Climate change is a real issue, but it is not irreversible. To combat it, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce your ecological footprint. Here are five tips to reduce your ecological footprint:

1. Learn the 5 R’s: Refuse, reduce, reuse, resell, and recycle. Generating zero waste is a great way to help combat climate change. Practice the 5 Rs of zero waste by avoiding plastic and paper products by saying “no, thank you” and opting for reusable products.

2. Ride your bike more and drive less: Traditional cars produce a lot of emissions, which pollute the air and cause toxins to human health. Challenge yourself to drive less and cycle more, as cycling requires much less energy than manufacturing a car. If you can’t bike to work, take public transportation to leave fewer cars on the road, which instantly reduces emissions.

3. Save water and protect waterways: Reducing water use is essential as there is a limited amount of water on the planet. 96.5 percent of the planet’s water is too salty for human consumption, and two-thirds of the remaining fresh water is contained in polar ice, glaciers, and permanent snow.

4. To save water and preserve waterways, practice the 5 R’s by brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, not flushing things down the toilet, avoiding soaps and detergents full of toxins, and organizing or participating in a cleanup in your local community. Opt for reusable items and support local farmers by buying seasonal, local, and plant-based products.

5. Switch to clean and sustainable energy: End our dependence on fossil fuels by switching to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy. Install solar panels on your roof, join a community solar farm, sign up for energy-saving programs, reduce electricity consumption, invest in energy-efficient products, and buy an electric car.

If you enjoyed this article, share it on your social networks and help us save the planet from permanent climate change.