6 Climate Change Countermeasures You Can Take in an Apartment | SDGs Living Starting Today

There are climate change countermeasures that you can take precisely because you live in an apartment.

Reduce "invisible emissions" and organize your life just by making adjustments to electricity, water, and shopping.

I have compiled some tips for practicing SDGs that you can start today.

When you hear "climate change countermeasures," doesn't it feel like a big topic?

Solar power generation, electric vehicles, introducing renewable energy... these are high hurdles for apartment living.

I thought so too.

But one day, I was surprised when I looked at my electricity bill statement.

There was about a 10% difference in usage between a "month where I did nothing" and a "month where I was conscious of it."

In other words, just a "little bit of effort" is actually quite effective.

In this article, I will introduce 7 climate change countermeasures you can take in an apartment along with an SDGs perspective.

Why not try them one by one starting today? 🌱

※ For those interested in attracting traffic to note or creating note articles using ChatGPT. I have summarized tips that you can start without strain in an easy-to-understand way 👇

1. Review energy from your "contract"

Electricity accounts for about 50% of a household's CO₂ emissions.

In other words, "how you choose your electricity" is the very first step.

🔹 Choose an electric power company with a high renewable energy ratio

In recent years, even individuals can choose electricity "derived from renewable energy."

Even major electric power companies offer "renewable energy plans," and the procedures can be completed online.

🔹 Reduce standby power

Use smart plugs or power strips with switches to turn devices on and off all at once.

You can manage power without unplugging, which can also save you about 1,000 to 2,000 yen per year.

🔹 Switch to LED lighting

Simply switching from incandescent bulbs to LEDs reduces power consumption by about 75%.

If you can propose switching the lighting in shared hallways to LEDs, you can contribute to reducing emissions for the entire building.

2. Control room temperature with "windows and curtains"

Rather than how you use your air conditioner, reducing heat transfer is the key to success.

• Use heat-shielding curtains in summer and thermal curtains in winter

• Shut out cold or warm air with window gap tape

• Soften the sunlight with a green curtain on your balcony

Just a 2°C change in perceived temperature allows you to adjust your air conditioner setting by ±1°C, resulting in about 10% energy savings.

The secret to keeping it up is not "enduring the set temperature," but "improving your environment."

3. "Water and waste" can change significantly with a small investment

The bathroom and kitchen are "unconscious waste zones."

Water-saving showerheads and aerators can be installed for around 3,000 yen and save you several thousand yen annually.

Also, make "draining water" from food waste a habit.

Reducing the weight saves on trash bag costs and is also great for odor control.

Small changes also lead to "peace of mind."

4. Reduce emissions through "shopping and transportation"

Climate change measures can also be advanced through "ways to avoid buying."

• Bulk buying + shopping on foot or by bicycle

• Choose refillable products to reduce plastic waste

• Use delivery boxes or drop-off services to reduce redeliveries

The "power to choose products" becomes the "power to choose the environment."

This is directly linked to SDG Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

5. Spreading SDGs from "Shared Spaces"

The strength of an apartment is that "you have neighbors."

Energy conservation in common areas can sometimes have 10 times the impact of individual efforts.

• Propose LED lighting or solar power installation to the management association

• Hold a "power-saving contest" or "waste reduction ranking" on the bulletin board

• Create a "green curtain" on your balcony or in a shared flower bed

One person's proposal can move the entire building.

Let's cultivate a "culture of enjoying" climate change measures from a small community.

6. Creating "mechanisms" to keep it going

When you turn actions into "habits," climate measures will continue.

• Graph your monthly electricity and gas usage

• Set an "energy-saving challenge" with your family (e.g., 5% reduction in usage per month)

• Buy a "reward" with the money saved (such as coffee beans or houseplants)

Quantification and small rewards provide the motivation to continue.

Not "for the sake of the Earth," but "because it makes my life more comfortable"—this order is important.

⬇️ Check this out too

🌏 Summary | "Climate Action" Starting from Your Apartment

Finally, here are 3 steps you can take starting today.

This alone will reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 150kg per year.

You might think, "What can one person do?" but one person's action spreads like ripples.

From your room, to the building, to the neighborhood. Your actions will move the next person.

If you liked this article even a little, I would be very happy if you could "Like," "Comment," or "Follow"!
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(This article was created based on "AI." Please note that it may contain errors or inaccurate information.)

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