One of the reasons, I started this blog is to share my know-how and inspire others to live sustainably without feeling like they have to make huge sacrifices across different areas of their life.
I believe that everyone can live more sustainably and make it affordable and fun at the same time.
What is sustainable living?
Sustainable living refers to a lifestyle focused on choices and behaviours that attempt to minimise the damage we have done to planet Earth. Through our choices, we can improve social well-being, environmental impact and economic growth for future generations.
In a nutshell, sustainable living means making mindful choices that are good for us, our families, society and the planet.
Why do we need to live more sustainably?
As stated on the WWF website:
Our planet can only produce a finite number of resources – from food, to water – and can only withstand a certain degree of greenhouse gas emissions in order to stay healthy. We only have one Earth and are utterly dependent on it for our survival and well-being.
My goal is to raise awareness of the impact we have and how we can use it to better our lives and the lives of others through everyday decisions. It starts with you and me because we all have an impact on our immediate environment and it further spreads across the community and collective.
And why do we need to start implementing steps towards sustainability now?
A report published in March 2022 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented evidence that the changing climate is already having a severe impact and the planet is headed for a series of ecological and humanitarian catastrophes caused by human behaviours.
Just some of the highlights in the report mention:
Human-induced climate change, including more frequent and intense extreme events, has caused widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people, beyond natural climate variability. (…)
Climate change including increases in frequency and intensity of extremes have reduced food and water security, hindering efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals.
Widespread, pervasive impacts to ecosystems, people, settlements, and infrastructure have resulted from observed increases in the frequency and intensity of climate and weather extremes, including hot extremes on land and in the ocean, heavy precipitation events, drought and fire weather.
If this doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will.
How can you live more sustainably?
It takes simple steps to make a big difference. Start wherever your resources allow you to and gradually introduce new ways to be more sustainable at home and your immediate environment.
Reduce your consumption
Overproduction generates waste. Waste contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gases that are linked to climate change.
By changing how we consume and how much we consume we directly impact the production levels.
Change your consumption habits
Introduce sustainable replacements at your home. Starting with what you consume. Look at products and packaging that are sustainably produced, sourced and packaged using biodegradable materials, or come with no packaging at all.
When it comes to your body care products, minimise products that use toxic ingredients and chemicals. The same goes for cleaning products. You will do yourself and the planet a favour.
Reduce your waste
There is a lot of talk about zero-waste living and there’s a wealth of information about it written by the one and only Bea Johnson. While it might be difficult to go zero-waste at first, you can try reducing your waste by reusing packaging.
Give your belongings a second life
See how you can reuse products that no longer serve their purpose. Can you repurpose them? Or give them to someone who needs them? Or turn them into something new?
Give your creativity an outlet and turn it into a master upcycler.
Is it difficult to make your choices more sustainable?
Though it might seem overwhelming at first, it is not that hard at all! With a lot of talk about the environmental and social impact, a lot more brands are coming forward to tackle the issue and make the world a better place. Moreover, advocates and governments and putting pressure on existing companies and organisations that cause distress to the planet by enforcing change.
You don’t need to do it all at once and you can start with small steps. Whether it’s changing a habit, making one improvement to your home or simply ditching the car. And remember – better done than never.
It’s all about progress, not perfection.
