A friend recently asked me how we could meet this especially challenging and stressful moment by living more sustainably. As someone who has encouraged others to make sustainable choices for well over a decade, I should have had an answer at the ready. Yet, I found myself about to say “the hell with sustainablity; we have bigger things to worry about!” It was only after taking some time to process and reflect on this exceptional moment that I came to two conclusions. First, it is always a good time to live sustainably. Second, periods of disruption or crisis only increase the importance of making smart choices about our daily lives.
The Tao of Sustainable Living
If you’ve read this blog over the years or perused my book Choosing Sustainability: Your Guide to the What, Why and How, you know I view sustainability as a core value that can and should guide choices in all aspects of our lives. When we choose sustainably, we can improve our health, protect and help heal the environment, live more affordably and strengthen our local communities. So, it’s always a good time to:
- Grow or purchase organic food.
- Buy goods produced locally from local resources at local shops.
- Drive a hybrid or EV…or drive less.
- Choose green energy.
- Avoid toxins in food, plastics and other consumer goods.
- Support our local communities…and our neighbors in need.
Sustainable Answers to the Things Beyond Our Control
What about now? Inflation is on the rise, our personal data may have been compromised and the people who protect us from disease outbreaks, terrorism, fire, fraud, plane crashes, nuclear meltdowns and other catastrophes too abundant to list here (or even comprehend) are being fired left and right. And that’s the abridged version. In short, this is a scary time for anyone fully paying attention.
So, no, simply making sustainable choices won’t protect us from all of these incoming threats. But it could help us regain a sense of control over our lives and even break through the divisiveness that has darkened our doors in recent years. For example:
- As bird flu, tariffs and labor shortages in farming and the food industry make continued inflation in food prices more likely, we can benefit from growing our own produce, raising chickens, participating in a food garden, buying from local farmers, volunteering for an urban farm or exploring food sharing opportunities.
- As the national economy begins to look less certain, we can recommit to supporting our local economy, buying local (and foregoing the convenience of online purchasing) whenever possible.
- As critical services are threatened by arbitrary federal budget and staffing cuts, we can help those in need by volunteering at local aid organizations, donating to those organizations and seeking out other opportunities to support our local communities.
- As national environmental efforts are placed in jeopardy, our own sustainable actions are more important than ever.
- And as more and more people feel fearful, angry and vulnerable, we can work to build and strengthen community…even with those we once considered to be “on the other side.”
sustainablechoices.net 