Sustainability goals: what is realistic?
Sustainability doesn't have a "general" definition, but when considered from the perspective of someone trying to reduce their carbon footprint, we can assume it to be something like this: sustainability is used to describe something that has the capacity to continue at a certain level. For example, environmentalists might talk about sustainable energy, sustainable meat, or sustainable consumerism.
Sustainability is now used to describe areas of our lives, aiming for a greener future. We use alternative resources to avoid overexploiting natural resources. We also research and invest in lab-grown meat to reduce land use in animal agriculture. We also promote reusable household items to reduce consumer purchasing activity and waste accumulation.
That being said, changing one's life to become "fully" sustainable is not realistic. Why? Because there is still much research to be done, because not everyone's life can be significantly altered to accommodate more sustainable behaviors, and because many geographical locations lack access to the materials needed for exchange or rely on certain "unsustainable" practices for their economy.
When it comes to sustainability, what should we remember? How do we achieve our sustainability goals? In this blog post, we'll discuss some things we need to recognize to reach our objectives:
It's normal to be angry or sad.
Did you know that "eco-anxiety" is a real condition? Ecological anxiety is what it sounds like: anxiety about the consequences of climate change or the state of the environment. Many informed and committed people who are taking a stand against climate change by adapting to more sustainable lifestyles may feel sad, worried, or even angry. Why aren't other people making the same changes as you? Don't they care? This can feel difficult and may make you feel hopeless at times. But that's okay. You can only control your own actions. Sometimes there are certain things we need to come to terms with so that we can better focus on ourselves and how we live our own lives.
Not everyone wants to take a position.
It's sad to say, but not everyone would be willing to invest in the environment and take a stand like yours. As much as we'd like to say we're all in the same boat, we're not all on the same page. For many people, it's simply not a priority at this stage of their lives, or they're simply not interested.
Remember that your life belongs to you and you control it – no one else does. People may not like being told how to live their lives, especially since some more "sustainable" choices can be huge for some people. Just because we believe in doing good for the environment doesn't mean everyone else will! In this case, it's important to focus on our own actions rather than the actions of others, or even your own friends and family.
It's in the little things.
We don't need to buy a Tesla or abandon our nearest supermarket to build an entire greenhouse in our backyard to grow our own food. While that's totally cool if those are things you're already doing, many of us aren't at that stage or don't have the capacity to take those kinds of actions. Instead, many of us can only make small changes to start with. These exchanges can have a huge impact! While ditching your weekly takeout for a homemade, zero-waste meal might not seem like a big deal, it adds up over time. Try bringing a reusable cloth bag to the store the next time you go shopping! Or, if you're feeling adventurous, ask around the office if any of your colleagues are interested in carpooling!
Small changes add up. Every action can contribute, and who knows? Your small changes might even influence others to start taking action.
Take action and be an influence.
While we can't make anyone see things, we can certainly have an influence. You never know what kind of impact your choices might have on others! Maybe your colleagues saw you bring your lunch to work in a glass Tupperware container and were inspired to buy one of their own. Or perhaps you started cycling to school every day, and now your classmates or neighbors want to join you! When we all collectively cause a little less or even no damage to ecosystems, our actions add up. The best way to encourage others to take action is to do it ourselves, hoping that we can influence others along the way to join our cause.
If your friends, family, colleagues, or even neighbors are interested in switching to more sustainable options, consider hosting a viewing party for a documentary you both enjoy! Or perhaps volunteering together is more your style. If all your neighbors are interested, you could even create a community compost garden.
The options are endless, but one thing is certain: we will never achieve our sustainability goals if we don't act, and that action starts with you!