Go Green & Celebrate Nature With These 5 Apps
There are many ways to show the earth some love — from recycling and gardening to simply appreciating the nature around you. These apps can help with all of the above and more — paving the way for greener, more eco-aware living.
Why we love this
- Greenify your life in a range of areas, from energy consumption to food choices, with JouleBug’s tips and encouragement
- Earn badges and points for eco-friendly actions, and share your achievements with friends and in-app communities
- Participate in monthly “Eco Challenges” and join communities to take part in local challenges
Make eco-conscious choices with the help of JouleBug. Browse “Actions,” from using sustainable modes of transportation to choosing reusable water bottles and food containers, and tap “Buzz” to log your efforts. Learn about each action through impact stats, instructional videos, and more.
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Why we love this
- Reduce your carbon footprint by carpooling with Scoop — arrange convenient rideshares with neighbors and co-workers
- Easily make the most efficient plan with matches based on route speed, schedule, carpooler distance, and more
- See which of your co-workers are already on Scoop by entering your work email
Carpooling: It’s not just for school pick-ups anymore. Meet new people, split the cost of your commute, and say hello to the HOV lane by sharing rides when it works for you — morning, afternoon, or both. We appreciate the “ride home guarantee” and user photos and verification, but would like to see reviews on profiles.
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Why we love this
- Learn about the wildlife near you (and around the world) with insights from over 400,000 scientists and naturalists
- Snap a pic of a plant, animal, or insect and identify it with the help of the community and AI-informed suggestions
- Explore field guides curated by users, national parks, and museums on topics like “Birds of Gambia” and “Trees of Vermont”
Make “observations” in nature by taking photos of flora and fauna, then check out iNaturalist’s suggestions for which species you spotted (or add it manually). The AI could use some refining, but a vast and usually fast network of “identifiers” makes up for it. Join local groups, and go on “missions” to locate species others have observed in your area.
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Why we love this
- Buy and sell secondhand with Letgo, and curb some of the waste generated by constantly cycling through new goods
- Start selling in an instant: Upload a photo and pick a price (or mark as “free”) — you can add details later
- Filter your search by distance with the option to view hyperlocal sales only — great for car-free shoppers
Proof that “sustainable” doesn’t always mean “slow,” Letgo makes buying and selling speedy, from auto-naming untitled listings to offering pre-written questions you can send to sellers with a tap (unfortunately, it’s easy to send an accidental chat). We like that you can rate sellers and buyers, and have your account verified.
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Why we love this
- Cultivate your garden with the help of Garden Tags’ plant-loving community and task manager
- Learn about the plants you’re growing (or hope to grow) with a community-powered encyclopedia
- Share photos of your plants for identification advice, tips, and encouragement from other gardeners
Track your garden season by season, get inspired by a feed of gardeners’ posts, and create a plant wish list. Get helpful, user-generated stats — like plant pH, frost hardiness, and optimal soil type — plus a plant-care task list. Unfortunately, detailed care instructions and task reminders are Premium features currently available only in the UK.
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