Do you know how to live sustainably? Most of us do, but choose not to.
According to Google, sustainability is defined as: “the capacity for the biosphere and human civilization to co-exist”.
There are three aspects of sustainability that can be agreed upon by leaders around the world: social, environmental, and economic. Currently, the main focus is on social and environmental aspects.
If you didn’t already know, the world is being overworked. Too much carbon emissions are being released into the air and damaging the ozone layer beyond repair. Because of this, the world is heating up. It can’t deflect all of the sun’s rays that it used to be able to. Ice caps are melting, species are dying, etc.
Besides the amount of damage our every day actions are doing to the environment, our resources are also dwindling. Fossil fuels are running out, and we are using all of our reserves for clean water. We use a large amount of our land for animal agriculture, and we are constantly creating non-recyclable garbage that fills our oceans, land fills, and forests.
What is the average person doing to combat non-sustainability?
In all truth, nothing. Most people do not limit their single-use plastics, limit their meat consumption, or use renewably sourced transportation. Not all things can be helped, but some can. Despite this, many people, including myself, look sustainability in the eye and then turn away. Is it because change is hard, or do we just not care enough? Maybe it’s even because we aren’t educated enough.
What are some things we all can do to help live more sustainably?
- Eat less meat. Did you know that animal agriculture is one of the least sustainable food practices on Earth? Despite being unethical in some cases, animal agriculture takes up mass amounts of land, uses mass amounts of water, and creates CO2 emissions that help damage the ozone layer. As the population of humans increases, more and more meat will be required to feed them. That will require more land, and more water, and more CO2 emissions. None of these practices are sustainable. Fresh water accounts for 2-3% of the world’s water, and that number is dwindling. Land will not increase on Earth, and the ozone layer will continue to thin as our meat consumption increases as a species.
- Use public transportation, walk, or get an electric car. The amount of fossil fuels we have on Earth is not increasing, however, carbon emissions is. Whenever possible, reduce your carbon footprint by taking the bus, carpooling, walking, or if you one day have the opportunity to do so, get an electric car.
- Limit single use plastic. Use a reusable cup and metal silverware. Don’t buy single-use plates and utensils. Say no to unnecessary items given out by restaurants and stores such as straws and other plastics.
- Most importantly, do your own research. Find your own ways you can help live a more sustainable life.
Check out this link for more ways to live sustainably!
What will happen if humans can’t combat non-sustainability?
If humans can’t find a way to make use of renewable elements such as solar power and wind power to replace the most fuel-consuming aspects of life, future generations will suffer. Global warming will increase at an alarming rate, more species will continue to die, and the Earth will fill up with garbage.