Earth Day Teach In

By Anonymous -

Sustainability, Every Day

From its simplified definition, sustainability is an economic and social development respectful of the environment. Its goal is to allow every human being to satisfy their social and economic needs, while preserving the environment (Brundtland Report). It is social because it fights against poverty, exclusion and inequalities, and responds to the basic human needs that are food, employment, health, housing, or even education (ref. Sustainable Development Goals). It is also environmentally friendly because it aims to preserve natural resources and ensures responsible management of the territories and the environment.

As a global issue, sustainable development calls for a change in the behavior of every citizen, but also governments and businesses. People have duties towards the planet on which they live, the community in which they live, and the environment in which they evolve. Thus, in our everyday life, we make actions, however small and unnoticeable, but that have a big impact on our environment and our social and domestic economy. Again, a banal action of everyday life is important in the sense that it takes into consideration the values of sustainability. At work, at home, cooking, shopping, in the car or in the streets, almost all activities are likely to be made in a least harmful way to the environment.

According to a  Pew Research Center survey the percentage of U.S. population (adults) who consider protecting the environment a top priority increased from 75% in 2008 to 85% in 2009. This increase shows that Americans have become more sensitive about environmental issues. A large majority of Americans (77%) helps support the environment as they go about their daily lives.
 
Considering the gender population, women recycle more than men do (79% vs. 74% in 2009). Among the U.S. population, more youth people are recycling than in 2002 (77% vs. 65% in 2002). 

Everyone can accomplish them very easily in their daily life: Turn off the lights, reduce water usage, alternative transportation, reduce waste, consume in a responsible way.  If you don’t know where to start your sustainability journey, here are some easy ways:

·        Make compost, or if you don't want to build your own compost heap, give your organic wastes to friends.
·        Move closer to work, or work at home when possible. This will reduce greenhouse gas from car travels
·        Reuse paper bags, envelopes, cups, etc.
·        Bike, walk, and use public transit
·        Use nontoxic cleaners. Borax, vinegar, baking soda, salt, and lemon juice are few of the many natural alternatives.
· Support local Fair-Trade businesses. Since company owners live within the community, they are more likely to care about the impact of their business on the community. They are also likely to donate to local charities and they minimize urban sprawl (Sustainable Baby Steps, n.d.).
·   buy “green” products: to identify these products, look closely to labels. These labels, called ecolabels provide a calculation of CO2 production derived from the creation of the product until its disposal (Sustainability For All, n.d.) They help us to learn about the environmental aspect of a product we want to buy. It groups various products; from clothing to electronic devices to cleaning products, hence the importance of understanding ecolabels.

 For those in the South Bend area, Zen Cafe  and Just Goods are examples of local fair-trade businesses you can support.

References

Sustainability For All. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.activesustainability.com: https://www.activesustainability.com/sustainable-life/how-to-use-ecolabels/
Sustainable Baby Steps. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.sustainablebabysteps.com: www.sustainablebabysteps.com/think-global-act-local.html







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