The truth about living sustainably
Climate scientist and author Peter Kalmus was arrested after he locked himself onto the entrance of JP Morgan Chase, one of the biggest investment banks responsible for funding new fossil fuel projects. Together with equally impassioned groups of scientists and climate activists, they protested for climate justice, decrying the continuous funding and burning of fossil fuels.
For decades, scientists like Kalmus have been warning us of the detrimental effects of our actions on the environment. The science has been clear and overwhelming: our unchecked consumption, like the use of fossil fuels, is leading to a climate emergency. If inaction persists, we may be at the precipice of irreversible loss.
This is particularly relevant to the Global South, including the Philippines, which has been disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. Aside from the increasing global temperature, we have been experiencing extreme weather events, sea levels rising, disruption in ecosystems, and even loss of biodiversity.
One of the many ways climate activists are addressing this massive problem is through living sustainably. In 2012, a decade before he chained himself onto a bank, Kalmus decided to give up flying. He realized that flying was so carbon-intensive in his life that it made up three-quarters of his carbon emissions.
The UN Environment Programme defines living sustainably as “understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world around us and finding ways for everyone to live better and lighter.” It’s different for each of us: it may be completely breaking up with planes, avoiding single-use plastic, or even living a zero-waste lifestyle.
Living in harmony
Sustainability is a commitment to living in harmony with the environment. It means adopting a way of life that generates less waste and carbon footprint. It can be as simple as being mindful of our consumption and using reusable materials. Even avoiding takeout orders, which generate a lot of waste, can be a good start in pursuing a greener life.
Our current system necessitates a sustainable lifestyle but simultaneously complicates its adoption.
The main goal of living sustainably is to ensure that we meet our present needs without sacrificing the future of the next generations. It’s shifting into a more conscious way of living, recognizing that our resources are finite. Indigenous communities and their reverence for nature can teach us valuable lessons about living sustainably within our environment.
Traditional farming like rotational agriculture, a strategy that alternates crops and livestock on the same land over time, is said to increase the overall health of forest and jungle ecosystems. According to the “Challenges and Opportunities for Indigenous People’s Sustainability” report, published by the UN, traditional agriculture is critical for the mitigation of global warming.
Aside from sustainable practices, the long history of resistance of the Lumad and Igorot communities against land encroachment can teach us important wisdom on protecting our land. Recognizing the reciprocity of our relationship with our surroundings is vital to living sustainably. We must learn to protect the earth that’s been providing for us.
Expanding the conversation
The idea of a sustainable lifestyle is not new; the increased awareness of environmental challenges has simply amplified its public discourse. We see its promotion on various online communities with influencers extensively talking about its importance and the myriad ways we can practice it.
At one point, to lessen our carbon footprints, we were even asked to delete our emails in bulk. While steps like these are essential, our conversations should expand into how our climate crisis is exacerbated by our current system that prioritizes the generation of profit over the well-being of our planet.
Individualized solutions will not be enough to address systemic problems. Fortunately, various local government units in the country are taking extra steps in mitigating our environmental problems.
It is the same system that necessitates a sustainable lifestyle but simultaneously complicates its adoption. There is no doubt that most of us would want to avoid plastic, especially knowing its effects, but because of poverty, the majority of us can only afford our necessities in sachets or small packets that contribute to our country’s worsening plastic pollution.
Our climate crisis does not exist in a vacuum. Wanting to embrace a greener lifestyle is one thing, but actually doing it is a completely different battle. Because of how capitalism unequally distributes resources, and therefore our access to sustainable choices, sustainability is an option that only few can afford.
Beyond individualized solutions
As much as we recognize the importance of living sustainably, we also understand that most of us have limited choices. Embracing a sustainable lifestyle in our status quo is a privilege. We can try and lessen our carbon footprint by walking or riding a bike, but if our roads continue to be largely designed for vehicle mobility, we can only do so much.
Individualized solutions will not be enough to address systemic problems. Fortunately, various local government units in the country are taking extra steps in mitigating our environmental problems. For instance, Iloilo City is dedicated to developing walkable and bike-friendly communities. By building infrastructures that take into account our environment’s well-being, it’s much easier to embrace a sustainable lifestyle.
Likewise, Quezon City and San Juan City launched programs that designate sari-sari stores as refill hubs for basic commodities such as liquid detergent, fabric conditioner, and dishwashing liquid. For a country dubbed a “sachet economy,” steps like these are extremely vital.
A problem as urgent and big as our climate crisis can often feel overwhelming. But with our collective efforts, paired with systemic changes, we have enough reasons to hope and work for a better and sustainable future.
