We keep hearing about the somewhat enigmatic environmental impact pretty much everywhere. This whole talk is about shared responsibility, eco-conscious choices, green solutions and how it all affects emission levels and the environment itself. So, what’s the deal here? Do we actually have a say in the matter? Does it make such a big difference? It does to a certain extent. Perhaps not in the way it’s marketed or how we tend to understand it.
Bigger Problems
You may say that private jets cause more harmful emissions from the fuel they use up. You may say oil rigs cause far more catastrophic environmental accidents than plastic bags. You may say large corporations from all industries cause more harm than your daily choices as an individual. And you wouldn’t be wrong. It makes sense. There are bigger problems than your car, clothes and what kind of heating solution you’re using in your house. But that doesn’t mean we have no say in the matter.
Mindful Consumers
Here’s the thing. It’s a great time to be alive, especially if we look across history and think about the hardships previous generations had to go through. Which doesn’t mean we don’t have our own challenges in front of us. Because everything is a double-edged sword. Yes, it’s so easy to buy things now, but it’s actually too easy. They’re so cheaply made that they almost feel single-use. That adds to the list of our expenses (when it comes to clothes, for example) as well as the issue of waste. And while we can’t stop these companies directly from making disposable, low-quality stuff from synthetic materials that cost barely anything, what we can do is lower the demand. How? By simply making other choices. Think organic cotton towels instead of microfibre ones. Forget polyester, and forget regular cotton which requires ungodly amounts of pesticides and chemicals to grow. Often, these greener alternatives offer much better value as well – like an absorbent bath mat from natural materials.
It Takes a Lot
Another question you might be asking yourself is how much of a difference my heroic act of eco-friendly purchasing choice can make. And that’s fair. Because to influence big companies, we’d need a whole movement. So, in a way, it makes little to no difference. But that’s a very dark way of looking at things. Not a good perspective. Because there’s another side to it. Any change starts with a single person, doesn’t it? If everyone thought their choices didn’t matter, everything would stay the same. Forever.
Doing the Right Thing
We don’t actually need a lot to live. Reducing how much we buy and consume is the more eco-conscious choice. And don’t get us wrong – buy whatever you like but make sure quality is there. Try to buy local. Recycle, upcycle, repair, repurpose. Circularity is the way to go. And the best part is – it’s not that hard. It shouldn’t feel like work. You shouldn’t feel as if you’re making sacrifices on a daily basis. It’s a lifestyle choice – just like fitness. All you have to do is put in some effort in the beginning, and then that’s it. All the benefits come pouring in. You feel good because you know you’re doing the right thing for the planet. But there’s more. You’re actually doing the right thing for yourself as well, with all the potential savings.
