Acting daily
Food, resource saving, responsible consumption… There are many small changes, which imply a big change. Our choices as consumers can make a difference. Every day we have the power to act! Here are some actions:
Opting for responsible consumption
in our diet:
Erosion of biodiversity, soil destruction, water pollution, pollinator decline and climate change are some of the effects of intensive agriculture. We must urgently review our production methods.
- Check that the fruit and vegetables we buy are in season. The impact of their cultivation on the environment will be much lower than in the case of those grown above ground or in heated greenhouses.
- Choose products that are grown using sustainable production methodsthat protect biodiversity and soil health such as agroecology. Look for labels such as Growing for life in your fruit and vegetables to be sure that you are consuming responsibly.
- Take action against food waste. Did you know that 30% of the world’s agricultural production is lost or wasted ? In industrialised countries, waste is mainly at the level of final consumers. Adapt your shopping to your real needs and plan a list of products to avoid compulsive purchases that are likely to end up in the bin and disrupt your daily economy.
Optimising energy consumption:
Fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas, etc.) release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which are responsible for global warming. The future lies in renewable energies (solar, wind, etc.) with a minimal ecological footprint. Here are some simple tips to reduce your energy consumption and accelerate the energy transition.
How can you reduce the consumption of your electrical appliances?
- Chasing the “little red lights”: eaving appliances on standby can account for up to 10% of your electricity bill. It is essential to remember to turn off computers, televisions, printers, etc. completely by unplugging them at night and during times when we are away. A television on standby for a whole day consumes as much power as when it is watched for the duration of two films.
- Unplugging your appliances to cut the power supply directly: a transformer, for example the telephone transformer, left connected but inactive, continues to consume electricity.
- Buy electrical appliances with environmental labels: the European Ecolabel for household appliances. These labels guarantee that the products are easily repairable and recyclable, that they are energy efficient in use, and that they do not contain certain substances that are hazardous to human health.
Better manage your water consumption
Water is probably the most precious resource we have, along with air. Unfortunately, we tend to waste it. Although per capita water consumption is about 150 litres per day, only 1% of this volume is drunk. On a global scale, water consumption has increased sixfold in a century. While drinking water resources are decreasing, their wastage is accelerating. We are becoming less careful with the water we have available and millions of litres fit for consumption are unfortunately being lost.
By adopting certain behaviours in your daily life, you can avoid wasting “blue gold”. Our proposals:
- Recover wastewater: use the water from washing vegetables to water your plants.
- Check your water meter before and after a period of absence.
- Save water in your bathroom. 39% of the water we use every day is allocated to showers and baths: choose short showers over baths.