Sustainable living is not a fad but is a commitment to make changes that will arrest, if not reverse the negative environmental issues affecting our planet. In the most simple term, living sustainably means to give back to Earth what we have taken in excesses, whilst reducing the carbon footprint we’ve imprinted on the environment for years.
What Can People Do to Live Sustainably?
People who practice sustainability try to cut down the damage of human and environmental interactions. In order to work toward achieving sustainability goals, there are three known principles that serve as guidelines for a sustainable lifestyle, namely: environmental, social, and economic. One cannot do without the other as all three principles are hinged together.
Does the Sustainability Movement Aim for Perfection?
There is no exact way to interpret sustainability as it depends on every person. Moreover, there is no limit to how far one should adopt sustainable practices as a way of life. To furnish some examples, the following are the most popular examples as they are quite effective and practical to adopt as sustainable lifestyle:
Use of Renewable Energy
In sustainable living, use of fossil fuels is not an option since the planet is not only running out of this resource. The methods of extracting them have caused damages on the environment while their excessive applications have been releasing huge amounts of carbon dioxide emissions.
Renewable energy includes energy that is obtained from unlimited sources such as sun, wind, water, biomass, and geothermal sources.
Practice Organic and Regenerative Farming
One of the most common reason for biodiversity loss is inorganic farming, which entails the use of agricultural pesticides to eradicate insects. However, their scarcity and eventual absence in the food chain has caused biodiversity and ecosystems to suffer, which has led to the reduction of more than 40% of the planet’s species.
Regenerative agriculture on the other hand, refers to a method of organic farming that is focused on regenerating and revitalizing the soil’s health and in promoting carbon and mineral absorption to improve agricultural productivity.
Consumption of Plant-Rich Diets
Eating plant-based diets is another way to live more sustainably as they lessen the demand for energy consumption that results to enormous greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, plants more healthier sustenance and are sustainable because they minimize the risks of developing chronic diseases.
The dairy and meat industry accounts for 60% of the agricultural industry’s greenhouse gas emissions that is estimated to have reached a total of 13.7 billion tons.
Using organic methods to grow your own food is another way of living sustainably amidst urban spaces. It also lessens the demand for energy as well as promotes biodiversity in urban spaces.
Use of Bicycles and Electric Cars as Mode of Transport
Sustainable living aims to change vehicles that are too dependent on gasoline, deemed as more fuel-efficient. Furthermore, this philosophy pushes people to drive less by opting for public transportation, or commute via walking or cycling.
Construction of Green Buildings Using Sustainable Methods
Although the construction industry is a leading user of natural resources and producer of wastes, companies have been following the a closed-loop or circular economy as part of their business morel,
All materials used for constructing a home or building must be strong enough to make certain the constructed edifice will last for years and withstand different weather elements. Since the materials are durable, metals, bricks, wood and mortars can be recycled or reclaimed for use in other construction projects in order ot lessen the demand on natural sources.
Moreover, sustainability in construction projects include protecting the lawns, soft soil and bare earth against possible contamination, salination or compaction by using protective ground mats.