When you practise sustainability, you adopt a lifestyle that is termed sustainable living. This means that you incorporate strategies into your lifestyle that support the ideals of sustainability. There are many ways of describing this process and the terminology can be confusing, so let’s begin with a few definitions.
Definitions
According to Wikipedia, “sustainable living is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s or society’s use of the earth’s natural resources”.
Lester R. Brown is an environmentalist who founded the Worldwatch and Earth Policy Institutes. He describes sustainability as “shifting to a renewable energy-based, reuse/recycle economy with a diversified transport system”.
People often refer to their attempts at sustainability as “going green”, being eco-friendly or adopting an eco-living lifestyle.
In its purest form, sustainability means that a particular process or condition can be maintained indefinitely. In the 21st century, this means that, as we meet our current needs, we must ensure that the future inhabitants of earth are also able to meet their needs.
The three acknowledged pillars of sustainability are Social, Environment and Economic. Sustainability is often defined as a strategy of meeting current societal, environmental and economic needs in such a way that the same needs of the future generations are not adversely affected.
Why is sustainable living necessary?
The issues surrounding sustainable living have been spoken and written about since the 1800s but gathered strength during the 1970s. Prominent scientists have written about the dangers of continuing the rate of development and growth of consumerism-driven societies, but their warnings have largely fallen on deaf ears. Gradually, though, we are becoming aware that there are limits to which humans can use the natural resources of our planet. Many believe that we are fast reaching some of those limits.
Just like we need to live within our means financially, not spending more than we can earn, humans also need to use the natural resources of the earth responsibly. The natural world is the basis of human existence; it cannot be squandered. Natural resources like water, habitats, wild fish, oil, gas and coal should only be used at the same rate that they are naturally replenished. Science has given us plenty of evidence that humans are living in a most unsustainable way by consuming these resources at a much faster rate than they can possibly be replenished naturally.
The need for worldwide changes to incorporate a more sustainable way of life has become obvious, but making the necessary changes is proving difficult. The good of the environment is frequently sacrificed for monetary profits, survival or political gain. What people need to understand is that without sustainability, these factors may well collapse.
Humans simply cannot continue to take from the planet, destroying natural environments in the name of progress, and expect life as we know it, to continue indefinitely.
What can I do on my own?
Many people have decided that they are not prepared to wait for governments and decision-makers to take action towards sustainability. While there has been some progression towards sustainability in many countries in recent years, most are still lagging behind. Governments seem reticent to take any action that might anger the big corporations or certain segments of their constituents.
Luckily, there are several strategies that you can employ in your own life, which will help you develop a more sustainable lifestyle. Can you make a difference on your own? Maybe not very much, but the sooner people take hold of the sustainability ball and run with it, the sooner we will be making progress.
Never underestimate the contribution one person can have; you make some small changes to your lifestyle and share the benefits with those you know. Some of these people will copy your initiatives, while some will disagree with the need for such changes. Even if you influence just one more person to make sustainable living choices, you have had an impact. If you can do this at home, in your neighborhood, at the local schools and at work, think how great your contribution will be to the planet.
So, are you going to make a green contribution? What kinds of things do you do to live sustainable?
Miss T has written 582 articles on this blog. Hi, I am Miss T and I am the owner and head writer of PrairieEcoThrifter. Each and every day I am working to live a money savvy, healthy, and green life.While you're here, consider signing up for the RSS feed or email subscription . Both deliver the latest articles directly to you everyday. Have a Twitter , Facebook, Reddit, Stumble Upon, or Digg account? Then follow me for all of the latest posts or to send any comments or questions.
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Great post. I too believe that small changes can make a world-wide impact. Keep up the sustainability effort!
@20′s finance. Thanks. I do try to do my part as best as I can. I figure I can influence others in a positive way if I walk the walk. Thanks for the support.
Although I can’t make a huge impact myself, I believe gradually making small changes in lifestyle can lead to great things. Many people have the mindset that their individual actions won’t amount to anything so they decide not to do anything at all. That attitude will keep us heading towards a not-so-great future.
@60K. I totally agree. The little things do matter and they really can add up. Plus our small actions may be noticed by others and have a positive influence. If we all do a few small things then collectively we can make a big change. It is never good to just sit and nothing because we think there is no hope.
I believe one person can make a big impact only if he/she has the resources to do so, a medium. This government will never change, the only thing it can do is make politicians richer and blame everything else on us. great post
@Aaron. That is a bold statement about the government although I can’t say you don’t have a point. You are right though, having a medium does make things a bit easier but that doesn’t mean you can’t make any changes without a medium. There are always little things you can do that don’t cost anything.
I admire your sustainable message Miss T. We simply don’t have the resources for all of us to live to excess, like most of the western world. We need to find ways to conserve, and find efficiencies wherever possible.
@Hunter. I agree. There is so much waste it sickens me. I have only ever been to the dump in our city once and the experience scarred me. I still remember it to this day. I actually almost got sick there I was so disgusted with what we are doing to our planet and the amount of usable stuff that was just thrown in the pile. Energy consumption is not just our problem, it is also too much waste. We need to start reusing and recycling what we have and not throw it out.
Thanks for the compliment too. I am just one person trying to have a positive influence.
Great post
You are leading by example, and that’s the best way to lead!
@Y&T. Thanks. I try to do what I can. I still have areas I can improve on but I am working on being as sustainable as I can.
Nicely penned, Miss T.
One way to switch gears and start thinking sustainable and regenerative is to consider the embedded energy that went into making a certain asset or commodity. A vehicle, for example, represents a huge consumption of energy. Purchasing a used car instead of new is a good way to conserve for the future. Same goes for furniture, tools, etc.
@101. You are totally right. Where something comes from and what was needed to make it a huge factor. Some people will think of this when it comes to food and buying local but they won’t consider things like cars, furniture or clothes. Great point,.
Mostly, when I buy something, I run it into the ground trying to get the full utility out of it. I guess I do so because I hate to through something usefull away, and because I’m frugally green by nature. At one time I use to take “Navy Showers” at home just because it made me feel good about saving the water
@Money Reasons. Navy showers?! That’s great. I never knew you were passionate about sustainable living. Welcome to the club. Thanks for doing the things you can to make a difference.
Great insights! I truly believe that – even in this day and age – some people struggle with the idea of sustainable living simply because they don’t know where to start. Luckily, articles like this give a basic primer – and reinforce the fact that saving money, combined with living sustainably – id definitely a “do-able” option.
@Lisa. Thanks. I really try to give practical tips that people can actually use. Why set people up for failure?!
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