The Conversation

Top Eco-Friendly and Nature Apps to Help You Lead a Happier, More Sustainable Lifestyle

Hey there, nature lovers and sustainability champions! Looking to make your smartphone a powerful ally in your quest for a greener lifestyle? We've got you covered. 

At Meaningful Planet, we're all about harnessing technology to create positive environmental change. So, we've rounded up some of the best eco-friendly and nature apps that'll help you explore, learn, reduce your carbon footprint, and actively contribute to environmental causes. Let's dive in!

Best Apps for Exploring Nature in the UK

  1. iNaturalist 

Platform: App Store & Play Store
Price: Free 

Want to turn your nature walks into citizen science adventures? iNaturalist is your go-to app. Snap photos of plants and animals you encounter, and a community of nature enthusiasts and experts will help identify them. It's like having a naturalist in your pocket!

  1. OS Maps 

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free, but with in-app purchases (subscriptions start at £23.99/year) 

The Ordnance Survey's official app is a must-have for any serious hiker or nature explorer in the UK. With detailed maps, route planning, and augmented reality features, you'll never get lost on your outdoor adventures again.

  1. National Trust 

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free (but requires National Trust membership for full access) 

Discover over 500 National Trust properties and natural wonders across the UK. The app offers audio guides, walking trails, and event listings to help you make the most of your visits to these stunning locations.

Best Apps for Helping You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

  1. Giki Zero

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free, with a Pro version available (£4.99/month or £40/year) 

This nifty app helps you understand and reduce your carbon footprint. Set personal goals, track your progress, and get tailored advice on how to live more sustainably. It's like having a personal eco-coach.

  1. Too Good To Go 

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free (you only pay for the food you purchase) 

Join the fight against food waste with this app. It connects you with local restaurants and shops offering surplus food at discounted prices. Save money and save the planet – what's not to love?

  1. Olio Platform

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free 

Another gem in the fight against waste, Olio lets you share surplus food and household items with your neighbours. It's a great way to reduce waste and build community at the same time.

Best Apps for Helping You Learn More About Nature and Plants

  1. PlantNet 

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free, with optional donations 

Curious about that mystery plant in your garden? PlantNet uses image recognition to identify plants from your photos. It's like Shazam for plants!

  1. British Trees 

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free


Developed by the Woodland Trust, this app is your pocket guide to identifying trees native to the UK. With detailed descriptions, photos, and even tree-related folklore, you'll become a tree expert in no time.

  1. Merlin Bird ID

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free
 

For the bird enthusiasts out there, Merlin Bird ID is a fantastic tool for identifying birds by sight or sound. It's particularly good for UK species and offers guided bird ID and sound recognition features.

Best Apps for Actively Contributing to the Environment in the UK (and Beyond)

  1. Zooniverse 

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free 

Fancy being a citizen scientist from your sofa? Zooniverse lets you contribute to real scientific research projects, many of which focus on environmental and wildlife conservation. From counting penguins to transcribing old weather records, there's a project for everyone.

  1. Open Litter Map 

Platform: Web-based (mobile-friendly)
Price: Free 

Help map and monitor litter in your local area with this app. Your data contributes to a global database, helping researchers and policymakers understand and tackle the litter problem.

  1. Ecosia

    Platform: App Store and Play Store  (as a browser app)
    Price: Free


    Not strictly an app, but Ecosia is a search engine that plants trees with its ad revenue. By simply switching your default search engine, you can help plant trees around the world. They've planted over 150 million trees so far!

  1. Meaningful Planet (That's us!) 

Platform: App Store and Play Store
Price: Free 

Okay, we might be a bit biased, but we couldn't resist mentioning our own app. While we're primarily a mobile network provider, our app lets you track the positive environmental impact you're making through your mobile plan. Watch as your daily phone usage translates into support for UK nature restoration projects!

How we can Use Technology to help Create a Greener Future

As we've seen, there's a wealth of apps out there to help us lead more eco-friendly lives and connect with nature. But why is this so important? In today's world, where climate change and environmental degradation are pressing issues, every action we take matters. By using these apps, we're not just making our lives easier or more interesting – we're actively contributing to a more sustainable future. Whether it's reducing our carbon footprint, learning about local wildlife, or participating in citizen science projects, these small actions add up to make a big difference.

At Meaningful Planet, we believe that technology can be a powerful force for good when it comes to environmental conservation. That's why we've created a mobile network that aligns with these values. When you choose Meaningful Planet as your mobile provider, you're not just getting top-notch coverage and great rates – you're directly supporting UK nature restoration projects with every call, text, and bit of data you use. Our app lets you track your personal impact in real-time, so you can see exactly how your mobile usage is helping to restore habitats, protect wildlife, and combat climate change. Plus, with our commitment to transparent pricing and excellent customer service, you can feel good about every aspect of your mobile experience.

So why not take the next step in your eco-friendly journey? Download some of these fantastic apps, and consider switching to Meaningful Planet for your mobile needs. Together, we can harness the power of technology to create a meaningful impact on our planet, one app, one call, one text at a time. Let's make every digital action count towards a greener, more sustainable future!