Many people realize that our stores of natural resources on Earth are on the decline. Not only are they on a decline, but many of them such as our 1% of drinkable water on Earth are being polluted by the second. As our population grows and people demand more products, how our remaining resources should be used is always a question to be answered. While there may be multiple answers to this question, they are not always direct and take immense time and effort to accomplish.
In the past people were once aware of the amount of energy and materials they consumed in a week. They were cautious about these amounts and were more sustainable in their practices. From this point on, technology developed changing the way we saw the world. Nature was no longer a resource we lived with but a resource we had to control. Technology concord our minds and lead us to buying more manufactured products that we did not always need. The movie “Story of Stuff” appropriately tells the tale of how resources are consumed, used for a short time and then discarded on the curb for a life time in a land fill or a slight chance of being recycled. Now landfills are over capacity and resources are limited once again changing the way people behave.
This new era of sustainability is complex and may not be sending the right message to the public. Many of our current sustainability efforts are still focused on the consumer. While you may see adds to reduce energy consumption, you see twice as many adds saying to convert to using renewable energy sources that do not emphasize energy reduction practices. People are not taught how to make home cleaners out of vinegar and backing soda, but are encouraged to switch to products that say green or eco-friendly. Needless to say these products are just as good as the homemade ones but cost the consumer twice as much and use more resources. People may change their behaviors to purchasing energy efficient appliance, but may not actually understand the message behind them.
From these examples, I wish that the reader thinks about their own lifestyle. What products do you purchase to be more sustainable? Do you know the reasons behind these actions? Do you ever think of alternative behaviors to purchasing these products? This last question is of most importance. People may see a product that is green or eco-friendly, but in the end, they are still consuming resources. Simply purchasing green items is a sustainably answers that is not direct and will take time and effort to make a change. People should step aside from consumerism and venture into the area of innovation and thriftiness.
Mixing innovations into your lifestyle can be as simple as 1,2,3 if one follows the ideas of reduce, reuse, recycle and rot. Reducing the amount of natural resources one consumes in a day or a week can make a substantial impact in the realms of sustainability and conservation. People can follow simple tips such as unplugging electronics that are not in use or simply using electrical strips that only require an on/off switch. Buy products that contain the least amount of packaging or ones that have packaging that can be reused. Bring a cloth bag on shopping trips and combine items when possible. Wash cloths on cooler cycles and try air-drying laundry. These activities and changes in behavior do not only benefit the Earth, but participants save money and positively commit to a global movement. When enforcing sustainable behaviors and greening up your lifestyles it is important to become public role models and encourage others to do the same.
3 comments:
I like how you reach out to the audience and get them to look at their own lifestyle choices. Like most other people who read this, I realize most of the impacts I make on the environment through my everyday choices but I am still hesitant to change my ways because I stick with what's easiest and most comfortable. I also like how you included some simple solutions.
I am glad that people reading this post think about their own life style choises and may even try out the ones suggested. Like stated in the previous comment, it is hard to get around routines that we establish to make situations more comfortable and easier. What I personally do is make a list of routines and actions that I do every day or even on occasion and I look at what impact I am making. Who and what is affected by my actions, what is the reason for my actions and then what are some alternative behaviors that can be explored. Just focousing on one at a time for a few weeks or months can make a difference. I enjoy the challenge and it really builds character. One challenge that I am most proud of is not drying my cloths in a machine dryer. For about a year now I have air dried my cloths reducing both water and energy consumption. On the side, I am investigating alternative soaps to use as well to decrease my chemical impact on the environment. All it takes is just a little commitment till a new routine is established.
I have to agree that most people are very hesitant because people do what is easiest for them. I like to think that I do small things that will hopefully make a difference. But when looking at the choices I still make it is pretty scary to think of the impacts that I do daily and as well as many other students and people for that matter. Its amazing what solutions you came up with that are pretty basic and simple. I think what you do is great, so keep it up! I feel that if more people would just think about what they are doing, simple solutions can be made and ultimately change their lifestyle for the better.
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