In a recent Collaboration with Ere Perez, I was asked to write up a little speel on living mindfully and sustainably, and how we as a family are creating changes within our home and lifestyle to lessen our carbon footprint. So Ere we go…. see what I did there..
At what point do we look around and realise our day to day habits have become unsustainable? When did we swap out effort and ethics for convenience? If we all continue on this path, It is estimated in 3o years seafood will be no more.. And the number of species gone extinct will far surpass the 46,814 recorded this year, the plastic soup accumulating in our oceans will be so much more than the 24538856.99 + kilometres that is already floating in our planets watery lungs, the very place our oxygen comes from.
It is estimated we currently need 1.7 + planet earth’s to provide resources and absorb our waste.
We are abusing our only home, the only place that can keep us alive.. and my children especially my eldest is very aware of these happenings. How embarrassing to hand this mess over to the next generation.
But, I’m here to tell you we don’t have to! It is never too late to change and every contribution we all make no matter how big or small most definitely dictates the end result and the future we leave behind for subsequent generations.
For us, we have made a point of replacement strategy.
Once something runs out, replace it with the eco friendly version. Eg. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, rubbish bags, nappies, just everyday general living items …and there is ALWAYS an eco friendly version, trust me! If your ever stuck start googling my friends. This strategy is simple, effective and not going to clean out your bank account all at once. Also start learning about all the common household and beauty products you can make with simple natural ingredients at home.
Opt for more meals consisting of whole foods, plant based if you will, not only do these foods generally come unpackaged but even implementing a few meat free days per week has huge beneficial effects on both you and the planet.
– did you know livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (cO2) per year or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions as well as the farm run offs flowing through rivers and then into our oceans causing numerous dead zones.
Remove chemicals from your home.. there are so many chemicals we come into contact with daily there’s no wonder diseases like Cancer are rampant and only becoming more common. We spend so many years, Inhaling these chemicals, applying them to our bodies and faces, consuming them and generally living amongst them. This is why I love Companies like Ere Perez who make incredible natural makeup with no loss of quality.. in fact in my opinion a much higher standard than most top brands. The ingredients in Ere Perez actually benefit your skin health and will not create skin issues or age you prematurely.
– did you know in 2005 EWG found an average of 200 chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cord blood of infants born in the US and in 2010 it was recorded girls were hitting puberty at 10.5 years of age – an average of 6 years younger than they did in the 1860’s – all chemical induced.
Delegate your rubbish! We’ll start with composting, we have been composting for a while now and we could not believe the reduction in household waste. We have reduced our waste by 70% at least and on rubbish collection day our wheelie bin is only ever a quarter full.
Cans and bottles! Take these to a collection centre, not only do you get paid but you get the satisfaction of knowing exactly where they’re going and whats going to happen to them.. no sneaky landfill dumps for these cans and bottles!
Soft plastics – Anything you can scrunch up in your hand, glad wrap, confectionary packets, plastic shopping bags.. you get the point.. Most large supermarket chains have a collection bin in store for these, save them up in a bag all week and when its time to do a shop take them in and get rid of them… The right way! All other plastics chuck straight into your recycling bin.
Lunch time! Take into work with you re-usable cutlery and containers either filled with food from home or take them into your usual eatery and ask them to use your container instead of their disposable versions. Use a keep cup for your takeaway tea & coffee or a simple mug from home. Implement reusable food wrappers and bamboo or stainless steel straws if your that way inclined.
“ It was only one straw said 8 Billion people”
Dress Smart. Be ware of “green washing” a fraze used when a company indicates their clothing is more consciously made and sustainable than it really is.. mainly used by larger businesses with hefty carbon footprints. Instead I challenge you to shop small, go for ethically made items and opt for clothing made out of Hemp, Linen, cotton and wool. Not only will these last you longer but they are the kindest to earth. You may find these fabrics a little dearer but I promise you they will not pill after one or two washes! Years on you should still have these items still going strong.
“Buy less, Buy better.”
These are but a few ways you can start living consciously and although it can seem overwhelming at first once you start it will soon become habit, just part of a normal healthy life.
Remember, in the end during this crisis of our planets health, the best things we can do is educate ourselves and our families so we can all strive for the same goal – restoring our planet to its former glory.
Seek knowledge, seek eco friendly products and sustainable living habits and act accordingly, encourage your children to live consciously as this is already their planet. We are just here to teach them how to take care of it and reverse many of the idiotic choices past made.
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
– Ancient Proverb.
Steph. x
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