easy as remembering your bag. And honestly, when I do forget (or make an unplanned shopping stop), I just skip the bag altogether and load the car directly with my items. It’s a little less convenient – and sometimes a bit funny – but it makes me happy because it’s the right thing to do. 🛍️
9. Turned Down the Thermostat
I’ve been keeping the thermostat low and cozying up in socks, slippers, and a sweater instead.
Until I can upgrade my heating system, conserving energy this way feels like an easy, mindful step toward a lower energy bill and a smaller carbon footprint. It’s also a great reminder that comfort doesn’t always have to come from consumption. ❄️🧦
10. Swapped Disposable Paper Towels for Reusables
This morning, I used reusable paper towels to rinse my daughter’s fruit. I keep a small stack right next to the old paper towel holder, and after use, they go straight into the wash.
It’s one of the simplest zero-waste swaps I’ve made – and it saves money too! Little changes like this create lasting impact when practiced consistently. 🍓💧
Keep Going: Small Changes, Big Difference
Sustainable living isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. Every eco-friendly habit you build adds up to a more mindful, resilient lifestyle and a healthier planet.
Stay tuned for my next list of ten sustainable things I do – and I hope this inspires you to look around your own home and see where small shifts can make a big difference.
Together, we can turn eco-friendly habits into everyday living. 🌿✨
