Sustainability Everyday
We all do it…
Using a bamboo toothbrush, packing lunch in a box instead of a bag, or opting for a bike over a car are all small actions we take to ease our conscience. However, we often hear responses like “That won’t make a difference!” or “If you do this, you might as well do that.” There's a sense of hypocrisy, especially when it comes to sustainable choices. When discussing sustainability or sharing personal eco-friendly practices, we may face specific criticisms. It's challenging to pinpoint the reasons behind these reactions, as it varies from person to person. Comparing behaviours can make people feel defensive, but the most impactful change starts with oneself.
Trust the process
Our daily routines often do not align with sustainable practices. To live more sustainably, we need to think creatively and find ways to seamlessly integrate eco-friendly habits into our lives.
When starting your sustainability journey, focus on small yet impactful steps. For instance, always carry a reusable coffee cup, sort your waste correctly, or consider eco-friendly alternatives like a bamboo toothbrush. Remember, progress matters more than perfection in this journey towards sustainability.
Taking things step-by-step
Gradually, we adapt to change by motivating ourselves to take small steps toward environmental consciousness daily. Abruptly altering your entire lifestyle is both impractical and overly demanding, often leading to unsuccessful outcomes in the long run. Strive to make do with less where feasible and seek compromises where necessary. For instance, not everyone can cycle to work daily due to various reasons like important meetings, specific attire requirements, or unfavourable weather conditions. A feasible compromise could be cycling to work only when the weather permits. Remember, it's acceptable for solutions to be practical rather than perfect.
Another approach is opting for packaging made from recycled or renewable materials, demonstrating a positive choice from the start.
Why talk about it?!
We discuss this topic to inspire others to make more sustainable choices. Through sharing ideas, offering advice, acquiring new knowledge, and seeking validation, we aim to encourage positive actions. While some may perceive it as boasting, there is merit in feeling proud, especially if you have successfully transitioned your entire kitchen to zero-waste options. Being a role model is commendable. However, the key factor here is willingness! Having the readiness to take action and the commitment to participate are crucial. Those who embrace change will undoubtedly have an edge in the future, as it has always been the case.
Looking to the future
If each person makes a small contribution, these collective efforts will eventually form a significant impact. Achieving complete sustainability is unrealistic for anyone participating in everyday life. Striving for 100% perfect sustainability would be impossible as it would mean ceasing to exist. Therefore, like many things in life, sustainability is about finding a balance that works for each individual.
Yes, the small steps we personally take in the right direction will neither stop climate change nor noticeably minimise the effects. BUT: If everyone takes small steps in the right direction, no matter what they look like, then we can make the world more sustainable in the long term.
There is still a long way to go until then, which is full of small and large sustainability sins. It is important to get these out of the way so that they do not fall back in and block the path of the successors.