Sustainable Living
“Sustainable living describes a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual's or society's use of the Earth's natural resources, and one's personal resources. It is often called as "earth harmony living" or "net zero living".”
We are fortunate to live in a beautiful, diverse, nurturing, awe-inspiring planet. Our children, and all future generations, deserve the same.
If you’re feeling worried by now, you’re not alone. Millions of people are working together for our planet. Events like Earth Hour are a brilliant reminder that together, humanity is capable of great things, and we can make change happen for the right reasons.
Already, so much has changed since we first heard about the possible effect of climate change. Beginning with the Rio Earth Summit, then the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, action on a global scale is speeding up. Now it is more important than ever that we use our action, our votes and our voices to tell political and business leaders that action on climate is absolutely essential.
Why you should care
Steps you can take now to make a change
- 🌱 Make your own cleaning products
Commercially bought cleaners are loaded with toxic and polluting substance designed to make domestic life easier. The problem with this is the products are not kind to the environment and often the ingredients aren't even listed. Consider swapping your all-purpose cleaner for baking soda, vinegar and water.
- 🌱 Eat greener
By choosing to eat more plant-based foods you can drastically cut your carbon footprint, save precious water supplies and help ensure that vital crop resources are fed to people, rather than livestock. With the wealth of available plant-based options available, it has never been easier to eat with the planet in mind.
- 🌱 Learn the dos and don'ts of your local recycling
General waste and recyclying guidelines can often change between boroughs and cities. Reach out to your local council and familarise yourself with what exactly they accept. Shopping with the environment in mind and taking reusable bags and containers to avoid single use plastics.
Read more on where your waste ends up! - 🌱 Support renewable energy
Renewable energy provides reliable power supplies and fuel diversification, which enhance energy security and lower risk of fuel spills while reducing the need for imported fuels. Research energy suppliers available in your area and check what fuels they invest in, some green suppliers produce 100% of their electrictiy from zero-carbon sources.
- 🌱 Watch your water consumption
Just 4% of the Earth's water is freshwater and we are too complacent in wasting that. By taking shorter showers, fixing leaky pipes and watering gardens in the evening you can reduce your usage.
“There is a great need for the introduction of new values in our society, where bigger is not necessarily better, where slower can be faster, and where less can be more.”
Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day
