Sustainability is a big word, and we're here to break it down for you. What exactly is sustainability? How does it impact your life? And what can you do to be more sustainable? Here's everything you need to know:
It can mean different things to different people.
Sustainability can be defined as a way of thinking, acting and living that aims to safeguard the environment and natural resources for future generations.
It can mean different things to different people. For some it's about reducing their carbon footprint by recycling or using public transport. For others it could be growing their own food or buying from local producers and suppliers.
While no one definition will please everyone, sustainability is often thought of as a journey rather than a destination. It's about taking small steps in your day-to-day life towards creating more environmentally friendly habits for yourself and those around you - whether that's at home, work or school!
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination.
A lot of people think they are sustainable because they buy organic food and use reusable shopping bags, but there's so much more to it than that. The way you treat your employees and the environment around you can be just as important as what you purchase at the grocery store. If we want to create real change in our world, then sustainability needs to become part of who we are instead of just one thing we do on occasion. In order to achieve true sustainability on both an individual level and as a society, it must become part of how we live our lives every day.
Do not be scared of the jargon or how complicated it may seem
Don't be scared of the jargon, or how complicated it may seem. It's all just a bunch of words and numbers. You don't need to know exactly what all of this means, but you do need to understand what we're talking about when we use these terms. Understanding sustainability will help you make better decisions for yourself and the planet as a whole.
Start small.
Start with something you're passionate about, something you're familiar with, and/or something you can do without a lot of money or time. If the idea of going vegan seems overwhelming and expensive, begin by eliminating meat from your diet one day per week (or even one meal per week). Then work up to two days per week; then three; and so on. If the idea of purchasing an electric vehicle is daunting because it requires finding a charging station every 20 minutes when driving around town — well then perhaps ride-sharing services are more appropriate for now!
To make sustainability accessible for everyone: don't try to start big from day one. Start small and build up over time!
Understand that you are learning as you go.
The most important thing to remember is that you are learning as you go. Sustainability is not a one-time project, but rather an ongoing process that will continue in your life for the rest of your time on this planet. You don't have to be perfect at it, nor do you have to do everything at once—just take baby steps and make a little progress every day. You'll learn along the way what works and what doesn't work for you, which makes sustainability even more sustainable!
All actions are welcome and appreciated no matter how big or small.
It's important to remember that you don't have to do everything at once or be perfect. You don't even need all the answers. You can start with small steps and do what works best for you. We've made a list of simple things below, but feel free to come up with your own ideas!
You don't have to be perfect.
You don’t have to be perfect. Nobody is perfect, and there is no shame in trying and failing. You will learn and grow from your mistakes, just as you will from your successes. Sustainability isn't about doing it all at once, doing it perfectly, or even doing it at all.
It's about making small changes that you can stick with over time and then adding more over time. You might be thinking, "I'm not a sustainer. I'll never be one." That's okay! It's true that sustainability is a big subject, but it's also something that we all can work on, even in the smallest ways. Getting started is only half the battle; you also have to keep going and keep improving until you reach your goals.
In other words: don't be afraid of change!
Don't be afraid to try new things; don't let fear hold you back from making mistakes or failing at what you're trying to do; and most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help when it gets too much for one person alone (like getting involved with an environmental club).
Conclusion
Sustainability takes time and it can be a challenging journey. However, its always important to remember that do not be afraid or hesitant to reach out to people, to know more or to change your lifestyle. Whether it is to know ways to reduce your carbon footprint or recycle plastic or even find alternatives, people always guide that change and enhance the experience.
I hope that you have found this article helpful in understanding how sustainability impacts our world today and what we can do to make it better tomorrow. If you would like more information on sustainable living or if there is something specific that you want me to write about please leave a comment below!