Living sustainably is no longer a choice, it’s a must, and the onus is on every one of us to do our bit to protect our beautiful planet.
Put simply, we’re consuming resources at an unsustainable rate, and that means we need to radically reassess how we live.
When it comes to teaching our kids about sustainability, starting young is the best way to ensure it becomes second nature for the next generation.
We want our children to grow up with an eco-conscious mindset and to understand the importance of protecting our planet for generations to come.
While it’s important to lead by example on living a green lifestyle, we must avoid traumatising our kids with the ugly reality of climate change.
Instead, the focus should be on being kinder to the environment and teaching our families the best ways to live more environmentally friendly lives.
That means reducing the amount of energy we use and our demand for resources to feed, clothe, entertain, and house us.
There’s no magic wand approach, but here are 7 ways to live more sustainably.
7 ways to live more sustainably
- Recycle: It’s important to teach your kids from a young age the importance of recycling. And the best way to do this is to lead by example. Start by explaining what actually can be recycled, and maybe do a clear out around the house to encourage the kids to find items that can be recycled versus what can be reused and repaired. The Every Bottle Back Trinidad and Tobago initiative is a great way to get involved in recycling.
- Refuse: Saying no to things that harm the environment or add more unnecessary clutter to your life is something we all need to get better at, as it’s such an important step towards reducing waste. If this seems daunting, tips for getting started include refusing single-use plastic bags and straws, and bringing your own reusable items whenever possible.
- Reduce: Things you can start reducing now include energy consumption and food waste. To cut down on the energy you use at home, limit screen time, and unplug chargers and turn off devices when not in use. To cut down on food waste, we suggest you plan your meals before going to the grocery store and store all food properly so that it lasts longer. To reduce your family’s carbon footprint, you could carpool with friends and neighbours when possible, use public transport more, or walk or cycle.
- Reuse: When we talk about reusing, we mean breathing new life into everyday items. Not only does this reduce waste, but it will also save you money. There’s an element of creativity to this, but don’t be put off if you’re not particularly creative. You can upcycle and repurpose everything from clothes to toys, furniture, glass jars, and decorations. A home clear out will uncover some great items for reuse.
- Repair: As a society, we’ve become far too quick to dump things once they break or suffer even the most minor damage. But that’s such a bad habit to teach our kids, and it’s fuelling a terrifying depletion of the Earth’s resources. When something breaks or gets damaged, why not consider repairing it rather than replacing it immediately? Even if this means paying someone else to fix it, it’s still generally cheaper than buying a new one and, more importantly, it’s cutting down on waste.
- Regift: When done right, regifting is a very sustainable way to live and an excellent example to set for kids. You could start this Christmas and let the kids get involved in choosing items to regift to friends and family. Not only will it prevent waste from ending up in landfills, it also saves the valuable resources it took to make it.
- Grow it: If you can, growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and to live more sustainably. And it’s a perfect family activity which encourages kids outside and away from their screens. Even if you don’t have a garden, many plants and herbs can be grown in pots on your windowsills or on your balcony. So, what’s stopping you?