Shop Locally, Live Sustainably
WHAT IS SUSTINABILITY?
And Why Does It Matter?
In the broadest sense of the term, sustainability is the study of how natural eco- systems function to remain diverse and in balance. However, when we start to look at human ecosystems, sustainability becomes a bit more complicated.
As a species, we as humans have made the most significant impact on our planet and its resources, sometimes in very damaging and irreversible ways. Our relationship with our ecosystems is always intensifying, due to our ever increasing population and limitless pursuit of economic development.
The results are environmental degradation and climate change, increasing land use and consumer demands, and increasing production of waste. While all these factors engage with each other in very complex ways, it can be boiled down to this: too many people are living beyond their needs, which threatens the diversity and balance of our ecosystems.
Sustainability for us means meeting our own needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs. It’s about being environmentally conservative and socially conscious: keeping in mind however we innovate, consume, build and ultimately live have consequences and effects on everyone who lives and will live on Earth.
Pictured: Deforestation in Haiti, sourced from Wikimedia Commons
Some of these are things you can do on your own: take the bus, buy energy saving lightbulbs and appliances or recycling. Others might seem a bit less straightforward. In particular, ethical consumerism and waste reduction (rather than diversion through recycling) are often tricky to navigate. In a market obsessed with plastic, short product lifespans and disposability, how do we still meet our needs, and even wants, without producing unnecessary waste?
Ethical consumerism, also called moral purchasing, is the idea that we, as consumers, have the power to change industry. Why? Because money is power! Anyone who makes a purchase can vote with their dollar: choose what practices and companies you support, and which you do not. So vote for businesses that promote social responsibility, environmental conservatism and fair labour practices! Support the companies that are part of the sustainability solution rather than the problem.