Energy
Switching to a ‘real’ green electricity provider
1
(0) no special tariff, (1) eco from the conventional provider, (2) eco from the local provider (3) with a pure green electricity provider
(0) no special tariff, (1) eco from the conventional provider, (2) eco from the local provider (3) with a pure green electricity provider
Your country most likely has real green electricity providers, as they purchase or implement the appropriate capacities of green electricity for each customer. The other electricity providers only offer an electricity mix. The share of green electricity is sold more expensive as an eco-tariff to some customers, while the other customers theoretically only receive the shares of gas, coal, etc.
http://www.imodeler.info/ro?key=CF8Gsu47BnYHLi5NHUWXKVA
0.44
Housing, Buildings
Moderate living space (47 sqm/person)
3
(0) more than 47 sqm/person, (1) between 47 and 40, (2) between 40 and 30, (3) for less than 30
(0) more than 47 sqm/person, (1) between 47 and 40, (2) between 40 and 30, (3) for less than 30
The area that we need to live means the area that is sealed, the building material that is needed, and the space that needs to be heated - and all this against the background of social justice. When more people live in the household, they share rooms such as kitchen, living room or bathroom. In fact, the per capita area is constantly increasing because more older people live alone and longer in large houses and because there are more single households. Not everyone can now rebuild or move out, but those who take these steps can be proud to reduce the living space.
2.11
Intelligent ventilation
0
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) 100% of the times in the heating season
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) 100% of the times in the heating season
Intelligent ventilation does not mean too late and not too long. It is too late when we get tired when the air is used up, get a headache and the humidity becomes too high. It is too long when the air has already been replaced and is cool, but we also ventilate the materials (walls, furniture) even longer.
Heat ultimately means that things or air vibrate. When the air is exchanged, but the objects and walls are still vibrating, the fresh air is quickly heated. Even if the walls get cold, mold can form on them and we need expensive heating energy to make everything vibrate again.
By the way, CO2 measuring devices help to ventilate in time and not for too long. However, these should not be a useless gadget, but perhaps used for practice one after the other in the rooms and gladly lent. A nice game is the competition, how good the sense of the people in the room is to ventilate in time and not too long.
0.23
Nutrition
Vegan days
1
(0) none per week, (1) 1-3, (2) 4-6, (3) 7 days a week
(0) none per week, (1) 1-3, (2) 4-6, (3) 7 days a week
Vegan means refraining from fish, meat, milk, cheese and other animal foods. Unthinkable for many people, on the one hand because of the taste, and on the other hand because they consider it unhealthy.
To the taste, it can be said: Among the extremely diverse vegan alternatives, something certainly tastes just as good or even better. We just have to try it - from vegan cheese to egg salad to burgers. Many celebrities and athletes are vegan. Vegan is booming.
Regarding health, it must be said: Our early ancestors eat healthier than we eat today. There was mixed food with only little meat and fish and also little grain and instead more legumes. If you eat a vegan diet, you have to pay attention to two nutrients: vitamin B12 and unsaturated omega 3 fatty acids. B12 can be bought for sucking (or as an additive in foods that are no longer called organic). Omega 3 fatty acids are available in linseed and algae oil. After a few months vegan, a blood test can show whether there are deficiency symptoms. As a rule, vegans eat healthier and are fitter than others.
What else does it bring: In addition to ethical reasons (keeping and killing animals), vegans help to prevent the deforestation of forests, because most areas in the world need the feed. In fact, we will not be able to feed the growing world population in the way we Germans. Vegans also prevent greenhouse gases from the methane emissions of cows, save enormous amounts of drinking water and prevent the pollution of soils, groundwater and waters.
4.44
Vegetarian days
3
(0) none per week, (1) 1-3, (2) 4-6, (3) 7 days a week
(0) none per week, (1) 1-3, (2) 4-6, (3) 7 days a week
Unlike the vegan diet, a vegetarian diet can also include milk, cheese or eggs. Vegetarian days are healthy, mean less animal husbandry and thus less consumption of land and water.
People in the industrialized world consume more than three times more animal products, which according to the EAT-Lancet Commission would be healthy for us and the planet. We don't have to become vegans or vegetarians right away, but maybe just flexitarians.
3.01
Legumes
1
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) 100% of the otherwise mostly cereal products
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) 100% of the otherwise mostly cereal products
Legumes are not only an alternative source of vegetable proter to animal products, but also extremely important for world nutrition. They bind nitrogen from the air in the soil and can achieve just as high yields in organic farming as in industrial agriculture. So we have to cut down fewer forests.
In addition, legumes are healthier than cereals. Harari describes in Sapiens how we could probably get much older if we didn't eat so much cereal products.
After all, legumes are important for bees and biodiversity. Lupine, for example, also grows in northern Germany and can be used for meat substitutes, yogurt, coffee substitutes, ice cream or even noodles.
0.42
Tap water
2
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) 100% instead of purchased mineral water or soft drinks
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) 100% instead of purchased mineral water or soft drinks
Fortunately, tap water has long been a trend. There are drinking water dispensers in schools and the students have their drinking bottles with them, and managers also bring their drinking bottles to workshops. Many children do not even get used to the unhealthy sugar drinks.
Tap water is more strictly controlled than bottled drinks and saves a lot of energy and packaging.
Even with motorhomes or boats or in places with the smell of chlorine in the water, we can save a lot of money, energy and packaging through good and regularly exchanged filters.
1.30
Avoidance of food waste
1
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) I save or avoid 100% of the food to be thrown away
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) I save or avoid 100% of the food to be thrown away
Food is wasted from the field to the factories and transport routes to the throw away by us, the restaurants and the supermarkets. This ultimately means that more areas are needed for cultivation and thus forests are cut down and biodiversity is endangered with sprays and fertilizers.
We can shop more specifically, throw away goods not only because of the best before date, save food in the household (e.g. freeze bananas or make durable spreads and soups from leftover vegetables yourself), save specifically rescued food (e.g. too small or wrinkled goods) and also donate leftover food in many places, e.g. to the food banks.
0.83
Mobility
Renunciation of own car/motorcycle
3
(0) none, (1) less than half, (2) at least half, (3) all those who have a driver's license waive
(0) none, (1) less than half, (2) at least half, (3) all those who have a driver's license waive
Not having your own car, although there would be a driver's license, means not only saving money, but also raw materials, parking space and a lot of energy.
In addition to flexibility and necessity in rural areas, car ownership means above all status, distinction and attribution (the infamous "phallus substitute with roaring sound). Alternatives are the bicycle, public transport and car sharing.
For young people, the renunciation also means solidarity with those who cannot afford mopeds - as difficult as it is.
Most households have never calculated the actual costs of their car ownership - from the purchase to taxes and insurance to energy and wear https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/05/one-less-car-how-this-country-is-encouraging-green-mobility/
2.33
Waiver of air travel
3
(0) more than one per year, (1) one per year, (2) one every few years, (3) none or less often than every 5 years
(0) more than one per year, (1) one per year, (2) one every few years, (3) none or less often than every 5 years
Flying is a great experience for most people like experiencing distant places. Flying short distances should rightly lead to 'flight shame' - some countries are planning to ban domestic flights completely.
The problem with flying is, on the one hand, that we travel a lot of kilometers, even if the energy requirement per kilometer and person is not so high. On the other hand, greenhouse gases are transported directly to the heights where they harm us.
So we should only use the plane for rare long-distance trips and then rather stay longer in the places. Many, on the other hand, fly several times a year, partly within Europe - some even to sustainability conferences or just to spontaneously escape the harsh weather in Germany. Unfortunately, flying is even subsidized and is often cheaper than train or car.
0.83
Waiver of parental taxi
0
(0) no waiver, (1) most trips continue, (2) the fewest trips, (3) no trips with parent taxi
(0) no waiver, (1) most trips continue, (2) the fewest trips, (3) no trips with parent taxi
Parent taxis is the name for parents who drive their children to school and to numerous other events by car. There are generally alternatives to school, not always to other activities (sports club, music school, ....). In front of the schools, these parent taxis are a real danger for the other children and annoying for the school buses.
It is simply ruthless towards the other students.
Parents should at least organize carpools for leisure events.
0.23
Bicycle instead of car
3
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) always
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) always
No question - leaving the car and taking the bike is a proud feeling and healthy. If you don't want to exhaust yourself (for example, on the way to work), you can consider an e-bike. If you have a lot to transport, a cargo bike. Often we can also share a cargo bike with others. And if you shy away from bad weather, you will find great cycling clothing today, which completely refutes the argument.
0.55
Carpooling
0
(0) always drive individually, (1) every now and then, (2) mostly, (3) basically, if possible, driving with others
(0) always drive individually, (1) every now and then, (2) mostly, (3) basically, if possible, driving with others
Many routes and times are not served by public transport. It is often worthwhile to drive in the car together with others. Even if the car is left at home and the times have to be adjusted, it can make us proud to do the right thing with a view to a better world.
In addition to carpooling in the circle of acquaintances, there are also portals that organize carpooling - often also for longer trips.
0.39
Garbage
Separate garbage consistently
2
(0) not at all, (1) often, (2) mostly, (3) always, even on the go
(0) not at all, (1) often, (2) mostly, (3) always, even on the go
Consistently separating waste, including green waste, glass and paper, is not as self-evident as can be assumed. Many make little effort here and don't really know what belongs in which bin. But also special waste, such as batteries, incandescent lamps, electrical appliances, etc. must be disposed of properly.
0.65
Paperless office/media
2
(0) not at all, (1) some, (2) most, (3) all only digital.
(0) not at all, (1) some, (2) most, (3) all only digital.
Saving paper helps to protect forests - recycling paper also ultimately means more demand for fresh pulp from trees.
We don't even need to print many things in the first place, but can save them on devices that we already have. Banks and insurance companies offer to carry out the correspondence purely electronically and to save a lot of paper.
Of course, there is also a big question as to whether we do not consume books and magazines better digitally. Well, if we already have the devices anyway, downloading and saving are the better alternative for the environment. If we buy extra devices and then hardly use them, the ecological footprint of the devices is greater than that of the saved paper. By the way, the winner is the library/lend library.
But books are also a nice experience and if we know what's in them, also a nice decoration for our apartments. Magazines, on the other hand, are not very timeless, and if we need articles later, the online search is easier before.
0.61
Land use
Renunciation of road salt
1
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) always
(0) not at all, (1) less than 50%, (2) more than 50%, (3) always
Road salt is convenient and safe, but a considerable burden for pets, the trees and the surface water. Replacing this with split means more effort, but it's worth it.
0.24
Social
Volunteering
3
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) much, (3) maximum
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) much, (3) maximum
Volunteering, whether at the fire brigade, in the sports club or the help in the neighborhood, is enormously important for togetherness and society.
0.74
Active political participation
3
(0) doesn't care me, (1) in social media, (2) on demos, (3) help organize your own activities
(0) doesn't care me, (1) in social media, (2) on demos, (3) help organize your own activities
We experience what happens all over the world when the successful depend on large parts of society: radical currents get influx, the climate catastrophe is denied, hatred against foreigners but also against their own politicians is stoked.
Some "ego trolls" who want to punch through their interests are deliberately playing with such a breeding ground when, for example, conservative parties speak of ideology with the progressive parties or an automobile boss is against vaccination in order not to have to close his works, or others complain against wind power and e-mobility and pro-nuclear power without any expertise. Dissatisfied citizens take this up as 'troll lemmings', feel they belong to the common enemy images and complain on social media against everything that means change towards future viability. It is the fight for so-called memes and no longer, as in the past, solely for sovereignty of interpretation, especially since the experts agree on most questions.
As uncomfortable as it is, we should therefore stand against it in social media and not wave off in frustration. In our environment, we can also get together with others and talk about politics or the design of togetherness - even if many do not want to talk about politics privately at all, because they have an opinion, but not the feeling that they can support it themselves. For example, there is the Open Society Day and regionally certainly many other initiatives. Politicians can motivate, join a party, go to public council meetings, and participate in demonstrations. Having been to Fridays for Future once is an experience! Companies can show attitude! Ideology is not the opinion of the other, but what is not scientifically proven robustly (i.e. more than a single study).
0.96
Donations
1
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) regularly and linked to one's own income
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) regularly and linked to one's own income
We afford much of what we afford, because others do it too. What we then have and do goes far beyond what we need to be happy.
Therefore, every euro donated on our side is first of all a waiver of consumption. Whether the donated money simply leads to consumption elsewhere can be questioned. What does the youth fire brigade do with the donations, what Greenpeace, what plan Germany, what the riff reporters, etc.? A useful flashing angle is to be considered here so-called sources and sinks. The box of beer is gone for now, a sink. But if it leads to more people wanting to get involved in the youth fire brigade, it is a source of more good.
However, many donations are also to be questioned - for example, when it comes to the scandals behind the clothing donations or some organizations spend the most money on administration. However, with a little research and taking into account donation seals, we find great opportunities.
By the way, it is also popular not to give your own family gifts in kind, but very concrete donations such as hygiene articles or goats in developing countries. Among other things, Plan-Germany offers this. If then your own kids are proud not to get even more Zeuchs themselves, but to be able to tell their friends what good they have done in the world with their Christmas gift, then we are already in a better world.
The bar for the willingness to donate can be one's own prosperity, which the linked online calculator calculates. If you have more than your environment, you should definitely consider donating more.
8.00
Clothes
Renunciation of leather
3
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
Vegan shoes and belts are no longer distinguishable from their leather variants. And who pays attention to the fact that the tanning processes do not allow heavy metals to enter the environment or that the leather is certified accordingly?
We should be careful with some plastics, such as PVC with plasticizers, which are also not good for the environment.
0.59
Other Consumption
Used or long-lived furniture
3
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
Many furniture cannot stand being moved or even disassembled and reassembled. They are primarily cheap and the business model is that after a few years we want to buy new furniture. Looking at how valuable the furniture is and then being able to repair it takes us a whole lot further on the way to a better world. It is also amazing what good pieces there are on the used market.
1.30
Waiver of leaf vacuums and blowers
3
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
Leaf vacuums and blowsers are even worse than the idea of mowing small lawns with a large lawn mowing tractor at all and then for hours. Boys with toys. The leaf vacuums and blowers emit noise and ultrafine particles and harm the soil organisms more than rakes or brooms.
0.11
Borrow (neighbors, DIY store, ...), Lend
2
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
Precisely because devices are so inexpensive, we tend to buy all kinds of devices ourselves and not borrow them, whether from the neighbors or from the tool rental company. The large DIY stores now all offer a rental service.
0.65
Renunciation of fireworks and firecrackers
3
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
Firecrackers and fireworks are a problem in every respect: for the animal world, the environment and the people who produce them. The ultrafine particles pollution is horrendous. And all this only because people (mostly men) hope for attention and admiration about this.
0.25
Avoid returns in online trading
3
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
(0) not at all, (1) sometimes, (2) often, (3) basically
Returns have become a big problem - many returns are simply burned because the logistics are more expensive than the goods. Especially with clothing, we should research for detailed size specifications so that the clothing also fits. Simply ordering three sizes and of course sending two back is a waste of energy and resources. But other products would not have to be returned if we researched better beforehand whether they meet our expectations.
0.32