Ecofriendly Living Tips for the Summer
Does the summer heat have you running your car’s air conditioner on full blast or buying more refreshing drinks in single-use plastic bottles?
It can be difficult to find an ecofriendly balance in the summer when all you want to do is stay cool. Keep in mind that we can’t be perfect while trying to minimize our personal carbon footprints.
Our organization is all about the power of small daily changes like the daily commute. We’re here to help with some easy daily tips to stay cool while living green this summer!
Top 5 Summer Car Tips
As we enter June, your carpool is likely in full swing. Let’s make sure we’re staying on top of maintenance and cleanliness to keep our vehicles in good shape this summer!
Here are our 5 summer tips to keep your carpool cool:
- Test your AC
- Get your air filter inspected
- Check tire pressure before long summer days
- Park in the shade
- Be prepared with helpful car gadgets
Who Needs Some Summer Fun in their Workday?
As we settle into August, we know it can feel like we’re missing out on some great summer days as we work from home. By the time we are off the clock, the hot, sunny day has become a warm, golden evening.
Since we can’t all sit at the beach all day, here are ways to bring some summertime joy into your workday, and we’d like to share some with you.
Try different lunches that remind you of summer days. We’re talking watermelon salads, BBQ sandwiches, and iced coffees. Food is a big part of your day, whether you realize it or not.
Brighten up your desk! Let in the natural sunlight, get a bouquet of flowers to put in your space, or get some new décor that makes you smile. Whether you are working from home or back in the office, making your workspace a positive environment will in turn make you happier to be at work!
Try some fruit infused water. The flavors of summer can channel the joy that relaxing by the pool can bring. In season fruits in August are strawberries, lemons and limes, blackberries, blueberries, and more.
We hope these tips can help you bring the summer fun to your daily life, even on the weekdays. Happy August!
5 Ways to Enjoy an Eco-Friendly Summer
Making small efforts to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle can actually save you money this summer, and inspire positive change in different areas of your daily life. Here are 5 ways to have some great, green summer fun!
Shop Local: Farmers Markets
Going to a farmers market isn’t only a fun summer activity. There are more to these markets than meets the eye. Produce at farmers markets are typically sold at lower prices than a supermarket, and three out of every four farmers say they use practices consistent with organic standards. By shopping at local farmers markets, you can be spending less to receive sustainably grown produce all while stimulating local economies and preserving America’s farmlands.
Beat the Heat: Close your Shades
You’d be surprised how much heat can come in through your windows. A good way to prevent running the air conditioning all day long is to close your shades on hot summer days. This is a natural way to provide shade to your home and save money on energy costs.
Two Words: Bike More!
One of the worst parts of summer is opening your car door to the intense wave of heat that has been trapped inside. Then, you slide onto your seat that can reach temperatures upwards of 180-200 degrees F, and nearly burn yourself on the metal seatbelt. How can we avoid this? Bike there! For trips within a few miles, biking there is a great way to leave the car at home altogether and save money on gas!
Use Reef Friendly Sunscreen
Believe it or not, island nations and states are beginning to ban beachgoers from wearing harmful sunscreens in the waters. When it comes to purchasing reef friendly sunscreen, checking the active ingredients is key. The big substances to look for are Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, parabens, and microplastics. If any of these are listed, put it back on the shelf. Here is an in-depth article from the Save the Reef charity project to learn more.
Doing your Part: Picking up Litter
A good motto to bring to your eco-friendly summer is to leave every space better than you found it. Something simple to include in your beach or hiking routine is bringing a trash bag and gloves with you. As you clean up after yourself, picking up litter even on a small scale makes a difference. Joining community beach clean-ups is also a weekend activity that can be fun and very rewarding!
Be safe in the heat this summer, and don’t forget that even small efforts to living a more eco-friendly lifestyle are worth it!
Protect Your Skin with SPF
Now that we all have facemask tan lines to worry about, it is at the front of our personal care priorities to wear sunscreen on our faces and bodies every day.
While we are soaking up the sun every chance we get amidst COVID-19 closures, we are mindful of how to protect our skin from the hot summer sun.
What Should I Look for in Sunscreen?
- Broad-spectrum to protect against UVA and UVB rays
- SPF 30 or higher
- Water resistance to stand up to sweat
What is the Difference Between UVA and UVB?
UVA is known as Ultraviolet A. These wavelengths are present all year and in any weather. UVA penetrates deep into the skin and causes long-term skin damage, wrinkling, and aging.
UVB is Ultraviolet B. This is the wavelength that plays a major role in burning, tanning, accelerating skin aging, and the development of skin cancer.
Why SPF 30 or Higher?
Any sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. As you go higher than 30 SPF, the level of protection only increases very minimally. Unfortunately, no sunscreen can block 100% of harmful rays from the sun.
Be Kind to Your Skin!
If you bike, walk, take public transit, or drive solo or in a car/vanpool to work, remember to apply sunscreen before you head out for the day. You’d be surprised at the sun’s power. Even through the car windshield, UVA rays can penetrate the skin.
Beautiful, healthy skin loves vitamin D from the sun. Make sure you are always wearing sunscreen so that you can nourish your body and mind with fresh air and sunlight in the safest way possible!