Sustainable living doesn't need to be complicated, difficult or costly. It's only in the last several decades that we have evolved to become a community obsessed with over consumption and waste. I can picture my grandparents rolling their eyes when they hear me talk of 'minimalism' or a 'plant-based diet'. That was just simply their way of life.
I have been a 'sustainability consultant' for 10 years ...but, I honestly didn't know the first thing about composting or the toxins in household products or what's wrong with fast fashion. It's like when they don't teach doctors about nutrition and wellness in medical school.
So what changed?
I gave birth to two kids.
Of course ask any mum and dad and they'll tell you that they constantly worry about their kids - what are they eating? Are they warm enough? Are they happy in school. I was no different.
But what struck me was that how could I be so concerned about their present but happily be a part of destroying their future?!
Ok, so that sounded dramatic - but it's true. Yes, I am one person, but so are millions of other parents. So what are we doing as parents? Sadly, not much.
Greta Thumberg is a good example to use here.
This 15 year old teenager has not only stirred the political giants from their slumber, but she has also given new hope to schoolchildren all over the world. It's time we, the parents, follow suit and get out act together.
1. Educate yourself
Blogs, podcasts, documentaries, books... there is no shortage of information. If you want to take it one step further, then I recommend you enroll in an online course. There are lots of free MOOCs that go over the basics of sustainable development. You can check out this one from Edx: the Age of Sustainable Development from Columbia University. There are so many resources you can access that help your child (and you) learn more about climate change. The NASA Climate Kids website is a good place to start and you can use the WWF Climate Change Resources if you have school-age going children.
2. Get your partner and kids on board
Once you know what you're getting yourself into and why, you'll need to get a few people involved, because truth be told, it does take a village. You will make changes to your home, your routine, your diet and all that may affect your partner, children, housemates, your parents, whoever you share your life and space with. I have found that it's always better to go step by step because your level of conviction might not match theirs.
Kids usually get pretty excited when you're ready to embark on a new 'project', unless it means eating a lot more veggies and lot less chicken nuggets! Watching a documentary with them and explaining to them why you're making the change will go a long way. You can also get them involved in so many different activities like helping you to make compost for your garden or shopping at the local farmer's markets.
3. Calculate your Carbon Footprint
You also need to know where you're starting out from. You'll be surprised to know that you might already be doing fairly well (perhaps you already cycle to work or don't eat red meat).
One way to measure how sustainable your lifestyle is to calculate your carbon footprint. You can access a free calculator online that will take account of how much carbon you emit from the where you live (energy and water consumption for example), work (and how you get there), eat (your dietary choices) and so on.
I recommend using the one from Carbon Footprint, it will ask you to fill up a questionnaire and then give you your results with useful tips on how you can reduce your footprint.
4. Make a Plan
Once you know you know what your current carbon footprint is, it's time to set a target you would like to achieve and then make a plan to achieve your sustainability goals. Start by making a list of actions you would like to take. I didn't do everything in one go myself. That's because like I mentioned before, I had to get my family on board, which meant that I had to go slow, so that it wouldn't rock any boats. In hindsight, that was the best decision I could take, even though sometimes it bothered me that I couldn't jump right into it. Choose your battles wisely.
There are so many things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint if you plan it out for the next couple of months. Here is one example you could consider:
Month 1: Go vegetarian (or at least eat more plant-based meals)
Month 2: Stop buying any new clothes
Month 3: Compost in your garden (if you can) or get a tabletop compost bin for your kitchen
Month 4: Clean your home with eco-friendly non-toxic all purpose cleaner.
Month 5: Make a donation to Kiva to support social enterprises working on climate change
Month 6: Plan a staycation this year or go on holiday by train!
5. Act Now
Do what you can, do the big things, do the important ones, but just start. As long as you have the right mindset, you know why it is important, and you know what you must do, the rest is easy. It doesn't matter if you don't have a stainless steel reusable water bottle or a pinterest-worthy collection of mason jars (I still don't!), just start anywhere. You don't need to buy any new gadgets, just use whatever is at hand.
The 40 Tips on Sustainable Living will help you identify exactly what you can do in your home, on your way to work or when you travel. 40 sounds too much, then just do these 5 and you've already made a HUGE difference as a parent.
1. Eat less (meat and dairy)
2. Buy less stuff (and quit fast fashion)
3. Use less (energy and water in your home)
4. Throw away less
5. Travel less (or at least more responsibly)
It's as simple as that.
I understand it can be difficult to do 'one more thing' when you're a busy, exhausted parent. We've all been there. It can also feel a little overwhelming at times, because we don't know where to start. But it's so important we start somewhere.
The other day, my 3 year old told her dad off for not bringing a reusable bag to the supermarket...and I've never been more proud of her as I was that day. I can only wonder what the future holds for her...but at least, I know she will never buy another plastic bag in her life!
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