Here are some simple but often overlooked things we are already doing to be more eco-friendly and have been doing for centuries. Others could really learn a few things from us on how to further prevent global warming.

1. Car pooling
Hmong people are known for riding in small cars with more passengers than seat belts. Can you just picture your entire family getting out of a Honda Civic?

2. Pack our own lunch in a bamboo container
Although this practice has been somewhat replaced with plastic containers, its important to note that the bamboo containers are a lot safer and culturally more appealing than plastic tupperware.

3. Park far away from destination and walk halfway there
Having a good sense of direction helps, and for Hmong people, it’s usually landmarks that are the giveaways for traveling (like that rock at the corner, or the tree stump on the side road). Who needs a gigantic paper map or a battery hungry gps system?

4. Fill up our own bottles with tap water
That’s what you call reusing!

5. Grow herbs, vegetables and fruits in our own backyard
Not only have our grandmas and ma’s been doing this, but we’ve sort of picked up on the trend…

6. Raise our own meat
If your neighbor has ever caught you trying to catch that chicken that escaped from its coop, then this applies to you! Just remember to keep them quiet and out of the neighbors bushes…

7. Prepare our own food from scratch
Killing your own cow emits less of a carbon footprint.  Just uh, don’t do it in your backyard or basement (read more about the impact of eating red meat here).

8. Hunt for our own meet
It’s a fact, Hmong people love hunting for deer and fishing for fish because we get to cook it for ourself and our family later.

9. Pass down old clothing to younger siblings
This is nothing new people! That shirt your little brother is wearing was something you got 6 years ago and it’s perfectly ok.

10. Use old clothes as rags for cleaning up
No more reason for buying tissue and napkins if you use the rags laying around the house to clean up and washup.