Sense and Sustainability

 

With the worst impacts of climate change becoming potentially irreversible by the time we’ve reached the year 2030, it’s safe to say that we all need to make a change. These changes don’t have to be drastic, expensive or time consuming, and once you start, you won’t even notice you’re doing it.

Staying sustainable means using less of the Earth’s resources in order to help preserve it (sounds pretty simple, right?). Although saving the planet is a team project, individual lifestyle changes such as: reducing meat intake, switching energy sources, using reusable alternatives and recycling correctly, are small steps that each of us can take towards preserving our planet. By working as a collective, there is hope that we won’t have to watch the environment that we know and love, deteriorate even further.

Understandably, it is difficult to know what’s right and wrong when it comes to lifestyle choices and changes. Bearing this in mind, I have decided to compile a short guide to provide a few straightforward tips, that are achievable for the majority.

 

1.       Muting meat consumption

Considering meat-free diets being a contentious issue for some, it is possible to make a difference without completely cutting meat out of your life. Having one day a week, or even one meal a week, where you do not include any meat products or use plant-based alternatives, can make a substantial difference.  Meat production is a huge contributor to climate change, water pollution and landscape intrusion,  if we all made this slight reduction in our consumption we really could reduce the impact this huge industry has on our surroundings. Findings suggest that skipping just one serving of meat a week (particularly beef) for a whole year can save the equivalent of the emissions produced when driving 348 miles in your car.  Whilst also reducing your carbon footprint; reducing your meat intake can have a positive impact on health. Researchers have found a link between coronary heart disease and meat-based diets therefore reducing intake can be personally as well as globally beneficial.

 

2.       Thoughtfulness with fashion

The fashion industry can be held accountable for around 10% of carbon emissions worldwide. Whatever your budget, there are ways to keep your wardrobe stylish as well as sustainable. Being a student with limited funds myself, savvy shopping has become a necessity. Not only is finding a steal in a charity shop satisfying, shopping second hand is a great way to reduce carbon emissions. Those wanting to splash the cash are better to invest in high quality items that will see you through more than one season, this for sure beats the alternative option of fast fashion. Taking a few extra minutes to scope out environmentally conscious brands is another way in which you can make a difference, look out for those that use recycled materials or natural dyes in their products – this is usually a good sign. Although this tip may sound trivial, every single clothing item we purchase has its own environmental footprint, treats here and there aren’t criminal but just double check that you do really need 3 pink jumpers.

 

3.       Eco-friendly alternatives

On my last visit to the beach (when leaving the house was legal), I was astonished when encountering endless pieces of plastic. Single-use products are most likely to end up in our oceans or ever mounting landfill sites, damaging habitats, wildlife and ecosystems. With reusable products on the rise and becoming increasingly accessible, swapping from single use is straightforward. Reusable water bottles, coffee cups, straws and cutlery can be your way of making a change without breaking the bank. Topping off an outfit with a tote bag is the way to go when taking a trip to the shops; leave the plastic bags at the till. Biodegradable waste bags, bamboo razors and beeswax wraps are just some of the innovative products that play a role in reducing waste. So please, consider reusable alternatives to keep our countryside pretty, protected, and plastic free.

 

4.       Fathoming Fair-Trade

Fair-trade labels on products tell us that sustainable agricultural methods have been used in production and processing,  and the local people producing such products receive a fair price. Look out for these labels on fruit, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, tea and coffee. With little difference in price between fair-trade and non-fair-trade products, why run the risk of exploiting local people and damaging the environment when purchasing the essentials. Products without fair-trade certification may use unsustainable production methods and unethical labour practices. Before you take the next sip of your coffee whilst reading (and hopefully enjoying) this article, firstly think…is it fair-trade?

 

 

Given the current circumstances, with many of us having some extra time on our hands, maybe we can use this time to consider the changes we can make and the impact our actions have. Why start tomorrow when you can start today. Our world is fabulous but it’s also fragile. Time is of the essence and making every second count may be the decider between a fabulous or flailing future planet.