A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
Eight Easy Steps to a More Sustainable World
We are all very well aware that the way we humans are treating this planet is unsustainable, yet we seem to be at a loss as to what to do about it. Traditionally we would expect our leadership to solve the issues, but obviously governments globally are failing when it comes to the environment; it’s simply too bad for the economy to be sustainable.
This means that, if we want to preserve our environment for future generations, we must take action on an individual level. This may seem daunting, you may be wondering how you alone can make a difference?
It is mostly just a mindset though. We are living in a consumer driven society, but as consumers we have lost control of our behaviour. By making some small changes in our daily lives, we can make major changes in our consumerist behaviour and live more sustainable.
Imagine the almost six million people, or 1½ million households, in Singapore taking the eight small steps outlined below. This alone would guarantee that our city will remain the liveable and sustainable metropolis it is today.
1) Think and Reduce
The 3Rs concept has been around for a while and so everyone knows they should: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Few of us do, however. Not because we don’t want to, but simply because we tend to live our lives on autopilot. Bombarded with advertisements 24/7, we buy stuff impulsively — most of which will end up on the ever growing stack of junk cluttering our apartments. An easy first step to take is think! before you buy. Besides food and other necessities for daily life, 90% of what we buy is unnecessary; it’s want versus need. So just reduce the amount of stuff you buy. By buying less, you will actually increase the (personal) value of the things you do buy.
2) Reuse (and Recycle)
Reusing is harder. For the past century we’ve been brainwashed into believing that new is better, but is it? If something you own breaks, but is fixable, get it fixed. Not only will you help the environment by doing so, you’ll also be helping the local merchants at risk of being put out of business by multinational conglomerates.
Recycling is not that hard, but the government has a role to play in putting systems in place. If these systems are in place, recycling it is just something you do, it’s not that much work to separate your garbage.
3) Eat seasonal and local
Because we’ve gotten used to food from all over the world being available to us all of the time, most of us have forgotten what food is actually local to us and what the seasons for them are. Relearn when foods are in season and where they come from. This way we can better choices and, as an additional benefit, rediscover the joy of looking forward to something seasonal.
4) Eat less meat
You don’t need to become a vegetarian, but eating a bit less won’t hurt anyone.
5) Filter not bottled
Water is essential, especially in a humid area like ours, but water bottles are not. Bottled water may taste better and be more convenient, but the bottles need to be recycled or otherwise disposed off. Why not get yourself a reusable water-container and install a water filter on your tap or refrigerator. It will help you to cut costs as well.
6) BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device)
Bringing your own device is already popular at schools, but I don’t mean electronic gadgets here. Instead I mean bringing your own bag to the shop, like many of us do already, or your own mug to get your favourite take-away coffee. This is a trend started in the US and now excepted by most major US chains, why wouldn’t we try to train our own retailers in the same fashion.
7) Unplug
We all have multiple electronic devices that need frequent recharging, but what few people realize is that the chargers of these devices continuously suck up electricity when plugged into an outlet, even if there’s no device connected to them. Combine this with all the clocks and lights on our stereos, microwaves and coffee pots which are always on, and we can argue that our apartments are suffering from a serious case of “vampire” energy consumption. So unplug and safe some serious energy otherwise wasted.
8) Use public transport
Singapore has created an amazing public transport system, which is accessible, efficient, convenient, sustainable, and at the same time affordable. If you are one of the very few not yet taking the MTR, bus or LRT for your daily journeys, then get yourself an EZ-Link Card and jump on board.
Chapter 64 of the Daodejing states that, “A journey of a thousand miles starts beneath one’s feet”. Let us take the first step, to begin with awareness and think!
[T]here you are.
