Examine whether your hobbies are environmentally friendly and how they affect the community around you.
Surely you have never stopped to think about whether the activities you practice in your free time are environmentally conscious. Hobbies are meant to make us feel happy and at peace; however, we rarely analyze whether they are good for the planet.
If you suspect that your hobbies are not sustainable and are saddened by the thought of giving them up, we have good news for you: there are many ways you can increase the sustainability of your hobbies! You will need to take some extra steps to make sure the activities are eco-friendly. We always have the option to be responsible and that’s the key.
When you are traveling
Traveling is the favorite hobby of hundreds of people. If this is your case, it is important that you become a responsible traveler. In the article “Sustainable tourism and how to be a responsible traveler.” that we published a few weeks ago, we explain how you can make sure you take care of the planet while you are on the road. We recommend you take a look at it!
It is very important to be aware that nature and communities are often at particular risk when the vacation season arrives. Just the CO2 produced by our means of transportation, especially if it is an airplane, is already causing irreversible damage.
It’s a fact that going on a trip is not the most sustainable pastime, but there are ways to help create a smaller footprint. Just to give you an example, you can choose to travel on the roads and share transportation with family or friends, there are even apps like BlaBlaCar that connect you with other travelers going to the same place who want to carpool.
When you cook
At first glance, it is hard to imagine how cooking could be harmful to the environment; however, food waste and the irresponsibility of the food industry can create an environmental problem. For example, the water needed to process meat or the emissions produced in food production damage the planet. Nevertheless, it is possible to be a conscious amateur chef.
Composting leftover food, growing your own garden, consuming less meat, and buying local produce are all ways to mitigate the carbon footprint this hobby can have. Fortunately, cooking at home generates less waste in terms of disposable paper towels or emissions from home delivery services.
When you go to the gym
In general, avoiding the gym is the best option. That doesn’t mean abandoning exercise altogether; being active is an excellent way to stay healthy, both mentally and physically. For this reason, it is important to prioritize outdoor activity, as it is even beneficial for the environment. Not only do these activities require less electrical power, but they also increase environmental awareness and conservation. Going for a run is much better than using a treadmill that requires light to operate.
If you love sports, you can start one at any time: climbing, biking, running, hiking, soccer, or any other. Just be sure to be responsible while you practice them: don’t leave litter, use equipment purchased at a local store, and participate in community eco-activities; only in this way, your hobby will remain sustainable.
All hobbies have positive and negative aspects, so it’s important to examine whether yours is environmentally friendly and how it affects the community around you. Analyze the amount of energy it uses, the carbon emissions it generates, and in general, rate what that activity gives back to the world. As long as you are responsible for these aspects, your hobbies can be sustainable and at the same time, be entertaining.