First and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving to all. This is a time for family, friends, good food, and, more importantly, reflecting on things that matter most in life.
And with that in mind, it's also important to give thanks to the planet and give back a little. Here are just a couple of ways you can reduce your environmental footprint this Thanksgiving.
- Go big on veggies this year. Eating less meat is one of the most impactful choices you can make in an effort to reduce climate change. Luckily, turkey isn't as bad for the environment as beef, but it still requires extra land, water, and fuel to produce.
- Take a bus instead of flying or driving. While this isn't for everyone, hopping on a Greyhound bus can save on carbon emissions, especially when compared to flying.
- Avoid unnecessary purchases. Buying less stuff can help conserve natural resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing and shipping, and reduce waste in landfills.
- Shop for gifts at the thrift store instead. This is a great way to maximize the energy and resources that went into creating each item. Thrift stores are also great places to find unique gifts at great prices.
- Plan out your meal before you go shopping — make a list, and make it a priority to buy only what you need.
Bonus: You might feel like you won't want your leftovers after having extra helpings all evening, but don't throw anything away. You never know how you'll feel the next day, repurpose whatever leftovers you can, and if you're really sick of that pumpkin pie, give it to a neighbor or friend.
