Want to be more eco-friendly? Try these apps

It’s very easy to see technology as something that is more damaging to the environment than actually helping it. Contrary to that belief, technology can help us monitor our consumption and put systems in place that allow us to rectify the current situation. From recycling, to plastic consumption, imagine knowing exactly what your impact is on the environment just by looking at your phone? Now you can with these mobile apps.

1. #Climate

#Climate (hashtag climate) is an app created to give climate change influencers more power to reach followers and amplify their voices. When you download the app, you are asked to make a few selections about what sort of environmental news, articles and updates you’d like to receive – and how often – directly from the world’s top eco-organisations. The app then creates a magazine or news bulletin that you are able to share across your networks. It’s a great way to keep abreast of the latest developments in the world of environmental news and share it within your circles.

2. Shop Ethical!

If you consider yourself an eco-warrior, it’s important to be able to know the ethics of the companies you buy products from. Shop Ethical! is a great way to do that. It gives you the low-down on the companies behind common supermarket products and their environmental ethics. The app has access to over 4,000 products and the companies behind them. Although it doesn’t have any local companies, it still gives you knowledge of international brands you might consume.

3. Go Green

We’ve heard the saying “Go Green” but how many people actually re-arrange their lifestyles to become more environmentally friendly? Go Green is an app with info, updates, and tips for going green. The app gives you a green tip every time you open it and the more tips you receive and use, the higher your green status goes.

4. Oroeco

For those who enjoy a more gaming environment on their mobile phones, Oroeco might be the app for you. It logs the user’s inputs to measure environmental impact through dozens of daily activities, from shopping and eating to traveling and working out. This then gives users an easy way to track things like day-to-day carbon emissions and water usage. It also helps users collaborate with and challenge groups of friends and contacts to work on similar goals/targets and rewards them with points and achievement badges.

5. EarthNow

The EarthNow app is next-level monitoring of the earth and planetary changes developed and built by NASA. It allows users to visually and regularly keep updated with what is unfolding across the globe via satellite imagery. EarthNow harnesses data from these satellites on variables such as surface air temperature, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, water vapor, sea level variations and even gravity. Users are able to see beautifully coloured overlays across a detailed 3D model of the planet.

If you have a smartphone, there is no room for excuses when it comes to becoming more environmentally conscious.