What is sustainability? Why is sustainability important?

First, let’s define what sustainability means. The UN defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In other words, sustainability involves reducing harm to the environment now, while conserving natural resources, in order to maintain long-term ecological balance. There are three main areas of focus in sustainability.

1. Environmental Sustainability. This is the area we are probably the most familiar with. It involves using products and incorporating certain practices in our lives that have the least environmental impact. Pertinent issues include things like greenhouse gases, climate change, pollution, deforestation, and waste management.
2. Social Sustainability. The World Bank defines Social Sustainability as “the need to ‘put people first’ in development processes. It promotes social inclusion of the poor and vulnerable by empowering people, building cohesive and resilient societies, and making institutions accessible and accountable to citizens.” This area of sustainability encompasses social equity issues like human rights, gender equality, and labor practices.
3. Economic Sustainability. Economic sustainability refers to practices that support long-term economic growth of an organization without negatively impacting social, environmental, and cultural aspects of a community. It involves supply chains, responsible resource management, sustainable business practices, and fair trade. On an individual level, this can mean supporting local businesses, which in turn create jobs and supports the local economy.

How to live more sustainably

I’ve been asked what I think is the best or most important place to start a sustainable lifestyle, and that’s a difficult question to answer. There are so many examples of sustainability to choose from. Purchasing eco-friendly products is very important, but I’ve learned that the potentially bigger impact lies in what we don’t buy.

Minimize food waste

The data says the most important thing that individuals should focus on is decreasing food waste. Project Drawdown rates reducing food waste as the single most impactful climate action households can do. You may not know that food is the most common item found in landfills, and that 30-40% of all food produced ends up in the landfill, where it emits greenhouse gases as it decomposes.

For more information on the impacts of food waste and what you can do to be part of the solution, check out the Food Waste page.

Eat less meat

There’s a reason for the emergence of Meatless Mondays. The cattle industry is responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gases, far overshadowing the production of any other type of food. Additionally, clearing land for grazing is the biggest cause of global deforestation.

You don’t necessarily need to go vegetarian, but make an effort to eat less meat by adopting a Meatless Monday or eating at least one meatless meal per day.

Learn more about the serious consequences of the ever-growing meat industry here.

Decrease plastic use

As you probably noticed, most of the single-use items are made from plastic. While completely eliminating plastics from our lives is unrealistic, the further I have ventured into my own sustainability journey has led me to strongly feel that plastics should be phased out of every home as much as humanly possible. The reasons?

• Use of plastics bolsters our continued dependence on fossil fuels and the catastrophic damage the industry wreaks on the environment.
• The vast number of chemicals used to manufacture plastic are harmful to human health as well as that of the planet.
• Microplastics have been found everywhere on the planet, including the top of Mt. Everest, the depths of the ocean, and in clouds. They are also in all of us. We consume a credit card’s worth of plastic each week, and studies have found nanoplastics in our blood and more.
• Plastic is not biodegradable, and will take hundreds or thousands of years to break down.
• Plastic pollution is a real problem: it is projected that by 2050 the plastic in the ocean will outweigh all sea life.
• Only 9% of plastic is recycled, and the process is complicated and often expensive.

Learn more about plastic pollution and how you can reduce your plastic use.

Use greener transportation

I know this is one of those things that is often easier said that done. It might take some extra planning and effort, but try to walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation whenever possible.

When you’re in the market for a new car, consider buying an electric vehicle. Maintain your existing vehicle by getting routine tuneups and keeping tires properly inflated to maximize fuel efficiency.

Get more tips for sustainable transportation here.

Avoid fast fashion

The fashion industry is responsible for almost 10% of global emissions and is on pace to double by 2030. Americans toss an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste, or 2,150 pieces of clothing per second, into landfills every year. Studies have found that on average, clothes are discarded after only 7-10 uses!

In addition, almost 70% of clothing is made from synthetic materials, primarily polyester. This both continues our dependence on fossil fuels and exacerbates the microplastic problem.

Learn how to find sustainable clothing here.

Use your voice and your wallet

Engage in dialogue with your local legislators and vote for those that support climate action. Get involved in non-profits and other environmental organizations that you feel passionate about.

Use your power as a consumer and stop supporting companies that employ unethical business practices, that are chronic polluters, or exploit their workers. Buy from local businesses and those that prioritize transparency and green practices and materials. I know that in many cases sustainable products can cost more, so do what you can to support these companies. The more demand that is created, the more prices on eco-friendly products will decline.

More sustainable living tips

After learning about the environmental impacts created by our everyday items, you might feel an urgent need to replace everything in your house right this second, and if you have the time and means—and can do it without creating additional waste—go for it! But for many, taking one thing at a time is likely more feasible. Pick one area or product type to focus on first. If you’ve already addressed the aforementioned actions, or are looking for more sustainable practices, here are a few other suggestions to work towards zero waste.

• Find ways to repair, repurpose, reuse, donate, or recycle items instead of throwing them away.
• Switch to environmentally friendly personal care products.
• Purchase non-toxic cleaners, or make your own.
• Abstain from fast fashion and choose sustainable clothing, shoes, and accessories.
• Skip fast furniture, too.
• Modify how you heat and cool your home.
• Conserve water both in your home and in your landscape.
• Start with one room in your living space and do all you can to make that room more eco-friendly. When you finish, move on to the next.

Make it Simple

Final thoughts on sustainable living

These sustainable living examples may feel trivial and insignificant, especially on a global scale, but imagine the impact if we all adopted just one of them. Sustainable living is feasible for everyone—we just need to make the effort and find what works for us as individuals, households, businesses, and other organizations.

You don’t need to be perfect. The planet would benefit significantly if everyone modified some key behaviors rather than a small amount of people went completely zero waste. The more you make sustainable choices, the easier it becomes, the less you have to think about it, and before you know it, a new habit is formed. So jump in, and Let’s Go Green!