Sustainability and making eco green lifestyle choices

The Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of sustainable development: “Environmental protection does not preclude economic development and that economic development must be ecologically viable now and in the long run”.

U.S General Services Administration’s definition of sustainable design: “Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste and create healthy, productive environments”.

The President’s Council on Sustainable Development’s definition of sustainability: “America’s challenge is to create a life-sustaining Earth, a future in which prosperity and opportunity increase, while life flourishes and pressures on the oceans, Earth and atmosphere diminsh”.

Robert Gilman, President of the COntext Institute and Founding Editor of “In Context- A Quarterly of Humane Sustainable Culture, defines sustainability at a macro-level. “Sustainability is equity over time…think of it as extending the Golden Rule through time…Do unto future generations as you would have them do unto you”.

The key thought in almost all of these definitions are, conserving, recycling and reusing; they are the most important components of sustainability.

Sustainability at the individual level is, leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle. The term ‘sustainability’ by itself means, “A state or process that can be maintained indefinitely”. In an environmental context, sustainability means, the longevity of vital human ecological support systems. In simpler terms, sustainability means, being environmentally friendly by using the planet’s natural resources in a manner that does not deplete them faster than nature can replenish them.

The concept of sustainability is a new one and its definitions are still being developed.
In a broad sense, sustainability is all about how to make human economic systems last longer and have less impact on our planet’s ecological systems. That brings us to the 3 principals of sustainability – People, Planet, Profits. Sustainability does not focus only on the environment simply because our planet’s ecological systems are influenced heavily by the most predominant life form – human beings. People use natural resources for comfort and in the long run for profit. Therefore, when talking about sustainability we need to consider all the three principals.

This fruitful connection would mean, in very simplified terms, that People use the Planet and its resources for making Profits in a way that leaves enough for our progeny to do the same. However, what we are witnessing today, globally, is the complete opposite of sustainability – instead of leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle, we are being ‘hostile to out environment’ by using up more than our fair share of resources, by using more wood to build our homes, more energy to light up our buildings, polluting our atmosphere without a thought and using more water than we really need. We are withering away our natural fortune…. not many planets have what we have. The result, our rainforests are dying, our water-resources are drying up and our winters are getting shorter.

In every day life it will mean making a change in the way we live, right from the way we construct our towns and cities to the way we discard plastic and buy environmentally friendly products, switch off lights when leaving a room and use solar power to heat water.

Each one of us can lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle and make a difference.

Most people re-cycle, a growing number of people are becoming aware of the need for harvesting rain water and re-using gray water. Increasing energy bills are forcing people to look for energy-saving measures. Increasing number of landfills are carrying toxic or chemical household waste (batteries, anyone?) and the will to improve ambient air quality for better health is making more and more people opt to buy environmentally friendly products over more harmful alternatives.

These seem to be the popular choices we make, but there is a lot more you can do, to heal the planet, improve your relationship with the environment, and leave a healthier earth for our future generations. Here are some sustainability tips for you:

At Home

• Consider a ‘Green home’ if you are planning to buy or build a new one. If you are planning to remodel an existing one, seek advice on how to make it ‘greener’.
• Use recycled building material, re-cycled glass and non-toxic insulation.
• Plan for using solar energy for heating and lighting purposes.
• Use CFL light bulbs instead of the regular ones.
• Use as little plastic as possible, plastic is tough to re-cycle and makes for toxic landfills.
• Start a compost heap – you can do it in your backyard and keep your plants happier with organic manure instead of expensive, poisonous chemical manure.
• Learn the ‘5-Minute Shower’ routine – you can save gallons of water.
• Buy environmentally friendly products whenever possible.
• Use low-flow lighting to save on energy bills.
• Install an oxygenic showerhead and a dual flush toilet.
• Unplug all appliances when not in use.
• Use re-cycled paper for household needs.
• Save energy by washing clothes in cold water – they will come out just as clean.

At Work

• Make re-cycling a matter of policy. Use recycled paper, re-cycled computers, furniture and equipment. Recycling is being smart and being environmentally friendly.
• Unplug computers, copiers and fax machines when not in use.
• Switch off lights when leaving a room.
• Keep a check on the thermostat – no higher than 68-70 degrees F in winter and no lower than 75 degrees F in summer.
• Look for electronic office equipment that uses less energy.
• Hibernate your computer when not in use; unplug your laptop when lying idle.
• Reuse internal documents.
• Carry your own mug when trekking to the coffee maker.
• Don’t use screen-savers on your computer – they draw more power.
• Reuse envelopes.
• Use recycled paper.