10 Ways to Support Sustainable Communities During COVID-19

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, in this new age of social distancing and sheltering in place, we’re all having to figure out new ways to live.

At a time when many of us feel like we’re just trying to make it from one day to the next, it’s tempting to want to shelve all future concerns and think solely about our most immediate needs. Right now, for just about all of us, that means making sure close friends and family members stay safe and healthy. Many of us are also still figuring out how to juggle the demands of work and parenting while kids are home from school.

Yet, while the COVID-19 pandemic remains urgent, we can’t afford to overlook the continuing importance of other priorities like protecting our environment and maintaining sustainable communities. Though not always immediately apparent, especially during a pandemic, the benefits of supporting the environment are clear. For one thing, coordinated, thoughtful action to protect our environment now will reduce our vulnerability to epidemics like the novel coronavirus in the future.

To read about why the COVID-19 pandemic should have all of us concerned about climate change, check out our earlier blog post here.

This coming Wednesday, April 22nd, is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. As such, there’s no better time than this week to recommit to long-term sustainability goals and think about how our support for the environment must now evolve in light of present circumstances.

So here are ten ways to support sustainability in Wake County while stuck at home.

Calculate your personal carbon footprint. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or reduce the size of your carbon footprint, gathering data to determine your starting baseline is an important first step to change. So before making any major changes to your lifestyle to try to help the environment, measure your personal carbon footprint here.
Replace car travel with bicycle rides and walks. Transportation is the largest source of planet-warming greenhouse gases in the United States today, and most of those emissions come from driving in and around our cities. Reduce fossil fuel consumption and stay active by doing more bicycling and walking in and around your neighborhood. In Wake County, we’re fortunate to have access to over 100 miles of greenway trails. Just make sure to maintain proper social distancing if you if you choose to bike or walk with others.
Start composting your food waste. Decrease waste and further limit your personal emissions by starting your own compost pile. When sealed inside landfills, food waste produces methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting is better for our climate because, with just a little work, it can reduce methane levels. Composting is also better for our soil and our health, because it helps create nutrients that our plants and gardens need to grow.
Reduce home energy consumption. While you’re spending extra time at home, try to remain conscious of how much energy you’re using. Here are a few tips for reducing your home energy consumption:
1. Turn off lights when you leave rooms.
2. Power down computers, laptops, and tablets after work and virtual meetings.
3. Run washing machines and dishwashers during non-peak hours, ideally early in the morning or overnight.
4. Open windows to get fresh air instead of running the air conditioner.
5. Read more books and stream fewer videos.
6. Adopt a plant-based diet one day a week.
Grow your own garden. April is National Garden Month, a time for communities, organizations, and individuals nationwide to celebrate the many benefits of growing our own healthy, natural food. Not only is gardening one of the simplest hobbies around, it’s also a great way to support sustainability. When you grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you’ll be able to minimize trips to the grocery store, which means less gasoline usage. In the present age of social distancing, gardening is also a great way to stay active and keep kids meaningfully engaged in something fun and educational while home from school.
Support local businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of a vibrant community. But recent events have had a profoundly negative impact on local businesses, especially those in the hospitality industry. But while restaurants are closed to dine-in services, you can still support your favorite local businesses by purchasing gift cards and getting take-out through curb-side pick-up. After a day spent working in your garden, you might even consider grabbing take-out from one of your favorite local restaurants and enjoying an evening picnic outside. For more information about how to support local businesses, and to see a list of businesses offering takeout and curb-side pick-up, check out this helpful resource from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.
Support local nonprofits. Local nonprofits are also feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, as donors tighten their wallets and funding sources dry up. You can support local nonprofits working on COVID-19 relief or other issues by making a financial donation or by volunteering your time. For some help in getting started, see our earlier post about resources for helping your community during the pandemic.
Check in on neighbors and offer help. Although grocery stores have remained open throughout the pandemic, some states, including North Carolina, have implemented rules limiting the number of customers allowed inside stores at any one time. In light of this, coordinating trips to the grocery store with friends, family, and neighbors (especially those who are elderly and at elevated risk) is a great idea. Not only will you help encourage social distancing, you’ll also reduce gas consumption and carbon emissions. A win-win!
Stay engaged virtually with local leaders and government. Sustainable communities have always depended critically on residents speaking up and making their voices heard. That remains true today, even though the process of citizen engagement will look a little different for the foreseeable future. You can stay engaged with local government by watching virtual council meetings, submitting public comments electronically, and participating in public input surveys for upcoming projects.
Spread the word about sustainability. Finally, help us spread the word about the importance of supporting sustainable communities in Wake County by sharing this post with your friends and family on social media. And when you do, make sure to use the hashtag #wakeup2goodgrowth!

WakeUP’s Good Growth Series

All throughout the spring, WakeUP is organizing a campaign centered around Good Growth.

For the next few weeks, we’ll provide you with useful tips, resources, and activities about all things related to outdoor stewardship — from gardening, composting, and managing stormwater to environmental education and advocacy.

Join in the Good Growth Fun!

Follow along and participate in our Good Growth activities this Spring by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!

And if you like what we’re doing here at WakeUP Wake County, please consider supporting us. Your contributions matter more now than ever!

You can support WakeUP by signing up to become a volunteer or by joining one of our committees, such as our Transportation, Land Use, & Housing Committee or our NEW Climate Change Committee.

You can also click here to become a sustaining member, and click here to make a one-time donation.