Practicing Sustainability

Britti Aryal 

We often hear the word ‘sustainability’ in our day-to-day life, but don’t often understand the extent of the meaning. We all hear about going green to support the environment, taking organic foods, following sustainable product brands, sustainable clothing, and many more. Yet, many of us do not know the actual concept and meaning of sustainability. The word has become so common that it has created a vast confusion about what truly is sustainable and what is not. Sustainability is the concept of supporting ecological and economic aspects of healthy and happy living. 

A broader understanding of real impacts on the environment is necessary for all of us to create a real impact and the sustainable practices make it happen. It presumes that the resources are finite and should be used conservatively prioritising the long-term consequences of resources. We humans completely rely on natural resources for survival. Ignoring sustainability can lead to greater exhaustion. Thus, understanding sustainability is very much needed to incorporate sustainable practices into our daily routine. 

Everyone needs to understand the role they can play in achieving sustainability. Small and simple switches can also make a huge difference. It all starts with a willingness to look critically at everything you do in your daily life. Once you incorporate the concepts of reduce, reuse, and recycle, you start becoming more aware of how much waste you are producing in everyday life, what kind of products you are buying, and most importantly, how you can reuse the things you bought, how you can reduce your waste. Then you start actively trying to make better decisions for the Earth.

Purchasing products that are made from sustainable materials like bamboo, cotton, and things that are easily degradable and don’t affect the environment now or in the future will help reduce environmental footprints. Making wiser food choices is always a better option. You have to look into your meal and think about where it comes from, how it was grown, how it was prepared, and most importantly, how it was packed. Then there are ways to minimise the waste. The small spaces around your houses can be utilised for growing your produce. Growing your vegetables not only saves money but also helps reduce fossil fuels. Supporting sustainable foods helps to create environmental balance. 

Planting trees and supporting conservation efforts is the best way to promote sustainability.  Planting trees in free spaces in our gardens and settlement areas not only helps reduce greenhouse gases but also protects and preserves natural habitats. Another impactful way for sustainability is sharing rides and using public transport when possible. Living close to your workplace contributes to lower carbon emissions while cutting transportation costs.  You have to make better sustainable choices to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for all. Cutting down on unnecessary water usage and turning off the lights and electronics when not in use helps to conserve energy. This can reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change. 

With time and much-needed critical thinking, thrifty living best serves sustainability.  Selling and donating unused and unwanted items gives the items a new purpose. It lowers the new production, reducing the waste. Cost savings from implementing such practices allow for a greater profit return. Sustainable practice has to become a more integral part of our daily experiences as it encompasses how natural systems work and limits overuse, reducing waste and yielding everything required for the environment to remain in balance now and in the future.  We must make the world a better place to live in, and practicing sustainability makes it possible.