How can consumers make better consumption choices to help preserve our planet?
The Earth, our very own planet, a home to approximately 7.8 billion humans. A place where we get to wake up daily, smell the fresh air, hug our loved ones, and carry out our daily routines - whatever that may be for you. Perhaps its commuting daily to a job that you so desperately despise but you can’t help but to stick it out as you have a family who depends on you. Maybe you’re a new mother just trying to keep your head above water, pretending you’ve got it all worked out but really the bags under your eyes are as sore as your swollen nipples. It could be possible that you work from home, love your job, and have the perfect home to work life balance, if so, well bloody done. Regardless of what a day in your life may be, we all live on this Earth together and we all need to make better choices if we want to wake up and smell the coffee for another day.
What is killing our planet?
There are many contributing factors to global warming, some much larger than others. We have all heard of a carbon footprint, but do you really know the size of your own? Have you ever actually considered what a day in your own life contributes to carbon emissions, plastic, water usage, oil, and mineral depletion? The list is endless. It may seem farfetched, but there are consequences to the simple daily routines of our human lives. We are all guilty of leaving the lights on, the shower left running, driving to the local shop when it’s only a 5-minute walk away, buying the cheaper product knowing it’s not Fairtrade because money is tight, and honey did you recycle those bottles and tins? The fact is, we can all do better!
The Earth is 4.5 billion years old, that is one old rock! Previous ancestors had lived throughout this time surviving on minimalistic lifestyles with the importance of food and shelter being above all else. The world now is a very different place to what it once was, there is currently 5.25 trillion macros and micro pieces of plastic in our own ocean. As a result, thousands of species have gone extinct with so many more currently threatened with habitation loss or are in maximum decline from overconsumption. Overfishing and plastic in our ocean is one of the largest problems we face today that contributes to killing our planet, the ocean itself makes up 71% of the Earth's entirety. The change has to begin with us, the consumers. We all know the things we do that we shouldn’t and these things, no matter how small, if changed will make a big difference. If 7.8 billion humans all made the change to a more sustainable life, the world would be a happier place. World leaders have seen this vision first hand and aim for sustainable development by 2030, at the heart of this vision are 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) which are aimed for all countries to act upon in unison for global sustainable living to be achieved.
Simple yet sustainable changes can be made in all our lives, no one is asking you to collect rainwater and have your own allotment of fruit and vegetables, but something really does have to give for our children and the future generations of humans to be able to enjoy the beautiful world that is our Earth. What can you change in your daily routine that will reduce your carbon footprint and help save our planet?