Nature is now reaping what mankind sows during decades of careless actions. Global warming is one of the biggest threats that our planet is facing nowadays, but there are still other pressing problems under the surface. Like its inhabitants, we have to learn how to heal our home because there is no other place to go. In our quest to help save mother nature, many believe that sustainable living might be the answer we have been looking for.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Current State of the Planet
Every two years, WWF or the World Wide Fund for Nature conducts a study focused on our planet’s resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems. For them, our relationship with nature changes as years pass by, and there are harmful factors today that were not present a few decades ago.
One example is our planet’s biodiversity that is being threatened now that there are extreme environmental changes. The main threats to today’s biodiversity are:
- Degradation and habitat loss that results in unsustainable agriculture, energy production, and watercourse fragmentation
- Overexploitation of species because of irresponsible fishing and hunting
- Land, air, and water pollution
- Climate change
The continuously declining state of the planet’s biodiversity is a threat to our ecosystem and our very existence because the benefits that nature gives us are now limited. This can lead to increased insecurity in food and water, which will result in the price surge of basic commodities.
Understanding Sustainable Living
In a nutshell, sustainable living is defined as living a lifestyle that reduces an individual’s excessive use of natural resources. It is also more commonly known as ‘net-zero living’ or ‘earth harmony living.’ People who live sustainable lives do their best to limit their carbon footprint by changing their shelter, consumption, diet, energy, and transportation methods.
Sustainable living means working to achieve natural balance while respecting the symbiotic relationship between humans and the planet’s ecology. Some people who practice this lifestyle believe that it will be challenging to achieve a sustainable planet while the world keeps on pushing towards industrialization.
Sustainable Shelter
Sustainable living encompasses a multitude of factors in our lives. People who practice this lifestyle do their best to limit their carbon footprint by changing their lifestyle. On a worldwide scale, housing is connected to roughly 25% of the greenhouse gas emissions we have today. To avoid this, people turn to sustainable shelters.
Generally speaking, these types of dwellings are made from sustainable materials and can emit a significantly lower rate of greenhouse gases. Houses like these use are built with materials such as:
- Bamboo
- Cellulose Insulin
- Compressed Earth Blocks
- Cordwood
- Insulating concrete forms
- Cork
- Reclaimed stone and brick
- Natural Rubber
- Natural Fiber
- Organic cotton insulation
Renewable Energy
Sustainable houses are usually stationed near a power plant that is capable of producing renewable energy. Some have their own solar panels or use solar power banks that allow them to convert solar energy into an electric charge. This can power electric gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. Aside from helping you save on energy costs, using solar energy also reduces your carbon footprint.
Another form of renewable energy is hydroelectricity which normally comes from dams. It can also be used in residential properties as long as there is enough water supply that runs at an adequate speed. To generate energy, this method uses an environmentally friendly group of water turbines. Single turbines can also be used for single-household hydroelectricity.
Sustainable Food
The amount of food consumed on a global scale impacts our water and land resources by 90%. One big thing that affects our environment is industrial agriculture which normally uses extensive pesticide, heavy irrigation, and fertilizer application. The effects of industrial farming include land degradation, loss of biodiversity, chemical leaching, and soil erosion.
To prevent further damage, sustainable living advocates promote purchasing and acquiring seasonal and local foods instead of conventional foods. The main reason behind this is that conventional food distribution is a source of high carbon emissions because of long-distance travel. On the other hand, seasonal produce can be easily accessed from markets that are stationed near farms.
Helping to make sustainable living possible are small-scale farms that use sustainable methods not used in industrial farming. These farms use nutrient cycling and reduced chemical-based pesticides. By buying foods straight from local farmers, you are helping reduce carbon output.
We only get one shot at healing the planet. If we do not act now, chances are we can lose the only place that we can call home. If everyone considered living sustainably, we would have the best fighting chance in saving Earth.
Tags: greenhouse gas emissions, solar power banks, World Wide Fund for Nature
