In my last piece, I discussed global climate change and how it impacts us. This blog will discuss some basic and tangible ways we can begin changing our lives to live more sustainably.
Sustainability means to use resources carefully, live within our means and to leave a thriving planet for future generations. The Three R’s are the fundamentals of living sustainably: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Below are some examples of how we can implement the three R’s.
1. Reduce
Reduce your consumption by:
- not buying everything on sale.
- taking a 10 minute shower versus a 15 minute shower.
- eating less meat.
2. Reuse
Reuse what you can, such as:
- a glass jar of peanut butter for leftovers.
- a stainless steel or glass water bottle.
- a notebook that still has blank pages at the end.
- an old cotton t-shirt to wipe up spills.
3. Recycle
Recycle anything that doesn’t have food waste. Most goods today have that little triangle at the bottom to let you know if you can recycle it. The very last thing you want to do is send things to a landfill where they will sit there and pollute the environment for months to thousands of years (if not indefinitely).
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
It’s important to know that individual actions can impact the world greatly. We need to remember to think globally and act locally. For example, picking up that piece of trash on your driveway can not only make your home and neighborhood cleaner, but will also reduce the pollution of our land and oceans and prevent fish or birds from accidentally consuming the trash.
The Three R’s are a broad way of viewing sustainability. Sustainability is all about long-term benefits. This will benefit your planet, your health and even your wallet!
I love sustainability