6 simple steps towards a greener planet

Small everyday actions can do a lot for the planet! Together, by combining our efforts, each of us can play a part in protecting it and keeping it liveable for our children. By adopting 6 simple, effective eco-friendly habits, we help move things forward and turn the tide. At home, at work or on the move, they're easy to fit into your daily life, and they save you money too! So, ready to act for a greener planet?

How to cut your energy use effectively

Rising energy prices have no doubt already spurred you to cut your consumption. That's good for your wallet, and good for the environment too. Every price rise can be seen as a chance to take one more step towards more responsible consumption. So how can you go even further and help build a greener planet?

• Limit heating and air conditioning. In winter, 19 °C is the ideal temperature. At night or when you're out, it can be lowered to 16 °C. In summer, it shouldn't be more than 4 degrees below the outdoor temperature. Make good use of your blinds and shutters too: they're effective at keeping out the sun and stopping heat from escaping. And remember to set your water heater between 55 and 60 °C, and no higher.

• Wash your laundry at 30° or 40° whenever you can. It uses 3 times less energy than at 90 °C. Today's machines are efficient enough to get your clothes clean without high temperatures. Also, avoid using the tumble dryer, which is very power-hungry.

• Say no to electrical appliances left on standby: they still use energy! To make life easier, plug them into a power strip with an on/off switch. The same goes for your chargers: unplug them after use.

• “Were you born in a palace?” You've probably heard something like it! Keep it in mind every day, for example by matching lighting power to what you really need. A hallway can be less brightly lit than a workspace. And don't forget to switch off the lights when you leave a room. Choose LED or energy-saving bulbs: with them, you can save up to 30 euros a year for 10 bulbs.

• If you need to replace your household appliances, go for energy-efficient models.

Use less water

In France, we're lucky to have drinking water from every tap. But that water is still precious. Here are a few small, simple, eco-friendly ways to use less of it:

• Taking shorter showers can save you nearly 1,000 litres of water every month!

• Turn off the tap when you don't need water: while brushing your teeth, washing your hands, shaving, doing the dishes, etc.

• Fit a flow or pressure restrictor, a water-saving toilet flush, or any other device that cuts your consumption.

Protect the planet by eating better and more responsibly

We can all help protect the environment without necessarily going vegan! There's plenty you can do without changing everything, and that's encouraging!

• Choose seasonal and local produce. Seasonal fruit and vegetables haven't been grown in heated greenhouses, so they use less energy and are greener. Buying local means choosing short supply chains, which cut greenhouse gas emissions and help make the planet greener! Lucky enough to live near a farmers' market? Use it to support local farming and sustainable agricultural practices. And of course, the most local food of all is fruit and veg grown in your own garden, if you're able to!
• Eat less meat, fewer eggs and less dairy. Meat production is highly polluting and adds to the greenhouse effect. Cattle farming is largely responsible for the destruction of the world's forests and uses thousands of litres of water. As an alternative, you'll find protein in pulses, for example, which are far greener.
• Products from organic or sustainable farming are kinder to the environment and to your health (no chemical fertilisers, insecticides, etc.).
• If you eat fish, choose species from sustainable fisheries. These help preserve the marine resources that are essential to biodiversity.
• Éviter de consommer certains produits affichant un impact environnemental mauvais. L’huile de palme en est un. Il entre dans la composition de près d’un produit alimentaire sur 10 en Europe ! Sa production est à l’origine de la déforestation en Malaisie, de l’extinction de certaines espèces comme les orangs-outans et est liée à de nombreuses violations du droit du travail dans le monde.
• Rescue unsold food. Kilos of food are thrown away every week. The Too Good to Go smartphone app lets you buy, at low prices, what shops can no longer put on their shelves. It helps you fight food waste and save money.

A greener home for a protected natural world

A home where you breathe more easily, a healthier home: does that appeal? Then let's get started! Take a look at the products you use every day and keep at home. From now on, always choose the eco-friendly version. They help reduce water and air pollution, protect your health and contribute to a greener planet.

• Choose cleaning products with certifications such as the Ecocert label, NF or the EU Ecolabel.
• The same goes for cosmetics. You'll be supporting products not tested on animals and the protection of biodiversity.
• Air fresheners, paints, varnishes and the like give off VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which affect your health. Try to do without them.
• Many gardening products still contain toxic substances. Stay vigilant and make sure to ban pesticides from your garden or balcony. That way, you help protect biodiversity.

At LIFE, we're also determined to protect nature and promote a greener, more sustainable future. We firmly believe every action counts in the fight to preserve our planet. Through our Sapousse programme, we restore ecosystems by planting trees in many countries across Africa and Asia. We also run Green Initiatives that support sustainable livelihoods, and we train communities in sustainable farming and the wise management of resources.

Rethink how you get around

For your daily journeys, you can easily shrink your carbon footprint, notably by choosing active travel. And given the price of fuel, you'll save money as well as making the planet greener!

• Walk, cycle or scoot! If you need to carry the whole family, there's a wide range of cargo bikes, longtail bikes and more.
• For longer distances, you can take the car, but share the ride.
• Make the most of public transport! A metro passenger uses around 10 times less energy than if they drove, and avoids the stress of traffic jams!

Reduce your waste, recycle and reuse!

With just a little care, we can easily cut our waste. In the same spirit, when you shop or replace equipment, why not join the second-hand trend? It's a smart choice for the planet.

• The hunt for packaging and plastic is on. The goal: zero waste! Buying loose products and using containers, reusable bags and water bottles keeps costs down. Avoid plastic packaging as much as possible. You can swap cling film for a washable wrap or an eco-friendly biodegradable version.
• When it comes to sorting your waste, let's go over the basics: glass in the green bin; plastic, cardboard and packaging in the yellow bin; food waste in the organic compost (if your local council offers it); garden waste in the council compost or your own garden compost if you have one! For unsorted waste, it's the blue or grey bin!
• If you need new furniture, a new appliance or clothes, some purchases are greener than others. You'll find unexpected bargains among second-hand and refurbished products. A piece of furniture with a lovely patina beats a brand-new one full of glues and far-from-eco-friendly varnishes! And the icing on the cake: second-hand is very much in fashion!
• It's also very good for the planet to make your things last as long as possible. Look after your electronic devices, repair and mend your clothes, and so on. Let's get to it! And steer clear of fast fashion and its dreadful carbon footprint as much as you can.

Adopting habits for a greener planet has become a necessity! Your efforts to cut your waste, water and electricity use, and your choices of responsible travel and eco-friendly food, are crucial to minimising the impact of human activity on our environment. By acting individually, collectively and at government level, France and the whole world can help reduce their carbon footprint and pollution, and preserve nature and biodiversity. We all share an ecological responsibility, and together we can promote a sustainable way of life to secure a harmonious future for our planet and our children.

Join Sapousse to make a real difference. Let's come together to protect the planet!