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Live Lightly: A Starter's Guide to a Sustainable Lifestyle

  • Writer: Curry Forest
    Curry Forest
  • Nov 21, 2024
  • 5 min read

Sustainable Living

I want to go beyond the usual advice like buy less, buy local, choose secondhand, fix and mend, borrow and swap, choose quality over quantity, choose ethical brands, reduce packaging, compost waste, conserve energy, use public transport, and get a library card, and instead delve into principles that can inspire a deeper, more sustainable lifestyle. Once we define these principles, we can find simple ways to apply them in our everyday lives.


Here, I share THREE principles I hold onto to keep me committed to sustainable living, and ONE action.


We Are Interconnected – Even the smallest actions impact the whole.

Our daily choices have far-reaching consequences beyond our immediate surroundings. The inexpensive products we purchase can support exploitative labor practices, while the carbon emissions we emit disproportionately affect vulnerable communities around the world. Overconsumption of water, energy, or rare minerals can cause shortages that hurt marginalized groups who depend on these resources for survival.


Deforestation pushes wildlife out of their habitats, driving many species to the brink of extinction. Plastics and chemicals pollute our land and oceans, disrupting delicate ecosystems.


Advocate for sustainability that ensures fair access to resources for all, balancing environmental justice with social justice.


Ask Yourself: Do I care that the choices I make today affect people I’ll never meet or places I may never visit?


We Are Mindful – Cluttered spaces, cluttered minds, cluttered Earth.

When our physical spaces become cluttered, so do our minds, and so does the environment. Clutter creates mental chaos, leading to reduced focus, heightened anxiety, and a sense of disconnection from what truly matters. It can leave us feeling empty, and cloud our ability to make thoughtful, intentional decisions.


Every impulsive purchase comes with an enormous environmental cost through raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, or waste disposal. Our consumption doesn’t just harm the planet; it also impacts others, especially marginalized communities who bear the brunt of resource extraction, waste management, and pollution.


Mindfulness isn’t just about slowing down or being present. It’s about making intentional choices that align with our values and vision for a better world.


Ask Yourself: When I make a purchase, am I doing so mindfully, in alignment with my long-term values for sustainability, health, and fairness?


We Are Regenerating – It’s not enough to avoid harm. We must rebuild.

It’s not enough to simply avoid harm or refrain from overexploiting resources. True sustainability goes beyond minimizing damage. It involves actively contributing to the restoration and replenishment of the planet’s natural systems. We must focus on rebuilding, regenerating, and fostering growth that benefits both the Earth and its inhabitants.


This mindset requires us to advocate for sustainability that goes beyond fairness, striving for positive, collective growth. It’s about ensuring that all communities, human and non-human, can thrive now and in the future. By nurturing and strengthening our connections with nature and each other, we lay the foundation for a tomorrow that is truly better than today.


Ask Yourself: Am I fostering healing and growth that benefits both people and the planet?

Call to Action.

Now that you’ve reflected on these principles, it’s time to take action. Begin by choosing one principle to focus on for a set period. Over time, this may inspire both practical changes, some of which may be immediately clear to you, and a shift in attitude. Remember, it’s not just about what you do, but about taking that first step. Each action brings us closer to a more sustainable future.


Example: INVESTIGATE BRAND TRANSPARENCY: Certifications are powerful tools that help identify brands committed to sustainability and ethical practices. Each certification provides insight into the specific issues a brand prioritizes, whether it's fair wages, environmental conservation, or cruelty-free production.

By looking for these labels, you’re not only supporting responsible companies but also actively learning all the complex issues affecting our world, from sustainable sourcing and worker rights to reducing carbon footprints and protecting biodiversity. You’re contributing to a market shift where sustainability and ethics are the standard, not the exception.


Moreover, this practice empowers consumers to demand transparency and accountability from companies, encouraging a cycle of improvement within industries that can have a lasting impact on the environment and society.

Certifications for Ethical and Sustainable Practices:

Nonprofit Directories for Ethical Brands

Several nonprofits maintain databases or directories of ethical brands:

  • Good On You: A global platform rating fashion brands on their impact on people, planet, and animals.

  • Better World Shopper: Ranks companies across various sectors based on ethics and sustainability.

  • Green America: Lists businesses certified as environmentally responsible and socially just.

  • Ethical Consumer: Offers in-depth brand ratings on ethical performance (UK-based but covers global brands).


Government Resources for Sustainability

Governments also provide tools and resources:


Other Resources:

READ MORE:

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