© Photography by INJECTION Magazine
The minimum you can do to make a big environmental difference.
If we wanted to share the resources that are available to us on earth fairly, every person has 1.7 ha, 17000 m2 a year. Sadly, most of you reading, live above your means. With the level of consumption and prosperity, we're used to, it's almost impossible to keep these limits unless you do something different than the average.
The good news is that everyone can contribute to a more sustainable world. We have collected and listed 7 ways on how to live more sustainably and contribute to a more sustainable future. Nowadays there are so many alternative products that you can use to make your unsustainable daily activities more sustainable.
1. Avoid disposable packaging
If you have one nearby, go to a plastic-free supermarket or an organic supermarket.
Do you have to put each vegetable in individual small plastic bags? And how do you transport your shopping home? Take a backpack or a fabric carrier bag.
This applies not only to food but also when buying home decor, technical equipment or some other equipment. Also, think about the packaging in which it is delivered.
2. Watch what you eat
The biggest lever for a more sustainable life lies in our food!
According to various independent studies, for example by the FAO or the World Climate Institute, the largest source of greenhouse gases is factory farming. Over 30% of the land surface on our planet is already used for animal husbandry. Feed extraction is already the main factor for rainforest deforestation in South America and much of the drinking water is consumed by the more than 60 billion livestock we slaughter each year.
The amounts of meat we eat are not normal and natural. Compared to 1950, per head consumption has doubled, compared to 1850 even four times! If you eat more consciously, you are doing yourself well - your risk of cancer and heart disease decreases, your well-being increases.
3. Appreciate your belongings
Maintain and repair what you have.
Cautious and respectful handling can guarantee a longer lifespan of your things. This way you won’t only save money but also create less waste. It is difficult to find electrical products that are easy and inexpensive to repair. That is why more and more people are taking matters into their own hands. In repair cafés, clothing, furniture and electrical equipment can be repaired and patched yourself.
4.Sustainability in mobility
The transport sector is one of the main sources of CO² emissions. Drive less and smarter, switch to public transport or take your bike out. Also, airplanes emit a huge amount of dirty gases. Therefore replace short flights by bus or train travel. Give regional vacation a try. If, for whatever reason, you have to fly, take direct flights if possible. With every stopover, you have one takeoff and one landing more on your account, which increases emissions. Be aware of what harm your flight is causing.
5. Fewer things - more peace
And if you're not so sure about it, why are you buying it?
Minimalism is a great way to help the environment and yourself. It's easy to become far too focused on the belongings we own instead of our life experiences and who we are. Even if you slowly ease into a more minimalist lifestyle, it will still make an impact on the environment and the world.
The global value chains alienate us from the manufacture of the products. It often seems impossible to see what has been produced where, how and with what environmental impacts. Even fair trade and organic products still consume resources.
6. Support sustainable alternatives
You decide who you give your money to and what kind of world you support. Always ask yourself; do my consumer decisions increase or decrease the suffering on this earth? Focus on regional added value, organic quality and fair working conditions.
Some sustainable alternative products:
Steel safety razor instead of a plastic razor.
Soap and shampoo bars instead of soap in plastic bottles.
Wax food wraps instead of tin foil or clings film.
Reusable bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles.
Period cup instead of napkins or tampons.
Reusable makeup wipes instead of cotton wipes.
Bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic toothbrush.
Washable racks instead of paper towels.
7. Go green
Green energy comes from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, plants, algae and geothermal heat. These energy resources are renewable, meaning they're naturally replenished. In contrast, fossil fuels are a finite resource that take millions of years to develop and will continue to diminish with use. The more people switch to green electricity on their own, the faster politics must act and set the course for it.