Lets Talk About Sustainability
If you have been reading my blog for a little while then you know I like to be ECO-FRIENDLY (that is the whole point of my blog after all)! There are so many ways you can be the environment's best friend, it's just a matter of deciding where to start and this blog post is your Number One Guide to sustainability, with steps to being an amazing hero for the planet. So grab your thinking cap and let's start with some etymology!
Step 1: Where Does The Word Come From?
The best way to understand a word is to work out where it comes from! First it's time to address the elephant in the room, there are many different meanings for the word sustainability but I am talking about environmental sustainability.
Sustainability comes from the Latin word sustinere meaning to endure. The end of the word (ity) means condition or quality of being. The word sustainability is used in a number of different ways in modern day language but when I use it I will most likely be referring to the environment.
Here are some examples of definitions for the word sustainability: (from the very handy dictionary)
noun [mass noun] the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level: the sustainability of economic growth | schemes to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. • avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance: the pursuit of global environmental sustainability | the ecological sustainability of the planet.
Step 2: Isn't It Hard Being Sustainable?
Loads of people will tell you it's not but it is (sometimes). It depends what you are doing, if you are just putting your leftovers in the food waste bin and turning the lights off when you leave a room then, although it can sometimes be hard to make it a habit, its not going to be to difficult (not saying it doesn't make a big difference though). But if you are doing a sponsored swim from the UK to Antarctica then ... well just don't do that (thats a bit too hard). The point I'm trying to make is that sometimes it's hard and feels like a chore but imagine how much better the planet will be after you have achieved your goal!
Step 3: Lets Be Sustainable
Okay, lets stop messing about. We need to know what habits we should change to be better for the environment so here are 10 ways to be sustainable:
Composting counts! Create a compost heap in your garden and compost leftovers and even packaging (check you can compost it first though).
Only buy sauces in glass jars! Those plastic bottles may be satisfying to squeeze but they are bad for the planet.
No AI! This may seem like an odd one but AI uses up so much water each year its hurting the planet.
Plastic bags, umm no! Take a bag with you to supermarkets and never use the plastic bags they have to offer.
Buy fruit and vegetables that are not wrapped in plastic.
Don't buy craft kits, they have more plastic packaging in them than is necessary. Get wooden beads, buttons and craft supplies at a craft store (remember use a paper or reusable bag!).
Reusable bags, are they good for the planet? Not really, only get one or two, they are plastic after all (unless you're using a fabric one!).
The ocean is a bin for all our plastic! Ummmmm, NO! Never throw your rubbish in the ocean. Always use a bin (Check if the item you are throwing away is compostable or recyclable before throwing in the bin).
Woop! I found the perfect braclet in the shop! Wait ... do you really need that? Make sure you think BEFORE you buy!
Treat the planet like a friend, you wouldn't harm or abuse your friend, would you?
Step 4: Action! Lets take action and save the planet, if we all work together we can make a HUGE challenge feel small!
That Is SO Many Options, I Can't Choose!
That's fine! Try to be sustainable when you can, remember you gotta start somewhere!
Further Reading
There are loads of blog posts on Curious Cat Conservation to try out and you can also check my resources page for books and websites I use for my research. Also try out my information sheets as they are full with fun facts!
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