1. Help restore the health of our little island home’s coastline. Did you know that the Bar Reef off the coast of Kalpitiya is the most bio-diverse coral formation in Sri Lanka, home to 156 species of coral and 283 species of fish? It has survived two major bleaching events, poor fishing practices, pollution, and natural disasters, and is still one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable natural resources. Homegrown organizations regularly put out calls on social media platforms for volunteers to participate in beach clean ups and will only take a couple of hours off your weekend. Gather your loved ones and make a day of cleaning up the beach while catching-up with friends and family!

2. Plastic pollution is a crucial environmental issue. Commit to reducing single-use plastics by reusing existing plastics as much as possible. Can you believe that humans have generated one billion elephants worth of plastic? If current trends continue, roughly 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste will be in landfills or the natural environment by 2050. By recycling plastic you help reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, energy use, levels of water pollution and air pollution from landfills. Invest in reusable products instead, and support small scale businesses and budding entrepreneurs!

3. Have you ever taken a moment to think of how far the food you consume has travelled to get to your kitchen? That journey – the distance between where something is grown to where it’s eaten – is what we mean when we talk about ‘food miles’. It is always better to reduce your food miles - and an excellent way you can do so is by buying local. Sri Lanka is known for its vibrant Sunday markets and fairs - so if you're wondering how you can reduce your food miles, you now have the perfect solution. Remember - you will not only reduce your food miles - but will support small business and sustainable agriculture, too!

4. Every drop counts! While the sweltering heat has got us taking multiple showers a day in Sri Lanka - water scarcity is a rising concern due to the effects of climate change. The National Water Board has notified the public that due to the extreme hot weather conditions prevalent in Sri Lanka, the water usage has significantly increased. This has led to either a low-pressure supply of water or a disruption of the water supply in the island. You can run your washing machine only on full loads, check your taps and faucets for leaks to minimize wastage, not have the water running when brushing your teeth, shaving or rinsing dishes and take shorter showers to help reduce water wastage.

5. Support local communities in their eco-tourism initiatives to protect and ensure the long-term maintenance of biodiversity, soil, water and other natural resources of their landscapes. The “Manewa Kanda” Eco Park is a biodiversity hotspot, and an archaeologically treasured attraction in Anuradhapura. It boasts four nature trails; the first is catered for children to be able to tackle, the second is an archaeological site trail which was already in existence; the third which is more arduous and recommended for those who like trekking; and the fourth path is recommended only for seasoned travelers who have experience in trekking. The park is run by a community-based organization made up predominantly of local women who play the roles of tour guides.

6. The fashion industry makes a sizable contribution to the global GHG emissions. Thrifting your threads or buying upcycled clothes reduces water wastage, textile pollution and emissions. An estimated 50 million tons of clothing is discarded every year, most of which are not biodegradeable. Did you know that synthetic materials like polyester and nylon can absorb chemicals into the soil, and if incinerated they can become carcinogenic? To avoid such dangers you can play your part by being a concious consumer. Sri Lanka has a growing number of shops that sell pre-loved clothes & reuse and repurpose clothing. Even if it’s a stained or damaged t-shirt, it can likely be recycled into something else - from housing insulation to even another T-shirt (click here to read more). As a conscious consumer, recycle, upcycle and reuse clothes and accessories for sustainable and ethical fashion that makes a statement!

7. From preparation work like land clearing, tilling, planting and the latter stages of production work including post-processing, to livestock production and home gardening women play a significant - yet often underestimated role in SriLanka's mainstay - the agricultural sector. The effects of climate change put the livelihoods and resources that they are depend on at risk. One way in which you can support Sri Lanka’s rural women battling climate change is to make a stop at the “Hela Bojun” or “Ammachchi” (in the North) outlets on your road trips. Executed in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka, these outlets serve traditional local delicacies made with healthy, fresh ingredients while also providing a sustainable livelihood for the women from the neighbouring communities.

8. Wondering how you can balance out your carbon footprint? You can start by carbon offsetting! But what exactly does this mean? Carbon offset schemes allow individuals and companies to invest in environmental projects around the world in order to balance out their own carbon footprints. You can begin your journey of Carbon Offsetting by calculating your carbon footprint and find ways in which you can offset your carbon emissions. Some of the ways in which you can contribute include making small donations to fund climate action around the world, planting trees or investing in clean energy based projects like eco-friendly biomass cookers such as the one introduced in partnership with the UNDP supported Biomass Energy Project 2022.

9. In Sri Lanka, waste management has become a central issue to environmental degradation. The issue brings to light a growing concern in Sri Lanka regarding the uncontrolled open dumping of waste and the threat it poses to the environment and health of communities. Currently, Sri Lanka produces 7,000 MT of waste daily, of which 62% of the country’s total waste is biodegradable. However, poor waste management potentially exposes waste handlers and the community at large to toxic effects, injuries and pollutes the environment. The solution can be found in the actions of individuals. Start small - seperate, segregate and sort your waste to make recycling a breeze. You can even start composting and making hassle-free fertilizer in your own backyard!

10. Buying from local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) reduces the fuel necessary when acquiring goods for our homes, businesses and bellies. Why buy food that travels thousands of food miles when we can buy fresh, local produce? Buying locally enables us to invest directly into our local economy and helps small businesses grow.

Click here to learn about Damayanthi's and Sunethra’s businesses!