How Minor Adjustments Lead to Major Sustainability
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.”- Mahatma Gandhi.
Sustainable living is a lifestyle that encourages us to reduce our carbon footprint and manage our daily activities, so they do not harm the environment. It reminds us to adopt thoughtful choices in our daily lives. Sustainability also teaches us to fulfill our human needs without compromising future generations’ ability to do the same.
The concept of sustainable living derives from the definition of sustainable development, first introduced in the 1980s in the Brundtland Commission's report "Our Common Future."
As climate change and biodiversity loss are constantly threatening us, we should take the term ‘Sustainable Living’ seriously due to these reasons;
Creating healthier environments for land animals
Creating healthier environments for aquatic animals in waterways and oceans
Improving air quality.
Addressing climate change
Reducing poverty and world hunger
Improving education standards and boosting economic growth
Sustainability often seems like a huge, daunting idea, but it really comes down to small, everyday choices. Instead of trying to change everything at once, we can start with manageable and sustainable habits gradually to collectively make a significant impact on the environment. Here are a few of the many ways that anyone can live more sustainably.
1. Remembering the mantra- RRR: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – these three "R"s are a key part of sustainable living because they help decrease the amount of waste we need to dispose of.
The first “R” suggests we reduce the waste we generate. It is possible if we buy only what we need, choose products with minimal packaging, and look for items that have a chance to be reused in the future.
The second "R" is about using things again instead of throwing them away. Here are some ideas:
Fill up a water bottle at home instead of buying a new one.
Fix and update our computer instead of buying a new one.
Stop using plastic bags and use bags that we can use again and again instead.
The third "R" is about making sure you sort out the things that can be recycled. When you recycle something, it gets turned into something new instead of being thrown away. This is a great way to cut down on waste and help take care of the planet.
Here we can do: putting glass bottles and jars in the recycling bin instead of throwing them in the rubbish, sorting out old newspapers and cardboard boxes so they can be made into new paper, recycling old plastic bottles and containers instead of throwing them away, taking old cans and tins to a recycling point so they can be melted down and used again.
2. Conserving Energy: We can start saving energy at home so that it benefits the whole planet. It can also help us save money on our bills. Here are some ways to do it:
Switch to appliances and light bulbs that use less energy.
Heat and cool our home in a smarter and more sustainable way
Unplug things like TVs and chargers when they are not in use.
3. Switching to Renewable Energy Sources: We can install solar panels, biogas plants in our houses, and make our households less reliant on fossil fuels. By doing so, we will not only opt for a clean energy source but will also help in making sure that there is a dependable energy source for future generations.
4. Adopting a Sustainable Diet: A sustainable diet is a way of eating that is good for us as well as good for the planet. It means choosing foods that are affordable and at the same time harmless to the environment.
Here is what a sustainable diet looks like:
It helps protect nature, animals, and plants.
It is healthy and safe to eat.
It is affordable and easy to get
It respects different food cultures around the world.
It makes good use of natural resources like water and land.
This kind of diet is not just good for us today, but also helps make sure that people in the future will have enough food to eat.
5. Using Eco- friendly transportation: Instead of relying totally on vehicles run by fossil fuel, we should opt for the Eco- Friendly options like walking (in short distances), cycling, etc. These activities are good for our health, make streets quieter, and give people more space to enjoy public areas.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are also excellent alternatives to traditional vehicles.
Car pooling with co-workers or neighbours is another smart way to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.
6. Saving Water: NASA has used satellites to track the amount of fresh water on Earth, including water found underground, in lakes, and in the soil. The data shows that since 2015, the total amount of fresh water has gone down by a very large amount, losing around 1,200 cubic kilometers of water.
So, we cannot imagine a sustainable lifestyle by ignoring water conservation. Here are some easy things we can do at home to save water and money:
Turning off the tap while brushing teeth.
Only use the washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.
Using a shower head and taps that save water.
Fixing the leaks in our homes.
Putting a barrel outside to collect rainwater for our gardens.
Planting a garden that collects rainwater from our roofs and driveways.
Educating people about ways they can save water, too.
7. Shopping Responsibly: We can do sustainable shopping by choosing things that are good for the planet and made in a fair way. We can do it by preferring Plastic Free Products, Organic and Natural Materials, Eco- Friendly Packaging, Locally Sourced and Artisan Made Products.
Moreover, buying second-hand goods is another great way to downsize the demand for producing new goods and make sure that old items that still work do not end up in the bin.
Living a sustainable lifestyle does more than just help the environment. When we choose eco-friendly choices, we can help our communities become healthier and cleaner, improve the health of people around us, and create new jobs and business opportunities in green industries.
The future of our planet depends on how much effort we put into living in a sustainable way. The more we add eco-friendly habits into our daily lives, the better the future will be for everyone.
Educating children about sustainability is one of the most important things we can do for the future of our planet. By helping children to understand why it is important to look after the environment, we give them the tools to become the changemakers of tomorrow.
Schools play a very important role in helping children learn about sustainability and why it matters. Since children spend a large part of their day at school, it is a great place to teach them good habits and values that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. In school, teachers can include topics like climate change, recycling and protecting nature by integrating with other topics.
Living a fully sustainable life all the time can be hard, and it is not something that everyone can do straight away. However, this does not mean we cannot make a difference. Even the smallest changes in our daily lives can add up to have a big impact on the planet.
Written by,
Tarali Mazumdar
Assistant Teacher
Rangamati High School
Sources:
https://www.aiesus.org/sustainable-living-small-changes-that-make-a-big-impact/
https://zendo.org./records/20073804
https://wilderness-society.org/sustainability-in-daily-life-small-changes-with-big-impacts/
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