In my local grocery stores, I always see people reaching into the back of a shelf or case to get the "freshest" product, instead of taking the front one. This makes it so lots of stuff has to be thrown out because when something gets to the front, nobody wants it. If you're using something tomorrow, don't grab one that doesn't expire for 2 weeks. My stores have a "enjoy tonight" label that I look for. About to expire but perfectly fine, and if you toss it in the freezer, it's good for a long time ❤
Thank you ! That was useful. In addition to your list, the thing that I am about to suggest might be considered as a subcategory of the buying second hand "rule", but I'd like to bring this hot topic. So. If anyone considers getting a pet, please don't buy it from a petshop. Instead adopt one from an animal shelter. Many of them are really nice and cute and are just looking for a home. Formidable people who work in these shelters need our help, they need us to support their work by completing the cycle when getting a pet from a shelter instead of supporting often trashy animal businesses, a practice which may contribute to worsen the problem of abandonned pets.
Upcyle your "old" textiles i.e. bed linens, blankets, and clothes. I got a new mattress a few years ago and some of my old cotton sheets didn't fit so rather than throw them away I made one sheet into a victorian chamise. Rachel Maksy has a RU-vid channel she goes to Goodwill for her materials to make cosplay and to make vintage or vintage inspired clothes. I'm sure she's not the only one.
I think it’s important to point out that noone says every person on this earth *needs* to stop using all animal products 100% forever, the same way noone says we can’t drive cars. I have some anti-vegan co-workers and they all think that’s what it’s about, when in reality it’s simply about the problem of over-consumption (as is most things when it comes to sustainability). Lowering your consumption of animal products is always a big impact, and switching to vegan alternatives where you can, like switching to plantmilks in your coffee, vegan butter or baking with water instead of milk.
Hi! Could you do a video about how small businesses can be more sustainable and eco-friendly. I think it would be really helpful for those who have their own business.
Of course i have a water efficient shower head on my apartment but why didn't I ever think to look up a water saving tap for the sinks??? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about it 😩
Hello Gittemary, just to put it out there, you really inspire me a lot with your videos. I am now 4 years into my sustainability journey and have done a lot of things on your list plus a little more. I just wish that my partner was more on board with my journey as he does the exact opposite to what i do
That's not a great sign in your partnership. He might do this as anxiety (not being productive enough, man enough, keeping up with the Joneses, etc. The meat stuff for ex is seen as maintaining masculinity in many cultures.
@@LaureMBrussolo oh no his diet doesnt really concern me as he is a pescatarian, though since we moved into our flat together, he eats the same foods that i do which is vegetarian and only eats fish if we go out which is occasionally. What does concern me is that he doesnt want to commit to reducing our plastic waste which frustrates me a lot. He buys disposable wipes for cleaning although i have perfectly good cloth and spray which effectively does the same job also he continually buys plastic bags from the supermarket instead of taking a reusable bag, hes forever buying single use items as well instead of using reusables
This sounds like you might want to have an open conversation with him. Not one where you try to convince him, but one where you are genuinely curious about his habits and motivations. Try to not show how you disapprove of his behaviour but instead approach it positively and to find his intrinsic motivation
My mom and sister are like this, saying they believe they need petroleum-based products to maintain their high hygienic standard. They have had immune concerns in the past but are also closed off to trying if the latest and greatest plant-based items work. Often I’m told that 1 brand’s product was tried 5+ years ago or the gentle products I’ve chosen are presented as evidence of “not good enough”. I believe some of this close-mindedness is related to needing control as they’ve yet to heal from childhood traumas. I had to train my brain to understand that this is their limit of “as much as they can”. Now I focus on what changes I can continue to make and share that with like-minded people.
I am trying to be more sustainable and I am definitely more on board with trying different things than my husband is. For example, I switched to using soap bars and shampoo bars, but he couldn't do that switch but he was willing to try and use re-fillable shampoo from our local zerowaste shop, and now that's what we do. Going to the supermarket I would choose fruit and veg that are not plastic wrapped or better still buy them from the farmers market if they are available. Since he noticed me doing that, he has done that when he went shopping on his own. I never told him he needed to, but he made the change if he thinks it is a reasonable and acceptable thing to do. He definitely isn't the leader in this journey but when I make the change he is willing to give it a try. And slowly sometimes I would suggest to make a change, and then we discuss whether or not it is a good idea. We compromise. I am very grateful that I have a very understanding husband and to be honest I am not the most hard-core zerowaste fighter. A relationship works when you are open and honest. Have a frank conversation about what you are actually trying to achieve, perhaps almost to tell him you are not expecting you or him to be completely zerowaste and perfect, it is just to try little changes. Perhaps he is anxious about what you are trying to achieve and worried about the stress of it if he caves.
Plenty of food can be thrown away by the supplier too because the supermarkets refuse to pay for it. In Australia our supermarkets have begun to sell 'imperfect' produce for cheaper, often the imperfection is its size, or unusual shape. I love to find the overly small apples for snacks. What's even better is I have seen a few delivery services now that sell 'imperfect' produce from the farmer's. Meaning more of the profit goes to farmers who are the backbone of our country, go through many hardships, and get unpaid. I order from one of these places and the food is fresher and more delicious, just a little awkward. 😊 Check out if you have a way to buy imperfect produce from local farmers, it's all round win!
I honestly never have heard someone talk about this but could you make tips on how to buy a car sustainably because I’m in the United States and nothing is in walking distance and you have to drive everywhere but I had an eco efficient card a hybrid but it got totaled in a recent near death experience car accident I had and I’d love to hear more options and what I should do now on this car buying process
I would be interested in a video of different car company supply chains as well. Plus how bad the infrastructure is here, between the impact of electric battery manufacturing, the lack of recycling or reuse of them after their life, and how infrequent charging stations are as well as where those stations source their electricity from... They've had like 50-60 years to figure it out, but haven't yet so it makes it really difficult to actually have a more efficient vehicle
Love your videos. I learn so much. Small thing, could you leave the data slides you use on screen for a bit longer please? I think the evidence / resources you use is important for us to note. Many thanks. Jo
Can you make a video re: impact of things like HelloFresh and BlueApron? These meal prep delivery services greenwash and claim to reduce waste. How?! It's all single-use plastic packaging, delivered long distances - makes me nauseous, yet so many people fall for it.
Hi Gittemary, I wanted to ask you this for some time, and your last point just reminded me of it: do you go to climate protests sometimes? I thought it could be really cool if you would make a kind of 'vlog' style video of going to a protest, and showing what it's like. I think you could inspire many people that might still be a bit hesitant or don't know what to expect. I personally love the feeling of being in the streets together with the people that want to fight for the same things, I think it's really empowering :D
I'm so glad you mentioned switching to a more sustainable bank because I've been meaning to do that! I put in on my goals list for this year. Also, I need to learn how to store food properly in the refrigerator, so I went searching on your channel & found a video you made about it.
I was wanting to do this too! Most suggestions I found had Credit Unions at the top of the list but that became so overwhelming of which ones were big enough, local enough, could support intl travel, etc. Due to a different reason, I ended up opening an account with Bank of the West and was happily surprised by their new motto and company commitment. Whether it is greenwashing or real, time will tell. But it’s working on me
We live full time in an RV with solar power, composting toilet, and water saving facets. I am the cook and no food goes to waste, I utilize everything! I wish we could dumpster dive but it is not an option here, but we did get all our summer plants from a local store that was tossing them away due to lack of neglect (they are flourishing in my pots). We try to buy secondhand when we can. Thank you for being such an inspiration 💕
I joined Foodsharing about a year ago (organisation in Germany and some other countries, we basically save surplus food in cooperation with supermarktes, bakeries etc.). Seeing with your own eyes what would otherwise have been thrown away is INSANE.
I really love your videos, I watch when they come out always : ) The one thing I will say is that I agree that it really matters what you eat to reduce your carbon footprint. However it's not a good solution to everyone, as someone with a history of eds I make a huge effort to only eat what I like, and not cut foods out. I can eat whatever I want to bring joy and not worry like it used to. I don't eat beef, whenever possible but sometimes it's what my parents make for dinner and I have to go with it. Just thought I'd put this out there, keep up the good work! 💙
Words do not explain how much your channel has changed my way of thinking over the years I’ve watched you. I find myself thinking about nearly everything differently now. 💙 it also makes me think of what I do without even noticing that I do it.
Be careful about gathering rainwater! In some places (such as Colorado) it’s actually illegal. It sounds a bit silly but the law was implemented because of drought reasons when every drop counted 😅
Yeh, people/companies own the water rights and that includes any run off that would be going through personal property. Or they own the rights to the groundwater under personal property so you can't put wells or anything.
Actually according to the Colorado division of water resources residents are allowed to collect rainwater no permit is even needed just a closable lid and there is a limit to how much you can collect in a year but it's a couple hundred gallons.
I also believe that reducing packaged products helps, since not only the product needs to be produced, but it's packaging as well. Just my thoughts about it 😊
The packaging has a significantly lower impact than the product itself. So if you find products with an lower impact and with more packaging then I would highly suggest you buy that instead of the product with less packaging.
I'm glad because I do around 6 actions that you said. I add to that information is very important. I think it's the beginning of actions, so informe yourself is very cool. It's a nice video, as always 😉. Have a good day 👋
The first tip is actually the one I struggle with the most. I have a bank account in one of the 40 biggest banking istitutes worldwide, have had it for years. I recently discovered that my bank invests in fossil fuels and nuclear energy like there's no tomorrow (literally!) and this is bugging me a lot! But I'm struggling to find a good alternative so... Are there any Italian followers who know a good bank? Or maybe even an online one would do? Any suggestion is very much appreciated!!! Also, totally in love with your shirt in this video, Gittemary!!!
L'energia nucleare non è necessariamente negativa però, se guardi anche solo l'ultimo video di Breaking Italy i commenti sono estremamente interessanti a riguardo!
Thank you very much for reminding me of the bank- and energy supplier-thing. My lazy and shy me postponed it so many times, I think now it's definitely time to to do it. 💪🌱 Have a lovely day!
Thankiiiuuu for the inspirational video, love it💕 I also think that consuming conciously in general is a very effective way to reduce our impact. By that I mean: no overconsumption and only buying things that we really need and that add value to our life.
I have said this before. Fleas scabies or worse nothing would make me buy second hand clothes apart from from a friend that I know personally. Do people understand how much it costs to have a house fumigrated? I doubt it.
One of the problems I face? All my loval shops carry the big corporations products. 😢 Any one has any advice? Currently im buying from sustainable estores but the shipping makes me qonder if its worth it....even though i think the items in my local stores were also probably shipped from somewhere though that could be a factory in my city itself. Who knows?
Amazing video! I found your channel by randomly thinking about getting a indoor compost to lower waste and support my houseplants, but I'm so happy I landed on this video. I live in Italy, so I am still doing research, but I am definitely going to ask my landlord to switch energy providers.
Most of them are things we do for as long as I can remember and I used to tease my mum and grandma for living like the pre-war times but well.. I guess mother knows best 😅
Haha! I've just seen you on romanian tv and was thrilled about it! They were selecting ideas about how one can gift experiences to loved ones for the holidays and also how to be more sustainable by using more of what we buy, enter your idea of dumpling filling made from cauliflower leaves. Thank yooou for educating romanian consumers as well , Gittemary!
Great, I did miss the overall impact maker: earn less. Try to cut/trim your jobs! Money has to go somewhere. Less money=less waste. You can convert freed up time to voluntary work as there are things that need to be done. Tip for the video: add chapter marks. And if you want to improve your impact: stop uploading HD. Do all videos 480p from now! That saves a lot of bandwidth.
With the Unhook plugin for your browser, you can force 480p as default quality when viewing videos, as YT wants to go up as high as possible based on computer speed/internet bandwidth, and it also cuts out all distraction like auto-play, suggestion lists, prefetching unviewed content etc. Unhook took down my YT data needs by 80%.
I personally have an opposite view on this. We live in a capitalist world, money is literal votes on what gets produced. With more money you can support green energy generation, small innovative businesses etc...
@@amelie3012 Your view sounds attractive in theory, in reality you see people earning like 3-4 times avarage seriously overconsuming. They for example buy a Tesla, which is a great example of green washing, not actually lowring your footprint. Or they get a very modern new built well insulated house with all modern eco-savvy installations, yet the house is like 3 times as big, using a super big amount of materials, and still having the energy use of a regular 1950 home with bad insulation.
@@lovemadeinjapan oh yes I completely agree, but on this channel's comments you are targeting people with an ecological mindset. I believe that limiting people with that kind of mindsets to lower paying jobs isn't necessarily the best way forward
They are big there? I thought they were a local Dutch bank only, although I've spotted some offices in Belgium, which is weird, as they are office-less in the Netherlands except for a tiny HQ.
I transitioned to Veganism in December 2021 and I'm not looking back. I have enjoyed it so much, I feel more energetic and overall healthy. 🌿 I've also just recently moved and needed some items, some of which I managed to find at my local thrift store.
For fancy cheese, I never buy it until it's on clearance, À) because it's cheaper, B) because of my family's french heritage we like a more developed, stinkier cheese so we believe it's not worth eating until it's past the best before date. (however we understand the difference between good funky developed cheese and bad will make you sick cheese, if you aren't confident, stick with whatever you know). I understand cheese is controversial because it's a animal product, but I only eat small amounts, and only on clearance when everyone else is not as gutsy to buy it. So it was likely to go to waste if I didn't buy it.
wow i’ve never heard of the first point being brought up this way but it opened my eyes. i researched and my bank is the biggest investor in the uk in fossil fuels however they have released a statement (on my birthday!!) last year saying they are no longer investing in fossil fuels. hopefully this is true i am going to do further research tonight
I would have thought that travel (by airplane, car etc.) would be included.... is that less important/effective than the other 11? Or maybe just forgotten ;)
Hi! Love this video and your channel in general, but could you leave the graphs on the screen for maybe a second longer? I now have to go back and click pause to view them, because they're gone so fast and it's just a hassle.
I know you've done a short video about different banks, but could you do a video explaininh how to find if a bank is investing in fossil fuels or not? I tried looking my bank up and couldn't find anything
I am sorry but also reproducing. There are enough and too many of us as it is. Unpopular opinion I know. But also same as for animals-adoption is best if you want kids. The impact of having a kid is huge. I think this needs to be talked about. The planet is in a bad state and we have to consider that more people on it is just more problems.
Overpopulation is a myth that has its roots in eugenics, racism and ableism. Also, adoption is definitely not the best if you want kids, but is in fact harmful in many cases (especially in cases of international adoption, where often children are stolen from their parents). I would highly recommend you to read up on both of these subjects.
In the early 1970's this was a popular topic - over population was viewed as a very serious problem. There is a important boo on the topic - I think the author is Paul Ehrlich? ( Might be 'Diet fort a Small Planet') Now it is never mentioned - it should be. There are almost 8 BILLION people on the planet - that is far too many! Unfortunately I do to see things improving. I don't care how unpopular this opinion makes me - I've suppoerted it since I was 10, and I am now over 60 and yes, childfree.
@@itsjustlenneke yes it's very sad. It's best to allow everyone the choice to have kids or not. And an important aspect of that includes sex education (which is basically nonexistent in the US where I'm from) , free birth control and in the US legalizing abortions again.
In Spain doesn't matter with whom you have your power people recive the same type of energy. That's because here the company that distributes the energy doesn't change with changing company.
I think it is the same everywhere, the energy is put into the national grid. But your provider either puts green energy or fossil fuel into the national grid so it does have an impact.
It's the same everywhere. But if you buy from a 100% renewable producer, that producer have more money to invest building more renewable plants and put more clean electricity in the grid👍
I was shocked when I realized that my bank (rabobank) invests client money in weapons in the middle east, and oil drilling. It's a bit of administration to swap banks, but so glad I did it.
