In the beginning, the Universe was but one atom—the entire existence fused into a dot! All forms of life sprang forth from this single dot. This is the thread that holds us all together. Everything in this world was meant to co-exist and mutually benefit from each other to grow, sustain, and thrive. So what went wrong? One word- ‘greed’.
Mahatma Gandhi rightfully said, “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.”
Sustainability: A Newfound Philosophy?
When you look at the passionate advocacy for sustainable solutions in recent times, do you feel that many of the practices were already a part of your life growing up? You might remember getting hand-me-downs from your older siblings, your mother reusing jars, or carrying your own shopping bag. These are just simple sustainable habits that make a large impact. However, with the onset of industrialisation, consumerism took over, slowly unfolding a mad drive for “comfort”, “luxury”, and “modernity”.
Somewhere between new technology flooding the market everyday, the fear of missing out, and the culture of ‘possession’, we lost faith in our traditional values. Traditional approaches to life and living began to be linked with outdated knowledge, lack of means and resources to ‘afford better things’, or scrimping.
Let’s Get the Basics Right: What is Sustainability?
No one will ask you to quit your current lifestyle and head back in time to live in caves and jungles in the name of sustainable living. Sustainability is not primitiveness—what it is, is living mindfully and with accountability. Spare a moment to reflect on the effect that your demand, buying habits, and consumption has on the world around you and how you can meet your needs in the least intrusive way. Convenience should not come at the cost of other factors.
The core principle of sustainability is an effort to ‘sustain’—translating to a lifestyle with mindful usage of resources. Our reckless indulgences today will only lead up to a future of scarcity and poor quality of life for our future generations. So how can we start living sustainably?
The BIG Impact of SMALL Choices
Before steering the larger narrative of sustainability and its importance to our planet today, we must introduce small changes in our everyday choices and habits.
– The 3 Rs
Waste generation is an often overlooked aspect that is gradually turning into a major challenge. With purchase patterns being swayed by trends, we’re heading into an era of mindless consumption and fast-paced disposal. However, what you might not know is that behind this cycle of ever-changing trends are overworked workers, low-quality materials, toxic production cycles, exploitation of natural resources and energy. What changes can you make in your everyday life to change this? Swap single-use products for reusable ones—for instance, plastic bottles or cups for glass/steel. Give things a second chance by trying to fix and reuse them instead of just throwing them out. Also put in efforts to segregate your waste for easier recycling and proper disposal.
– Make Your Purchase Count
Who doesn’t love a good, reckless shopping trip where you just “I want it, I got it” your way through life. But, sustainability calls for more careful considerations. Trends will keep coming and going—opt for more long-lasting, evergreen styles. Also consider the materials being used to make these items. Take a look around your house and identify the items you can swap for more eco-friendly products. You don’t need to throw out your brand new purchases. For instance, the next time you need to purchase store-bought chemical floor cleaners, just opt for homemade cleaners made from vinegar and water. You can also try thrifting items—not only for buying second-hand products but also selling products you want to give a second life to.
– Food Choices to Fuel Sustainability
A research published by Nature Study in 2021 reveals that the food industry is responsible for 34% or 1/3rd of the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The food industry includes the production, packaging, transportation, storage, and retail of food. To minimise these emissions, we should try including seasonal and native produce in our diet. Stocking up vegetables and fruits can lead to food waste and rot; instead, buy your vegetables in smaller quantities and more frequently depending on your requirements. Try buying from local vendors and carry your own reusable shopping bag to reduce packaging wastage. Another wise choice to reduce food wastage is to carry reusable containers to parties or dinners to pack your leftovers.
These are just some basic practices to get you started on your sustainable journey. Interacting with people, engaging in in-person or online discussions, and reading up consistently will help you expand your knowledge on sustainable practices and stay up-to-date with important issues and emerging trends in sustainability. Our planet is our collective responsibility and each action, big or small, is equally important to safeguard our future generations.