I am doing my part in reducing my demand on the environment with some simple and easy steps. So many things we do these days rely on water. Water serves us every day from cleaning, to production of oils for plastics, to the essential building block of survival. By really starting to understand what it takes to produce certain things, we can all do our part to cut back on the things we use. This means a lot to our family as we are trying to live a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle. 
Our world is changing and with change comes realizing our impact and how we can do better to continue as modern humans without squeezing every last resource from earth. While many people may think water is water, and there is plenty, what makes water differ mainly for human use is fresh and salt. For cattle, cement makers, oil production, fresh water is a must for human life.
Renewable living is a relative easy way to start. But making simple changes, ones that as a whole will create real change, we can all make a difference. We try to spend a lot of time exploring and teaching our girls about the earth. I think it teaches them to appreciate it and realize that if we don’t take care of it we could destroy it. It’s about teaching our children to give back more than they take, eat healthy and live a happy life. 
Here is a list of some choices I have taken on for my family’s sustainable lifestyle:
- We consume a lot of coffee at home and on the road. We have cut back on paper coffee cups and saved money by brewing our own and having fun coffee cups and travel mugs.
- We grocery shop for renewable packaging for shelf foods. Find paper cartons like Tetra Pak for so many food items these days. They also provide a long shelf life which is great for earthquake prone California.
- Living in hot southern California, we reduce home water use with shorter showers, low water use appliances, and turning off faucets when not in use (even in between brushing teeth).
- We do not have a bus system for school so we like to walk. Great for the air, water, and us! We also have an electric vehicle for all our around town shopping and errands. NO EMISSIONS!
Be sure to take the – Tetra Pak Happiness Quiz
It is important to really consider our impact on the environment. From at home, to work, school, and everywhere, we have a great impact everywhere. From road trips where people leave their garbage, to wasteful products that fill landfills, we can do many things to all help ourselves and our planet. I love that most places, states, cities; all recycle.
It is a smart idea to take things that have been used and will be discarded, and reuse them. Some items are not recyclable and just make their way to a landfill. Many of those same products take many gallons like hundreds to produce.
Using items like Tetra Pak carton packaging, I help to increase and protect our planet’s limited supply of natural resources. With Tetra Pak cartons made mostly from paper, it’s a better way to create containers with resources we have, recyclable paper. We have also cut back on water and electricity use at home by turning off faucets and lights when not being used. That means during brushing, walking down a hall at night, or any light on during the day.
It’s just taking the steps every day in small ways to do our part to make this world a better place. In celebration of International Happiness Day on March 20, lets live happier while also protecting our planet for us and our future generations.
We’d love to know what your family is doing to live a more sustainable lifestyle!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
We try to use as many natural products as we can to leave a better footprint in the world period. Sometimes it is hard! I need to work better at it.
We eat clean, recycle and use natural products whenever possible.
I totally love the idea of this, sustainable lifestyles is what I learn about my father. And I will keep it to my kids.
These are a great way to make an impact on the environment. Inspired to see the difference your family is making.
Those are some great ways to live a sustainable lifestyle! Sounds like your family is on a great track!
I like the idea of making simple changes. It is important to consider this more and more.
My family tries to make certain adjustments to our everyday life. We enjoy walking and taking the bus when possible. We also use reusable grocery bags.
It is so important for family’s to learn about sustainable living. We do a lot to reduce our waste and recycle everything we can.
This is a very interesting post.
I like your pictures also.
All of the changes you’re making sound wonderful. We do our best to recycle as much as possible, conserve water and bring our own reusable bags to the grocery store.
I like buying that kind of packaging myself. It drives me batty when there is excessive paper and packaging on things.
These are all great ways to make a smaller impact on the environment. I always bring my own reusable bags when I go grocery shopping.
I”m all for protect our planet’s limited supply of natural resources and we need to get to a point where EVERYONE is on board! Great post.
I grew up in the south, so we’ve been doing the sustainable living thing for a while. EVERYONE has a garden.