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Before you hit record, consider whether a photo might tell the story just as well. Video-heavy social platforms require enormous amounts of data storage and streaming power, which translates into a significant carbon footprint. Short videos can be fun and engaging, but a single photo post uses far less data and energy to upload, store and view. When a picture can communicate the same message, choosing a photo over a video is a simple way to reduce your digital impact.
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If you enjoy sparkling water, an at-home carbonator is one of the most sustainable options available. By carbonating your tap water, you eliminate the need to manufacture, package and transport heavy bottles. Studies show that a home carbonation system can offset its environmental footprint after just a few dozen uses, making it a smart choice for both the planet and frequent sparkling water drinkers. If you must buy store-bought, go with sparkling water packaged in aluminum, which is infinitely recyclable and has the smallest footprint.
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Booking a morning flight can be a more climate-friendly choice. The reason comes down to contrails -- the streaks of condensation aircraft leave behind in the sky. During daylight hours, contrails can reflect some of the sun's energy back into space, helping to offset a portion of aviation's warming impact. At night, however, contrails act more like a blanket, trapping heat near the Earth's surface without providing that cooling benefit.
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Here's how to have a green wedding. Skip paper waste by sending digital invitations and managing RSVPs online, or choose recycled or plantable seed-paper stationery if you prefer a printed touch. Rent reusable decor, linens, dishes and glassware instead of buying disposable items, and source local, in-season flowers -- or opt for potted plants and dried arrangements that can live on long after the celebration. For an even smaller footprint, host your ceremony and reception at the same eco-conscious venue to reduce guest travel and cut overall wedding-day emissions.
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Before buying something new, check a resale site first. Shopping secondhand helps extend the life of perfectly good products, reduces demand for new manufacturing and keeps usable items out of landfills. Just keep one thing in mind: The biggest environmental benefit comes when a pre-owned purchase replaces something you would have bought new, not when it becomes an excuse to buy more than you actually need. And with many sellers now flipping inexpensive goods online for profit, be sure your purchase is truly giving an item a second life rather than simply fueling another cycle of consumption.
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When possible, choose paper products that are made domestically. While recycled paper has benefits, paper manufactured closer to home often has a smaller carbon footprint because it avoids the emissions associated with long-distance shipping (where most recycled products are made in other countries). Domestic paper mills are also subject to stricter environmental regulations and sustainable forestry standards, making it easier to trace where materials come from. The best bet? Recycled paper products made domestically.
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It may sound like a problem for "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," but if you do one thing to help our oceans, consider passing on eating caviar. Caviar varietals like beluga and wild-caught sturgeon are species that are often overfished. Caviar is a product of fish that can take many years to mature — and when they do, their eggs are harvested, which makes repopulation very difficult for the species. If you must have caviar, look for American domestic varietals that come from a more sustainable form of fishing.