Living Sustainably, Since We May Soon Have N0 Choice
Weâve discussed how to live sustainably on this blog plenty of times â just check out the following links to see what I mean:
- https://suntexllc.com/earthly-innovations-to-celebrate-around-the-world/
- https://suntexllc.com/home-gardens-farm-to-table/
- https://suntexllc.com/managing-the-farm-home-gardens/
- https://suntexllc.com/right-to-capture-state-part-1-of-2/
- https://suntexllc.com/right-to-capture-state-part-2-of-2/
However, weâve really only mentioned the âWhyâ to this question a couple of times, so this week weâll dig a little deeper on why we recommend working and living sustainably, and just what it means to do so.
What is Living “Sustainably”?
To learn more about this movement and where it first began, we consult the help of UNICEF to explain what sustainable development looks like and how we can achieve it. Check out the link, here: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/guide-sustainable-living/35821.
The most simple definition I can think of is that âLiving Sustainablyâ involves consuming as little energy via fossil fuels as possible, to undergo your normal daily routines (I specifically mention fossil fuels here because if you use a renewable energy source such as wind, solar, or hydro-power, you can still live sustainably even if you consume a lot of energy).
Why Live Sustainably?
Climate change, climate change, climate change! If you havenât heard this phrase by now, you must be living in a hole, because newsrooms, science labs, classrooms, and the workplace â have all been inundated with this phrase and the insundry implications that accompany it. Take a look at our previous blog posts on the subject to get an idea of what Climate Change is, and why itâs occurring: https://suntexllc.com/?s=climate+change.
Living Sustainably is Cheaper
Though Iâve worked in green energy for a few years now because of my own personal desires to âmake the world a better place,â most people choose to âGo Greenâ because itâs actually cheaper for them financially! How is this possible? Read the following article to see why, however in many times the simple answer is that youâre using less, and choosing a more efficient means of producing energy for consumption when you do â Eco Friendly Home Improvements.
Living Sustainably is Greener
Of course, as I already mentioned, even if youâre a traazillionaire, and your goals do not include saving money, living sustainably is much greener, and therefore healthier for the environment. By using fewer fossil fuels, or using fossil fuels more sustainably, youâre actually reducing your own carbon footprint, thereby mitigating some of the greenhouse gases and other types of pollution in the environment, all on your own!
How can you measure your own carbon footprint? For the answer to that question, we turn to Nature.org to help us out: Calculating Your Carbon Footprint.
Living Sustainably is Cooler
While I donât always adhere to the latest trends, I do think itâs important to note that one common reason why people may paint the exterior of their homes, or adorn more and more Christmas lights in their display each year is the idea of âkeeping up with the Joneses.â Understandably, this thought might just make you cringe a little â after all, weâre all unique individuals living our own lives, right? Of course it can be a bad thing, if it leads to debt or buying things you donât need â check out the following article to see what I mean: Keeping Up with the Joneses is a Terrible Pursuit.
However this psychological phenomenon is something we are all guilty of to an extent, and while it can have some negative implications, itâs not always a bad thing. The following article explores where this phrase came from, and what it really means: How the Jones Effect Can Help Brands Better Understand Consumers.
Particularly as it pertains to not buying material goods, but living sustainably and minimally, this trend is one that can be helpful for your pocketbook, as well as de-cluttering your space and mind (see Marie Kondoâs method of de-cluttering your home and your life: https://konmari.com/about-the-konmari-method/), so I for one hope this trend remains for a long time, so that hopefully, we wonât be forced to live sustainably by climate change.