Sustainable lifestyle
5 SIMPLE WAYS TO LIVE A MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE
Over the past decades, human action has caused our planet's face to change: climate change, extreme weather conditions, biodiversity loss, water shortages and crop failure are some of the severe consequences caused by us not living in a respectful symbiosis with our Earth's natural ecology.
And this is why we need to act - now.
So, how can we start the new decade more sustainably?
Living sustainably is to take responsibility for the impact of our actions in a way that leaves things better off for the world.
That means that we need to use resources in a way that maintains their supplies for the future - so being aware of your resource consumption and reducing unnecessary waste are key to live in harmony with our planet.
1. EAT FOR THE PLANET
What we eat and how it was produced directly impacts our health and also our planet: implementing a balanced, locally-sourced, varied and plant-based diet is one of the best things you can do for yourself and our environment.
And did you know that eating less meat and dairy is described as 'the single biggest way to reduce your impact on Earth'? Research has shown that without meat and dairy consumption, we could reduce global farmland by more than 75% while still feeding the world. This would allow us to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% but also spare resources and save wild areas and wildlife.
No meat and diary sounds too extreme for you? Why not try a vegan week every once in a while and see how you feel?
Try some delicious meat-free recipes from some of our fave veggie and vegan cooks: About That Food, Deliciously Ella, and Minimalist Baker.
And here is some food for thought:
What's wrong with what we eat / TED talk
Cowspiracy / Movie
The Game Changers / Movie
The Biggest Little Farm / Movie
Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers / Science Journal
2. DITCH YOUR DAILY PLASTIC
The first, simple step to reducing waste is to ditch your daily plastic:
- Swap plastic bottles and single-use coffee cups with reusable alternatives (try S'well Bottles, Frank Green or Keep Cup) and bring your own food container when you get take-away food (we like the ones from Black+Bum).
- Bring your own grocery bag - avoid plastic bags by all means.
- Try bar soap or use refillable bottles to avoid plastic packaging
- Use a bamboo toothbrush.
- Find your local zero-waste bulk store and shop package-free.
For more tips and tricks on how to go waste-free head to Trash is for Tossers or Litterless.