Going eco-conscious means trying, not sacrificing!

For the world to become fully sustainable, we would have to stop eating meat, sell our cars, stop using planes, and stop using electricity - we would have to live completely off the grid, which is impractical in today's society.

There is no way to offset all the impacts, but our efforts and lifestyle choices are still making a difference. Even though you can always do more for the environment or get even greener, that doesn't mean you should be hard on yourself for not being there yet.

The journey toward sustainability does not begin with a zero-waste lifestyle or full eco-consciousness overnight but with reduced waste.

What matters is you're doing the best you can.

 

What Even Is Sustainable Living?

Sustainable living requires us to minimize our use of Earth's resources and reduce our damage to it rather than removing it completely.

Sustainability shouldn't be seen as a sacrifice but as a mindset shift that will lead to better-informed, eco-friendly decisions. Sustainability will be much easier to adopt as a lifestyle if we treat it as a journey rather than a goal.

It's better to be imperfectly zero waste and plastic-free but fully aware that small steps are better than none at all. Imperfection with the intention of improvement is not the problem; the problem is our society's lack of change.

Making positive changes to offset climate change and reduce environmental damage is the key to sustainable living, as it is about making choices today that positively impact the planet tomorrow.

 

Why Is Sustainability Considered a Journey?

Sustainable living begins with an idea and a thought. Still, once we get started, we are continually discovering more layers of connection between our actions and the rest of the world.

There's no point at which you're suddenly “sustainable.” Yet, the moment you ask yourself, “How do I start?”, you have already embarked on your “sustainability journey”.

As you grow and foster more environmentally-conscious ideas, the small changes you make today will have far-reaching effects in the future that can even inspire more people to follow in your footsteps.

Sustainable development is a journey that grows as you go. It is not about what you can or should do but rather about what you can accomplish.

As a collective, we need to be aware and transparent that we can only do so much but know we are devoted to doing more and more.

 

How to Start Living Sustainably

1. Start small

Instead of setting your sights on sweeping change, focus on ways you can help reduce your impact now. Afterward, consider what you can do tomorrow and continue the journey each day.

 

2. Reduce Your Energy Consumption

Using less energy will reduce carbon emissions. You can save energy at home by turning off standby appliances, turning down your heating, and hanging your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer.

 

3. Use Less Water

There are a number of small changes you can make in and around your home that will help you save water, such as cutting down your shower time, turning off the faucet when you are done using it, and so on. 

 

4. Avoid Wasting Food 

Don't throw away leftovers. They can be used for meals the next day or even frozen. If they go bad, you can use them to create compost.

 

5. Unplug Electronics Once Charged 

Make it a habit to unplug things that you don't use regularly, and use power strips to plug a few things simultaneously.

 

Conclusion:

Our actions must grow into a community effort if we are to make a significant impact on the earth. With more of us embarking on a sustainable path, we will make a more substantial impact on the planet and each other.

May 27, 2022