Why is it important to live sustainably in 2021?
Sustainably can be a daunting subject to get into first. There is a LOT of misinformation out there, as well as fear-mongering, and eco doom. I know when I first started along my zero waste journey two years ago, I was so inspired to learn as much as I could about my effect on the plant and how I could better my contributions; however, I wasn’t quite sure where to start.
As more and more humans wake up to the reality of our current climate crisis, it is vital that we are ALL doing what we can within our own lives and sharing information with those around us.
Today I thought I would put together a straightforward article to share 8 reasons why you should be living sustainably in 2021. If you are looking for motivation to finally start leading a more sustainable or zero waste lifestyle, this one’s for you. I will list the reasons here but read through the full article for a more detailed explanation.
Climate change is real
Natural resources are running out
The gap between socioeconomic status continues to grow
No one else will do it for you
Our quality of life depends on it
Collective initiatives lead to change
Late-stage capitalism is not sustainable
It is not too late
Climate change is real
There’s no denying the science on the direction our climate is going. Not so long ago there was a lot of resources saying that fluctuations in climate are normal, and that we didn’t have enough evidence to tell whether or not the temperature changes were ‘normal or not’. Well, for all the naysayers left, the UN’s climate report that was just released confirming that humans are causing a lot of this extreme weather by emitting greenhouse gases. So much so, that they deemed the current trajectory as a ‘code red for humanity’.
“A highly anticipated report by the U.N.’s climate panel warns that limiting global warming to close to 1.5 degrees Celsius or even 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels “will be beyond reach” in the next two decades without immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
I mentioned I want to avoid eco-doom while sharing information here, but it isn’t really. The severity of the situation is blatant and we have turned our eyes away for too long. Just go check the news and you will see story after story of the fires happening across the globe due to the increased temperatures.
Scientists and environmentalists have been telling us this for decades now and many of us have chosen not to listen. We continue to support our immediate needs and comforts instead of valuing the sustainable efforts of our home and future generations.
Natural resources are running out
Speaking of our immediate needs, the world’s supply of natural resources is running out. A lot of the problem is coming from the same place you get your two-day to door shipments over the course the pandemic. While Amazon claims to have a high standard for sustainable efforts, their continued push for faster, greater volume deliveries are significantly contributing to overconsumption and waste.
As a whole, our desire for more stuff, faster, and more conveniently goes against everything this planet has given us. You can’t grow a plant in two days let alone two weeks. The idea that our needs need to be met instantaneous and at a greater priority to the limited supply of resources our planet has gifted us is quite frankly, disturbing.
“Taking into consideration the current rate of natural gas production and current known natural gas reserves, we have about 52.8 years worth of natural gas reserves left. ”
Soon it isn’t going to be a luxury to choose to conserve these resources are not. The fact of the matter is, they are running out fast. Lack of natural resources will inevitably lead to worldwide war, famine, and death. It’s a pretty scary thing to think about. I urge you to read What Would Happen If the World’s Natural Resources Ran Out? for more details on this.
The gap between socioeconomic status continues to grow
The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer is a common phrase and reality of our world. The gap between affluence and poverty continues to grow as those with more hoard power, wealth, and resources, from the majority of the world’s population; exploiting the work and needs of those who have less for their personal gains.
The World Economic Forum published a piece titled Why income inequality is bad for the climate that explains the concept well. The split is causing greater inequality which fuels distrust, discontent, and right-wing populism. As the gap grows and individuals feel more out of control, their discontentment often leads to ideas that are often in line with selfishness and profit gains as opposed to focusing on the greater good of humanity.
In order to transition into a more sustainable society, we need to find a way to bridge the economic gap and shift our focus from self to the future of our planet. While this might seem out of your control, actively supporting the gains of wealthy individuals will continue to stagnate our future.
No one else will do it for you
All too often I hear individuals saying that it isn’t their problem, and it is up to those with more money, power, and influence to make the change. I ask you to think. Just because people are not kind, does that mean you shouldn’t be kind to them? Just because it is evil in the world, does that stop you from creating happiness and light?
It’s so easy to transfer the blame onto other people or circumstances. At the end of the day, you are responsible for your choices and the impact you have on the planet. When we find out the results of whether or not our climate efforts saved the planet or not.. do you want to be celebrating for participating or kicking yourself for not taking it seriously?
Yes, we need to advocate for others to change. Policy is a huge part of the change that needs to happen, but we also need to be on board to put forth effort ourselves.
“You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.”
Our quality of life depends on it
Cities across northern Canada continue to be evacuated as forest fires spread and burn through their homes. If this is not affecting you already, it will be sooner than you think. In as little as 5 years from now, there will be areas of the early that are no longer hospitable.
First it will be the air quality that will go. Then the heat, then more natural disasters from the rising temperatures and sea levels, then a lack of resources to help out affected areas, then the disease that will come from ancient microbes as the permafrost thaws out which will infect the majority of humans living in close proximity out of necessity.
“In five to 10 years, vast swaths of the planet will be increasingly inhospitable to humans. We don’t know how habitable the regions of Australia, North Africa, and the western United States will be by 2100. No one knows what the future holds for their children and grandchildren.”
Collective initiatives lead to change
It is proven that collective initiatives lead to change. The Harvard University political scientist Erica Chenoweth discovered that nonviolent protests achieve their goals twice as often as violent campaigns. The precise dynamics will depend on many factors, but she has shown that serious political change can occur if only around 3.5% of the population participates in non violent direct action. A small minority has the potential to change the world. Imagine what we could do if we all came together as a collective and took a stand for the future we want to see?
“The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved. ”
Don’t fall for the lie that you can’t make a difference. It is exactly the type of information that is continuing to lead us into a state of environmental emergency, and corrupt capitalistic control of resources. In 2021 it is more important than ever to get educated, reevaluate your true needs, and make changes accordingly.
Late stage capitalism is not sustainable
If you aren’t convinced by this point, maybe this one will get to you. Even if you are happy with how things are going for you currently with your lifestyle and job and the current systems of capitalism in place are benefiting your life, it won’t be staying that way for much longer.
The limits of exploiting unimaginable minimum wage worker standards for the profits of billionaires are not new, but with the connected digital world — harsh realities continue to be brought ot light. Poverty, homelessness, and the mental health crisis continues to escalate year after year as the socioeconomic gap grows. Even if you are able to afford your own home and fulfill your needs, you are likely feeling this pressure creep up on you. The vastly populated working class is becoming an all encompassing 99%. Alternatives to the capitalistic structure have been in talks since 2011, and will continue as the multiple job and burnout reality continues to set in.
This ‘limitless’ growth structure is coming to a limit. The climate crisis, and state of humanity is key proof of that.
It is not too late
“It’s just guaranteed that it’s going to get worse,” she told the press. “Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.”
We are in code red, but all of humanity is not yet doomed. The next few years will be our last opportunity to take a stand against the detrimental future that is looming. There is mixed opinions coming from environmentalists, and there will be continued consequences for our current inaction, but so long as we are living, there is still time to try.
This is why it is imperative we are ALL choosing to live sustainably in 2021, and educate those around us why they should be too. To advocate for systems of degrowth, green policy with consequence for inaction, and do what we can as individuals to live sustainably.
Hey, Claudia here
I am a senior graphic designer, a dog mom, an advocate for a zero-waste lifestyle, climate change, and sustainability. My articles are based on personal experience and well researched to give you the best source of information for all things zero-waste.