What can we learn about sustainability in a cost of living crisis?
The current economic crisis is undeniably frightening for many families, and hard as it is to “find a bright side”, we can use this time to learn valuable lessons about changing the way we live for a sustainable future.
When resources become scarce and prices rise, people are forced to find ways to live within their means and reduce waste. This can lead to a greater emphasis on sustainable practices, which can help to reduce the impact of resource depletion and environmental degradation.
Here are a few key lessons:
1. Grow
Growing your own vegetables reduces the emissions associated with packing, transporting, and preserving food over long distances and periods of time.
If you have access to outside space, use it. Salad, peas and beans, potatoes and other root vegetables all grow quickly and easily with minimal attention from you. If you don’t have a garden, try growing radishes and cress on your windowsill.
Apart from the initial investment in seeds, a person can easily save a couple of pounds off their weekly shop if fresh vegetables are coming from home.
2. Mend
The fashion industry is responsible for an estimated 10% of annual carbon emissions worldwide. By patching holes and reinforcing seams in your clothes, you can cut your carbon footprint while also saving money.
According to Statista, Britons between 30–50 years old spend roughly £20 a week on clothes and footwear- that’s over £1000 a year, and an estimated £57.3 billion in total nationally in 2021.
However, visible mending is becoming increasingly fashionable, so there’s no longer a reason to spend money replacing your favourite jeans or T-Shirts. Just patch them up with whatever you have to hand!
3. Reduce
According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, about one-third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted, and industrialized countries, including those in the West, are responsible for a significant portion of this waste.
In the United States, it is estimated that between 30–40% of the food supply is wasted, which equates to around 133 billion pounds of food per year. In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that around 9.5 million tonnes of food is wasted every year, with households accounting for the majority of this waste.
You can help reduce your food waste by planning meals in advance and accounting for leftovers. There’s also no shame in buying tinned fruit and veg if you aren’t confident you can make it to your fresh items before they go bad.
4. Conserve
You probably remember being told to “save water” or “save energy” as a child, but it turns out that’s pretty solid advice.
Whether reducing energy consumption by turning off lights and unplugging appliances when not in use, or by using public transportation or carpooling to reduce fuel consumption, being conscious of how and when we use resources in our daily lives can have massive economic and environmental impacts.
5. Embrace sustainable alternatives:
When there are fewer purchasing options and they’re all more expensive, it can actually be a relief to practise self-sufficiency and support sustainable practices, such as renewable energy sources and locally sourced food.
Though for many the initial investment costs may be prohibitive despite the future cost cutting (such as installing solar panels), this could also involve growing your own food or using rainwater for irrigation.
By becoming more self-sufficient, we can reduce our reliance on external resources, build resilience in the face of future crises, and reduce our impact on the environment to create a more sustainable future.
