Living sustainably has been a center of our attention in the past couple of years. I see so many people trying to change their lifestyle for a better future. Sustainable living means finding unsustainable or destructive practices and changing them for better ones.
I’ve noticed how unsustainable our lives are. Our lands are filled with our waste, because we consume a large quantity of products and frequently throw out objects. We travel or transport products with airplanes, ships and cars, increasing carbon emission produced by human activities. The weather is getting more and more extreme each year, it is hard to keep up with it.
So I tried to change my lifestyle a little bit. I started with reducing waste and buying from second-hand options when it is available. I learned to shop in bulk and to compost my food waste at home.
I am aware that there is so much more to be done to make this world a better place. I sometimes fall into inaction, because I don’t know what action actually leads to a more sustainable future. Do I choose to buy an ethically produced product to promote job opportunities to people? Or do I choose not to buy a new product, since the one I already have can still serve me? Do I buy organic food produced overseas or local food that is not organic?
Oftentimes there is no clear answer to what action is preferable. The world is a complex place composed of interrelated events. We might make mistakes, but the important thing is to keep on trying and keep learning to be better.
As you read this article, I want you to think: what do you think are the problems that we are facing now? What actions can you take to remedy those problems, so that the future generation can live a better life?
4 Key Areas of Sustainability
When I think about taking sustainable actions, I categorize them in four areas: Environmental preservation, Long-term economic development, Social Justice and Human development.
I want you to think about how our actual practices are destructive, unjust and unsustainable for each area. I also want you to imagine how you would want the world to be in the future.
Environmental Preservation
I feel like our planet is changing. Each year, we experience extreme weather-related events. In Japan, summer is so hot that I can barely do anything anymore.
It is all because of how we live our lives, depending on fossil fuel and over-consumption as an economic model. We use up resources, only to throw them out as waste.I have seen the landfill packed with all kinds of stuff: clothes, shoes, bags, electric devices, etc. and etc.
In the ocean, we see plastic waste everywhere we go. We have all seen the videos of sea animals suffering from plastic straws.
Our actual practices are harming the environment in so many ways that I can’t list all of them here.
I believe we can be more conscious about how our activities impact the environment. We are part of the ecosystem on this earth. I want to take care of the environment that we live in.
Long-Term Economic Development
Our living conditions are getting better, well, in some countries anyway. We can get so many things to elevate the quality of life: TV, fridge, smartphone. Food is abundant in stores. We can also travel to many places in a short amount of time.
As I mentioned in the environmental issues, our economic system is not aligned with nature conservation, however. The way we live our lives is making the planet vulnerable.
While certain countries flourish in the current economy, other countries suffer from huge debts and economic instability. Within each country, I see that the wealth is not distributed equally. Some people have way too much, while others don’t have enough to meet the month’s end.
I wish that the wealth and resources are equally distributed, so that people around the world can benefit from it. I also want our economy to not rely on over production and to be more focused on utilizing our resources well and reducing environmental damages.
Social Justice
We try to create our society more equal, where people don’t get discriminated against by race, gender, upbringing, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We are moving forward, but we are far from reaching the goal.
As a woman living in Japan, I feel gender discrimination in many places. Women are underestimated and paid less than men. We have a good health system in Japan, but contraceptive pills and abortion are still quite expensive, making it difficult for young women to access.
On top of that, we still don’t have a right for same sex marriage, discriminating many couples to form a family.
Our society also suffers from social inequality and rising income gaps between regular employment and part-time, gig work. We have social welfare, but we don’t feel like we can easily access it.
I want to keep working on making our society better for everyone. I want that for Japan and for all over the world.
Human Development
We want everyone to be able to access education, health care, and the welfare system. I appreciate that I had a great education and could challenge myself intellectually. I was also lucky to be able to live in different countries, learning about different cultures first hand.
I think that we have better access to information, but it has become harder and harder to find reliable information. We also spend an enormous amount of time scrolling on social media, wasting our time.
I like the availability of information and easy to connect with people around the world. I also don’t want to replace it completely with thorough analysis and critical discussions.
I also want free education for everyone, especially education is very expensive in Japan. It would be great if we can all access knowledge and technology to make our lives better.
Action Plans for Sustainable Future
Now that you have thought about what is unsustainable in this world and your ideal vision of the future, it is time to take action. Of course, we can’t do everything on the individual level, but we can try to change in the areas that are available to you.
Here are some of the examples of sustainable actions. I want you to make your own list of actions, based on your sustainable goals.
Environmental Preservation
- Organize or participate in local clean-up events to reduce litter and restore natural habitats.
- Practice and promote recycling, composting, and proper waste disposal to minimize landfill use.
- Conserve water by managing household usage and collecting rainwater for gardening.
- Reduce single-use plastics and opt for reusable products in daily life.
- Support and join tree-planting initiatives to enhance biodiversity and combat climate change.
- Use public transportation, cycle, or walk to cut down on carbon emissions.
- Host or attend workshops and seminars on sustainable living, energy conservation, and zero-waste practices.
- Advocate for and participate in biodiversity preservation efforts, such as wildlife protection or native plant gardening.
- Stop or reduce meat consumption to reduce pollution and cruel treatment against animals.
Long-Term Economic Development
- Support local businesses and entrepreneurs to strengthen the local economy.
- Invest in or advocate for renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.
- Encourage or participate in job creation programs, especially for youth and marginalized groups.
- Promote resource efficiency in consumption and production (e.g., buying less, choosing durable goods).
- Foster innovation by supporting or developing products and services that use fewer resources or are easily recycled.
- Advocate for policies that support decent work, fair wages, and equal opportunities for all.
- Participate in or support community-based economic development projects.
- Choose eco-friendly products and support businesses with sustainable practices.
Social Justice
- Support and advocate for fair labor practices and equal pay for equal work.
- Participate in or organize outreach programs that provide job training and eco-friendly projects for marginalized communities.
- Promote diversity, inclusion, and community participation in decision-making processes.
- Volunteer for or donate to organizations addressing basic needs like healthcare, education, and housing.
- Encourage businesses and organizations to adopt fair and ethical practices, including supplier diversity and anti-discrimination policies.
- Advocate for policy changes that support sustainability and equity at local and national levels.
- Foster environments where all voices, especially those of vulnerable groups, are heard in sustainability planning.
Human Development
- Promote and participate in educational programs and workshops on sustainability, health, and well-being.
- Support initiatives that improve access to quality healthcare, especially for underserved populations.
- Encourage lifelong learning and skills development, particularly in green jobs and sustainable technologies.
- Volunteer as a mentor or coach in programs that help others gain sustainable living skills.
- Advocate for and support equitable access to education and training opportunities for all ages and backgrounds.
- Participate in or support community health and wellness initiatives.
