Sustainable Living

Sustainable Living:

Sustainable living describes a lifestyle which reduces our demand on earth’s natural resources by making sure that we replace what we use to the best of your ability. Sometimes that can mean not choosing to consume a product that is made using practices that don’t promote sustainability; and sometimes it means changing how you do things by adopting actions for sustainable living.

On the surface, it can be incredibly daunting to reduce our environmental footprint, especially when you see others around you are not doing their part. But when you break it down into small steps, you realise you have more power than what you thought.

We all know that climate change, global warming, depletion of ozone layer and resource depletion are real and their impact on human and animal lives can be devastating. It is an opportunity for us to adopt actions for sustainable living that can help reduce the carbon footprint or environmental impact by altering our lifestyle.

There are many ways we can define our steps for sustainable living, few of them are listed below:

1. Reduce air pollution: Conserve energy – at home, at work, everywhere. Carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible.
2. Sustainable Fashion: Buying cloths and other accessories that we need and use them rather filling the wardrobe without using. Invest in better quality items that last longer, slow fashion trumps fast fashion. Support fashion brands that are ethical and environmentally conscious.
3. Ditch Plastic: It takes millions of years for plastic to decompose, it never goes away which is impacting natural habitat in many ways. Its time for all of us to switch to reusable bags when we shop and ditch one-time use plastic covers, water bottles etc.
4. Buy products with less packaging: Keep track of unwanted plastic you get home and which goes to your dustbin and from there it goes to landfills. Plastic not only contaminate the environment, but also pose serious health effects to humans and animals.
5. Use efficient lights and daylight as much as possible: Sunlight is free and doesn’t cost anything. Using sunlight during the day helps to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to produce electricity and your bulbs and tube lights are going to last longer. Using longer lasting, energy efficient light sources (LED lighting or CFL bulbs) also reduces the amount of waste going into landfills significantly. Choose renewable energy like solar power to the extent possible.Unplug the devices when not in use.
6. Start using natural cleaners: Take an hour or so to research some home-made options for natural cleaners. Vinegar and water can clean most surfaces. Soap nuts can be used to replace chemical soaps and shampoo, is a natural laundry detergent and for kitchen cleaning. By using natural cleaners you are reducing the amount of plastic packaging being made, and the amount of chemicals that are being introduced to the water system.
7. Reduce food waste: Keep track of food what you throw away, there is lot of effort behind the food we eat: growing, harvesting, packaging, transport, storage etc. Find ways to store the food properly. Cook what you need and consume it on time.
8. Kitchen Garden: Check the possibility of growing own greens, vegetables and fruits by composting kitchen waste. Start with growing greens which are easier to grow.
9. Save water: Use water saving flow restrictions for the taps, showers at home. Avoid running taps when you are not using water. Check water leaks. Consider reusing water drained from RO filters.
10. Practice Minimalism: It doesn’t mean living without anything, it means that you are making sure that everything you own and use is put to its maximum purpose. With a minimalist lifestyle, you will recycle more, and be more mindful of the items you support being produced so that sustainability is emphasized.