We are facing the hottest summer in the last ten years. The high temperatures and heat waves that hit us showed that global warming is not a myth but a reality we live in.
Take advantage of this summertime and start slowly with the implementation of ecologically acceptable lifestyle habits. Living sustainably in summer doesn’t have to be difficult. The point of a sustainable lifestyle is to change personal awareness, work on yourself and create a sustainable environment that will eventually result in a better relationship with nature and the environment. Change things step by step, day by day. We are sure that in the end you will be happy and fulfilled, and the inner satisfaction of doing good for nature and the environment will be your fuel for further development of a sustainable lifestyle.
Start gaining sustainable habits in a few simple steps.
1. Reduce your use of electricity
Living without air conditioning in the summer has become almost impossible. If you have an old air conditioner in your household and you plan to replace it with a new one, consider buying an energy-efficient air conditioner that will cool the space even better and save you money. To maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, do not leave the windows wide open during the hottest days. Hot air seeks constant and unnecessary use of air conditioning to keep the space cool. Keep the windows open just long enough to let fresh air in and be sure to cover them with dark curtains or close the shutters during the strongest heat.
In addition, if you want to keep the room cool for longer and reduce your use of electricity in the summer, do house chores such as washing clothes, ironing, and cooking early in the morning or late in the evening when the air temperature is lower than the average daily temperature.
2. Prepare meals with your own vegetables and fruits
If you are lucky enough to have a garden, start growing your own vegetables and fruits. Besides being useful for stress release, gardening is good for the environment by reducing CO2 levels in the air. If you don’t have an outdoor space for growing, certain varieties of fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, carrots, and others can be planted on the windowsill. By growing your own, you will always have fresh food on the table, and you will also take a big step in implementing sustainability into your lifestyle.
3. Use reusable instead of single-use solutions
Cooking or outdoor picnics are often practiced in the summer. However, they can create large amounts of waste that can easily be avoided by using alternative reusable solutions such as reusable cutlery, reusable cups and washable cloths instead of napkins. If you bring food to the beach, pack it in glass, metal or steel containers, instead of plastic. If you want to be sustainable, avoid using plastic wrap to wrap food. Instead, use natural materials, such as wax and make the wrap yourself. Using reusable alternatives, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, because the production of single-use plastic consumes a lot of natural resources such as trees and fossil fuels, and most plastic items are only used once. In addition, most single-use products regardless of the material they are made from can only be recycled once or not at all. This means that by using single-use plastic products, you are encouraging a linear economy, instead of a sustainable circular economy.
4. Forget about your car
Leaving your car keys at home in the summer is not easy. We won’t recommend you give up driving right away, but we advise you to use public transport, bicycle, rommobil or simply just walk for shorter distances, of course if the temperatures allow it. In addition to being more useful to the planet, you will also experience significant changes in your own health.
5. Choose eco-friendly sunscreens
Protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays with sun creams that don’t contain harmful chemical ingredients and don’t harm the environment. According to UN estimates, a fifth of the world’s coral reefs are dead, and the chemical ingredients of certain cosmetics also contribute to this. So, replace your sunscreen with a non-toxic alternative today. Sunscreens that do not harm the environment can be found here.
6. Spend your summer in sustainable accommodation
Research shows that more and more travelers are opting for sustainable travel. If you are planning to rent accommodation for your vacation, choose one that has a certificate of ecological sustainability. The Association Sunce through the Dalmatia Green program promotes sustainable tourism and encourages staying in certified sustainable accommodation, promotes local and organic food, unique souvenirs, sustainable activities, responsible travel and visiting unique ‘undiscovered’ locations in Dalmatia. If you want to have a sustainable summer, choose accommodation in one of the certified Dalmatia Green facilities.
Now prepared and informed you can continue enjoying your sustainable summer days!