The Earth has been around for thousands and thousands of years, and it is today’s climate that is slowly killing it.

This is to do with global warming which is rises in temperature and sea levels, and humans are at fault for this. With excessive deforestation, animal farming, increases of CO2 levels and big public figures disregarding the science of it all, the Earths years are numbered.

Many people are worried and scared about what the future holds. Will there be a world in which I can raise my children? Is a question I think about daily, as well as ‘Is there any point in anything, Was there a point to get my degree if there is no world to use it in?’

There is a term that I saw from Finn Harries instagram account, he is an activist and was apart of the YouTube channel JacksGap, that perfectly sums up what I and many of the young generation feel, which is ‘Eco Anxiety’.

This is feelings of worry or agitation caused by concerns about the present and future state of the environment.

Us humans must get some credit though, as through increases of the vegan lifestyle, protests (Extinction Rebellion) and with younger people getting brave enough to voice their concerns (Greta Thunberg, Autumn Peltier, and Mari Copeny) a lot has changed in the past five years.

Companies such as McDonalds have changed their plastic straws for paper ones, Waitrose has trialed a package free way of shopping, where customers bring in their own containers, to limit the amount of plastic that is being used, and Burger King has introduce a new meatless burger.

All these companies have been listening to people and have changed their ways to better the planet, but this isn’t enough. Paper straws are being used but there are still plastic cup lids.

There are people out in the world who are trying there best to help save this great planet that we live on, but sometimes we feel hopeless that we’re not doing enough, because sometimes people can berate you for this reason.

For example, you could use re-usable shopping bags but still eat fish, people will overlook your positive contribution because you aren’t doing what they think you should.

This attitude may cause people not to even try because even if they do, they may be told they’re not doing enough, but they are doing what they can. Not everyone has the means or opportunity to completely change their lifestyle to save the planet.

Or some people may think it is pointless as they are the ones being told to save the environment but there are celebrities that use private jets.

With all that being said, any positive changes are a great contribution to the on going battle of saving the world.

In university I picked up a book, that was made by the uni and they called it “How to be a student and not destroy the world.” But I think anyone can use these tips.

1. Switch out your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one.
2. Have a meat/fish free day.
3. Buy a metal straw and use that when you’re out.
4. If you’re a woman and you are comfortable/are able to, use a menstrual cup, or buy biodegradable sanitary products.
5. Turn any gadgets that you see in your home off standby.
6. When you’re not in a room turn the lights/heat off.
7. When brushing your teeth turn the tap off and only turn it on when rinsing your toothbrush.
8. Use a blanket to keep warm, instead of turning your heating on (this is difficult for me because I love being in a nice warm room, but I will try and only use my heating sparingly, even writing this post I am wrapped up in a blanket.)
9. Have shorter showers.
10. If you can buy local food/visit markets.
11. When shopping use reusable bags and don’t forget them, keep them in your car, so you don’t have to keep buying them.
12. When you need to travel, try and take the bus or train, or if and ONLY IF YOU FEEL SAFE TO, walk or ride a bike to your destination, you will save the Earth and be staying fit at the same time.
13. Buy and use a reusable bottle.

There are some tips that you may or may not know, but I would encourage you to make one small positive change, and if you can’t don’t worry about it, like I have said not many people have the means to do it. Don’t let anyone discourage you, you are trying your best.

I will be posting more tips and will be writing about my experiences of trying to ‘save the world’ by changing my lifestyle, for what I can do. Let me know what you think, and any tips you have or that I should try.

And with that, I will leave you with a quote my aunty said to me when I asked her about what she thinks of the situation about the Earth;

“We will die of old age and you will die of climate change.”