Quick Tips to Reduce Your Personal Climate Footprint
Let’s be honest: the climate crisis can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth—it’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing something, and doing it consistently. The good news? That “something” can start right where you are, with your next cup of coffee or load of laundry.
Why small changes actually matter
We’re often told that real climate action has to come from the top. While that’s true in many ways, it turns out that lifestyle choices can greatly reduce an individual’s carbon footprint.
Why? Because the choices we make — what we eat, how we get around, what we bring into our homes — ripple out. They affect everything from our local ecosystems to global emissions. And they also affect our health. The same steps that cut emissions can clean our air, reduce toxins in our homes, and improve our well-being.
So no, your choices aren’t too small to matter. They might just matter more than you think.
Climate-friendly solutions that you can stick to
Below, we’ve broken things down into five easy categories. You don’t need to tackle them all at once. Start with the ones that feel most doable, and build from there. Remember: this is a journey, not a checklist.
Energy use at home
Wash laundry in cold water. It’s just as effective for most loads and can cut your energy use dramatically.
Unplug devices. “Vampire” electronics suck energy even when turned off.
Switch to LEDs. Long-lasting and energy efficient, these bulbs are a no-brainer.
Food and waste
Be mindful about food waste. Roughly one-third of all food produced ends up uneaten, contributing to roughly 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions in landfills.¹² Planning meals and storing food properly can make a big difference.
Compost when you can. Even a small countertop bin can help turn food scraps into something that nourishes soil instead of polluting air.
Support local and seasonal foods. When possible, choosing items grown closer to home — especially in season — can reduce the climate impact of transportation and refrigeration.
Transportation
Walk, bike, or carpool when you can. Every short trip swapped for a human-powered one is a win.
Use public transit. Fewer cars on the road = cleaner air for all.
Combine errands. Fewer trips, less gas, more time saved.
Product and packaging choices
Ditch single-use. Reusable bottles, bags, and containers are more convenient than ever.
Skip the excess packaging. Especially plastics that are hard to recycle.
Buy quality, durable products. Opt for items that last and align with your values, such as ceramics, glass, steel, or cast-iron.
Cleaner living = healthier homes
Watch out for ingredients. Avoid parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde donors, and other health disrupting additives or chemicals in your cleaning products.
Ventilate regularly. Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor — air it out or invest in an air purifier.
Add houseplants. Certain plants like snake planets can help filter the air, while adding some vibrancy to your space — just make sure they’re pet-friendly in case you have furry friends.
Making sustainable habits stick
The trick to real change? Don’t try to do everything at once. Pair a new habit with one you already have — unplug devices while you brush your teeth, or start Meatless Monday with your weekly grocery shop.
No one is doing this perfectly. What matters is that you’re trying. The most sustainable action is the one you actually do, again and again.
Choose just one thing from this list. Try it this week. Notice how it feels and see where else in your daily life you can begin incorporating other tips — that’s how change starts. You’ve got this.
Sources:
1 United Nations. (2013). UN report: One-third of world’s food wasted annually, at great economic, environmental cost. UN News. https://news.un.org/en/story/2013/09/448652
2 Goodwin, L., & Lipinski, B. (2024). How much food does the world really waste? What we know — and what we don’t. World Resources Institute. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org/insights/how-much-food-does-the-world-waste
