Sustainable
1. able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
“sustainable economic growth”
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- conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources.
“our fundamental commitment to sustainable development”
- conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources.
2. able to be upheld or defended.
“sustainable definitions of good educational practice”
Does the word “sustainable” ever bring a frown on your face???? If you answered “YES”, then you know what impact we as humans are causing to our environment. If the answer was a “NO”, then you need to reconsider your choices! The fact that we are at a point in our lives where we have to use the word sustainability, makes us clench our teeth harder. It actually reminds us of a quote that we read recently by our very own Mahatma Gandhiji – “ Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed”
So at this point in our lives, we all really need to ponder over some of the questions below:
What have we done to our planet, that was meant to maintain ecological balance? Have we bought this on ourselves by causing an imbalance? Can we make this ecosystem sustain? What can we do to help make this make a better place for our future generations?
Now that our thinking cap is on, let begin with what we can do:
For all those ruminating, about how we can be the change – here are a FIVE simple and straightforward ways to help sustain us as well as our ecosystem:
- “NO” means NO:
This first step to being sustainable is refusal.
We Indians, have always been taught not to say no – luckily this seems to be changing for the current generation but saying no has always been considered rude, but when you know saying this negative expression can impact our environment in a positive manner, then a “NO” causes zero damage. Here is a list of ways/places where you for sure can nod your head for a change:
- Saying no to single use plastic bottles – at weddings, meetings, conferences, master classes, restaurants, airports, airplanes, trains etc
- Saying no to receipts – refusing the customer copy of your bill in malls, grocery stores etc
- Saying no to single use plastic covers – return gifts bags at weddings and birthdays, wrapped produce, wrapped bakery goods etc
- STOP BEING INFLUENCED:
Social media has made life very transparent and given a voice to every soul. We have visual access to the tiniest cell in our lives, which lures you into wanting everything you see, even if its not in your necessity list.
The only way to curb these influences, is to stop buying or wanting anything and everything that comes out. Follow this checklist, before you make those impulsive purchases:
- Check if it is a necessity?
- Check if you can make do with what you have?
- Check if you need a brand new one or can you make do with a second hand one?
- Check if you make it yourself?
- Check if you can you buy it locally?
- Check what is it made of?
- Check if it’s in your budget?
- Check if the product will bring in unnecessary costs?
- Check if it will last longer?
- FINALLY, check if its making a positive impact on the environment?
This checklist really helps you save your personal space and also mother natures real estate from being abused.
- BE THE CHANGE:
Sustainability in this day and age is a journey by itself. In this long journey ahead you discover yourself first, then the surroundings and find a way to amalgamate the two. Be that uncommon thinker – this will not only help you stand out, but unknowingly you become an example for people around you. Here are a few things to follow for all you thinkers:
- You, yes you, believe that you can change. Believe that the initiative that you have taken to be unique is making a difference.
- Forseeing the future is hard, so take care of this present and the future will take care of itself.
- No matter how often you feel alone in this journey, remember slow and steady wins the race.
- Remember in this journey, we all tend to forget and make mistakes because “To err is human” – but ensure you do not make those mistakes/ help others realize their mistakes, that can be taxing to the environment.
- To be “Rare” is not easy but to be “Rare” is beautiful- often you are ignored at first, but with persistence you can win over.
- USE THE R’s:
This letter R is magic in every sense of the way when it comes to sustainability. Along with this when you add the letter ‘E’ next to it, it becomes a prefix called “RE” – which means again and again indicating repetition. There are so many words that start with this prefix and I will list some of them below that immensely help with the circular economy:
- Recover
- Rethink
- Reuse
- Reduce
- Refuse
- Recycle
- Refurbish
- Regift
- Repair
- Rot
These R’s are important, above all this the one thing that we all tend to forget which is being “Respectful” – to you as well as your surroundings.
- GOING OLD SCHOOL:
One of the biggest things to keep in mind while being sustainable, is to revert back to the olden days of living life. Also, looking around to find things that can help your daily life is a great way to become eco-wise. Below are just some of the way we can go old school:
- Buy fresh unpackaged groceries – farmers market is a great choice
- Create a compost bin for your food
- Use solar energy wherever possible
- Stop using single-use items
- Reuse and repurpose wherever possible
- Make you own