A Deep Dive into Sustainable Living

With the planet becoming warmer year by year and millions of species at risk of extinction, it’s high time to embrace sustainable living. A sustainable lifestyle helps reduce your carbon footprint and positively impacts the earth.

 

 
But the “environment” is not the only reason! Sustainable living (or green living) positively affects your well-being because you’re making healthier choices. You can also lower your expenses by growing organic veggies, driving less, and producing less waste.

Sustainable living is about avoiding the depletion of the earth's natural resources by reducing the demand for energy, fossil fuels, water, and trees.

How to Live a Sustainable Lifestyle
It’s very simple and easy to embrace sustainable living. Almost everything we use in our daily lives has an eco-friendly alternative, from bamboo toothbrushes and organic food to energy-efficient appliances.

Here are some ways or changes you can make to start living sustainably:

Rethink Transportation

 

Walk, take the stairs, and ride a bicycle as much as possible. These modes of transportation don't consume energy (other than your own) and emit zero greenhouse gases. Traveling this way also improves your cardiovascular health.

For long distances, choose carpool or public transportation. E-vehicles are a sound choice as well.

Make Sustainable Shopping Choices

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest reasons behind the global waste epidemic. More than 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced yearly.
 

This is alarmingly detrimental to all species on the earth, from marine life to wildlife (and not to forget, humans). One way to offset plastic waste is to ditch single-use bags and bottles for reusables.

When it comes to buying fashion, make ethical and sustainable choices. Though brands now claim to offer sustainable fashion, pros suggest buying second-hand clothing since the goal is to use things longer and produce less.

Always choose truly sustainable brands that follow sustainable practices, such as:
•    Reduced Water Consumption
•    Less Use of Hazardous Chemicals
•    Use of Recycled Materials or Sustainable Fibers

Grow Your Own Food (Organically)
 

The food we eat is now grown using unsustainable practices and hazardous chemicals that end up in landfills. Food grown using chemicals is bad for our health. Additionally, carbon emissions from transportation and refrigerated storage of food are major contributors to climate change.

Growing your own food is good for you and the planet. You can create a food garden on your rooftop, balcony, or in your local community.

Most importantly, use only organic fertilizers and home-grown compost to feed your plants and garden beds. For irrigation, use drip systems that prevent water from evaporating into the air.

Choose to grow fruits and veggies that fulfill your nutritional needs. If you’re not sure, you can go for nutritional counseling. During your classes, you’ll learn about the best food choices according to your fitness goals and sustainable lifestyle.

Grow your own food and encourage your community to do the same. This way, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying the organic taste of fresh, pesticide-free food.

And, if you can’t do this, support and donate to organizations that encourage sustainable living.

Is Sustainable Living Expensive?
No! Sustainable living is not expensive. It's all about making healthier, environmentally-friendly lifestyle choices. It's about using fewer resources, reducing waste, and making things last longer.

Sustainable living is good for you, your loved ones, and the planet.

Start Small and Slow But Start Now!