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Ten tips for living a greener, more sustainable life

We are all realising that our way of life, the one our parents, who were born and raised especially after the Second World War, taught us, is no longer sustainable. There are too many of us in this world now, and nature can no longer provide us with everything we need.

Capitalism, or consumerism for short, is forcing us to submit to environmentally worn-out logics that would not be sustainable even in the long run, but are even less so in the short time we have left before everything falls apart. Our way of life must change radically if we are to allow the survival of mankind. For example, the introduction of the law in Europe allowing the sale of insect meal aims at exactly that, at sustainability.

Therefore, it is necessary for all of us, while there is still time, to change certain behaviours to help the world. Here, then, are some tips for leading a greener and more sustainable life.

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10 tips for living a greener, more sustainable life
We are all realising that our way of life, the one our parents, who were born and raised especially after the Second World War, taught us, is no longer sustainable. There are too many of us in this world now, and nature can no longer provide us with everything we need. Capitalism, or consumerism for short, is forcing us to submit to environmentally worn-out logics that would not be sustainable even in the long run, but are even less so in the short time we have left before everything falls apart. Our way of life must change radically if we are to allow the survival of mankind. For example, the introduction of the law in Europe allowing the sale of insect meal aims at exactly that, at sustainability. Therefore, it is necessary for all of us, while there is still time, to change certain behaviours to help the world. Here, then, are some tips for leading a greener and more sustainable life.
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Consume less clothes
Our society, thanks to advertising, is dominated by consumerism, i.e. the idea that, by generating dissatisfaction with what you have, drives you to buy new objects because, these, 'will make you whole'. The general rule instead is to consume what is necessary. By reducing the number of new products you buy, you produce less waste and pollution, recycle more and keep more money in your pocket, useful for other things.
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Move less
If one wants to be consistent with an eco-sustainable life, it is necessary to make some sacrifices. In going on vacation, it would be best to avoid exotic destinations and travel by airplane, since the airplane is the most polluting means of transportation. Better to move by public transportation, walking or biking. We are not saying to avoid going on vacation, just, try to choose destinations closer to you.
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Decrease packaging and single-use items
Detergent packaging, plastic bags, plastic bottles: all these items and many others will no longer be sustainable within a few years. Stop using plastic plates and disposable items, all of which are non-recyclable. It is better to use cloth bags instead of plastic bags, it is better to take detergents on tap, it is better to use tea towels instead of paper in the kitchen. These are all behaviours, and there are thousands of them, that are very simple and allow us to be more eco-responsible.
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Eating differently
It would be necessary, for a green life, to eat less and differently. Less meat, the cause of intensive farming and terrible pollution, but more fish. Just to make you understand, 36% of all the world's grain is used to feed animals for slaughter: this is not good, especially considering the almost 800 million people who do not have enough to eat. Or, eat seasonal and 0 km products. You want strawberries in December and you live in Italy? Something is wrong, realise it.
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Investing in A+ class appliances
As many business people say: to save money, you have to invest. And nothing will save you money in your home life like buying the highest quality appliances possible, namely energy-saving ones. Obviously this is an investment that will return to you over a period of years, but there is no doubt about the long-term profitability of the operation.
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Turn down the heating in the house
It would be very useful to eliminate the nonsense of central heating in buildings, and instead invest in independent heating, keeping the temperature fixed at 19 degrees. Just wear an extra sweater in the house, or put on heavy socks, and the effect will be identical, with huge savings on your wallet, energy consumption and pollution produced. It is known that the next wars will be fought over energy, so let's be careful.
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Making recycling collection
Recycling is not just separating plastic from paper, it is much more. It means rinsing cans, separating labels, flattening bulky items, it means taking large items, as well as frying oils, to the ecological oasis. Not an insignificant cost in time, but one that benefits the whole planet, for us but especially for our children who will have to live on our leftovers and horrendous waste. In the United States, already, they are building a real business on it, as in the California city of San Francisco.
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Do not smoke or take drugs
This is not because of a personal health issue (which is always implied anyway, don't smoke or do drugs!!), but because of an ecological factor. Tobacco and drug crops take more and more arable land away from agriculture every year. In addition, the processing of these products pours tons and tons of chemicals into the soil every year, both in the soil and in rivers and seas.
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Don't waste water
We often repeat this, and it is something we are taught from childhood: let's not waste water. We shut off the water when we brush our teeth, we don't let it run when we wash our fruits and vegetables, we don't play with it. Water in the future will be as valuable as current oil, let's be careful.
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Work less > consume less
It may sound like a joke, and it is a joke to some extent, but let's think about it: by working less, we will earn less, and therefore have less money available for unnecessary consumption. It is an extreme method, but desperate times call for desperate measures. We need to take time back for ourselves, to be with our loved ones and devote ourselves to our passions.
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