Sustainability happens when we reduce our ecological footprint below the biocapacity of the earth.
Following these tips will help you do that.
“He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon little.”
– Horace
Essential Sustainability Tips
The following essential sustainability tips provide the basics for lowering your ecological footprint so that you can live lighter on the earth and not cause harm.
Know your footprint
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. All of the tips below will help you reduce your ecological footprint, but first you need to know where you are now, set a goal and plan for reducing your footprint, then measure again to see how you have done. Click here for footprint calculators»
Eat fresh food, mostly plants
Buying local supports your community and reduces freight. Buying fresh and seasonal reduces processing and packaging. Buying organic promotes sustainable soil and land use. Grow your own. Eat less meat – which has a bigger footprint than plants. Read more»
Buy less stuff
Making stuff uses a lot of resources and that impacts the environment. Think about ‘enough’ i.e. what you need for a sufficient life. Buy products that are well-made and durable, ideally second-hand. Consider renting or borrowing what you need. If you can, make your own. Read more»
Use natural products
Use natural products and avoid products that have hazardous, synthetic chemicals which don’t break down and can build up to toxic levels. Choose goods made from eco-friendly and renewable materials, such as sustainably harvested wood and organic cotton or choose recycled materials.
Transport yourself
Ideally you live close to work, schools and shops so that you can walk everywhere. Otherwise you could ride a bike or take public transport. Getting a lift to work with a neighbour will halve both of your emissions. You’ll be more self-sufficient and help slow climate change. Read more»
Renew your energy use
Reduce electricity use by having good insulation, buying high efficiency appliances, installing solar or heat pump water heating and using LED bulbs. Use renewable energy when possible e.g. an efficient wood-burner. Better still – generate your own clean electricity. Read more»
Waste not, want not
Nothing is ever really thrown “away” – it always goes somewhere. By buying less, avoiding packaging, recycling and reusing, we reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills where even biodegradable products don’t break down due to lack of oxygen or sunlight. Read more»
Look after the water
Clean water is a precious, non-renewable resource. Being water conscious helps reduce strain on municipal treatment systems and ensures there’s enough to go around. You can collect rainwater to water your gardens in summer and recycle your grey water to the garden. Read more»
Offset the rest and invest in nature
The environment needs reinvigorating for the long term. We need to renew the soil, clean waterways, clear contaminated sites, restore habitats, create wildlife reserves, control noxious animals and plant trees. Offsetting and Conservation projects will help do this.