While larger societal changes are needed to tackle climate and biodiversity crises, we can all play our part in making sustainable living the norm. Whether it’s ditching single-use plastic or buying organic produce, there are many small daily habits we can all incorporate into our lives to make a big difference.
As a society, we’re beginning to recognise the value of sustainability in our day-to-day life, thanks to environmentalists like Rachel Carson and her 1962 book Silent Sprint. Since then, there’s been a significant rise in green businesses, with brands now incorporating eco-friendly values into their branding and product packaging. This shift in perception has helped us to identify a wide range of sustainable living tips.
Sustainable living is all about reducing your demand for natural resources, such as water, energy and food. It’s also about using your resources more wisely, which may include choosing recycled products or reusing paper and glass instead of throwing them away. This may also mean reusing reusable cloths for cleaning up non-toxic spills or switching from disposable napkins and tissues to a handkerchief.
One of the biggest sustainability goals is to avoid single-use items – such as plastic bottles, bags, cups and cutlery – as much as possible. Plastic waste harms the planet, killing marine wildlife who ingest or get tangled in it, and polluting our air when it degrades.
Reusable straws, a reusable water bottle and a reusable lunch box are just a few of the easy changes you can make. Choosing to buy organic food is another great way to support the planet, as it means not only avoiding harmful pesticides but promoting better welfare for farm animals too. Reducing your meat consumption is another key way to reduce your impact, as overfarming of cattle causes serious ecological damage by destroying forests and producing methane, which contributes to greenhouse gases.
Investing in a bicycle or carpooling to work are other sustainable lifestyle changes you can make, as well as recycling everything you can and choosing to shop locally where possible to support your community. Consider a plant-based diet too, as eating more veggies can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
It’s a good idea to try and make these sustainable lifestyle changes permanent, so they become a habit. However, don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of change you can bring about – start with just one or two of these suggestions and add more as you go along!