TOPIC: SUSTAINABLE
LIVING
SHOULD WE STOP LIVING A LUXURY
LIFE IN ORDER TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY?
Everyone love’s a luxury life & I
am personally crazy for it, but many of the costly stuff are out of our rich of a
layman. I initially I was craving to live a luxury life but when I visited Sadhana
Forest & Auroville as it was school expedition where I came to know &
understand a new thing SUSTAINABILITY which changed my thinking about Life
& Luxury Life. One big question came to my mind but can we really avoid luxury
life in this 21st century where people are always in want & desire of an easy and
effortless life, and is that luxury life is need or want? It is likely 100% want, might
be need for some people, but if look it in other way we are harming nature
around us, finishing the resources which we need to survive and most
importantly we might not sustain in near future, But if we see it the other way
of living sustainably we can sustain whatever we want to and have all the
resources.
THE EFFECTS
GLOBAL EFFECT’S:
There are a lot of big
problems globally and if the
problems won’t be solved it might
lead to mass extinction of species
(including humans).
The way we have lived so far is not
at all nature friendly, and by craving
to live a luxury life we are surely
disturbing the natural cycles and environment, is their time to regret for our past
mistakes (done purposely or not). No, it’s the time to take actions.
Climate change is one of the biggest issues faced globally “have you ever
wondered that it rained in afternoon but it was sunny in the morning” yes this is
climate change and we are the reason for it. Well, it happens because of the
harmful gases released by our vehicles & industries which are here to provide
comfort & luxury to us which in turn causes global warming thus resulting
climate change and if we start living sustainably it can slowly and gradually cure
it, we cannot ask for an instant recovery but some day it will surely get better.
Consumerism, basically a thing which is opposite to sustainability and
have problems, those problems include the deterioration of traditional culture
and way of life, the weakening of altruistic moral values in favor of self-respect
and (of course, selfish) materialism and competitiveness, impoverished
communities and public life; External environmental factors such as pollution,
high creation. But by minimalism and sustainable living we will cure the
problems.
NATIONAL/COUNTRY EFFECT’S:
One biggest problem of luxury life is Waste Management is a phenomenon
which many countries can hardly handle it and causes a wide mess which takes
years to clear it. Is it only the government who is going take initiative even we
must take the responsibility of keeping our waste clean and segregated which is
more sustainable than making mountains of waste and keeping it there.
Regulations are the control of something by law/rule and mostly people
don’t follow them (might have a there reason). Is it really worth paying for a
mistake done by your side, it isn’t. It is not sustainable so you better not break
the rules.
LOCAL EFFECT’S:
Poverty is defined as a state or condition in which people and
communities are unable to meet a minimum standard of living due to lack of
adequate resources. This is caused because some are trying to have more than
they require only for luxurious life. We can overcome this problem by helping
and making everyone equal is also a goal of sustainability/sustainable living.
PERSONAL EFFECT’S:
Financial problems are effecting us the most mentally and physically but
just think of minimalism and sustaining the things (money) can we just invest
less and use less, do we really need an iPhone, Lamborghini, Rolex, and 5star
hotel to just do the basic activities we do everyday we can rather save that
money for future emergencies and things like that.
IS LIVING SUSTAINABLE DIFFICULT THAN LIVING A LUXURY LIFE?
No, we can live a sustainable without totally giving up our luxurious life by
making small changes.
1. 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
Minimize waste by following the principles of reduce, reuse, and
recycle. Option for reusable items, recycle materials like paper, glass,
plastic, and aluminum, and try to reduce single-use plastics.
2. Conserve Energy:
Turn off lights when not in use, use energy-efficient appliances,
consider renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, and insulate
your home to reduce energy consumption.
3. Water Conservation:
Fix leaks, install water-saving fixtures, take shorter showers, and
collect rainwater for non-potable uses like watering plants.
4. Transportation:
Use public transport, carpool, bike, or walk when possible to reduce
carbon emissions. Consider electric or hybrid vehicles for a more ecofriendly option.
5. Eat Sustainably:
Choose locally grown, organic foods, reduce meat consumption,
and support sustainable agriculture practices. Also, minimize food waste
by planning meals and composting organic waste.
6. Support Sustainable Products:
Purchase products made from recycled materials, support
companies with eco-friendly practices, and choose items with minimal
packaging.
7. Conscious Consumerism:
Consider the environmental and ethical impact of your purchases.
Option for durable, quality items rather than disposable ones.
8. Go Paperless:
Use digital methods for bills, documents, and communication to
reduce paper usage.
9. Composting:
Turn food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost for
gardening, reducing landfill waste.
10. Educate and Advocate:
Spread awareness about sustainability, support policies that
promote environmentally friendly practices, and advocate for sustainable
living in your community.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF EVERONE WILL GIVE UP LUXURY & LIVE SUSTAINABLY?
It can be best gift to humanity as their will be feeling of love & equality in
everyone and many more changes in the world we live and preserve resources
for our next generation.
If everyone were to embrace sustainable living practices, several positive
outcomes could emerge:
1. Environmental Conservation:
Mass adoption of sustainable living would significantly reduce the
strain on natural resources, limit pollution, and decrease greenhouse gas
emissions. This would lead to improved air and water quality, preservation
of biodiversity, and a more resilient ecosystem.
2. Resource Efficiency:
Utilizing resources more efficiently through sustainable practices
like reduced consumption, recycling, and renewable energy adoption
would help in conserving resources for future generations. It could also
mitigate the depletion of non-renewable resources.
3. Climate Change Mitigation:
A collective shift towards sustainability would contribute
significantly to mitigating climate change by reducing carbon
emissions, fostering carbon sequestration, and promoting more ecofriendly transportation and energy production methods. It would
reduce our carbon (CO2 + CH4) emissions to a safe level. Our natural
habitat would return to safety.
4. Healthier Lifestyles:
Sustainable living often involves healthier choices, such as
consuming locally sourced organic foods, reducing exposure to harmful
chemicals, and promoting active transportation. This could lead to
improved public health outcomes and a decrease in certain
environmentally related health issues.
5. Economic Benefits:
While there might be initial costs associated with transitioning to
sustainable practices, in the long run, it could lead to cost savings due to
reduced energy consumption, waste management costs, and a focus on
more durable and efficient products.
6. Community and Social Well-being:
Embracing sustainability can foster a sense of community
engagement, cooperation, and responsibility towards environmental
stewardship. It could also lead to a more equitable distribution of
resources and improved living conditions for marginalized communities.
7. Global Collaboration:
A global shift towards sustainability would encourage
international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and innovation to
address environmental challenges collectively, transcending
boundaries and fostering a more interconnected world.
However, achieving universal sustainable living requires a concerted effort
from individuals, communities, governments, and businesses. Education, policy
changes, technological advancements, and a cultural shift towards prioritizing
sustainability are crucial for realizing these positive outcomes on a global scale.
NEEDS & WANTS
Needs are necessary for life and are universal, whereas wants are wants
that are indispensable for life and can vary greatly from person to person based
on personal preferences and social influences Understanding the difference
between needs and wants helps individuals build appropriate decisions in
priorities, resource allocation, and lifestyle choices.
To distinguish need’s and wants one word is most important SACRIFICE.
One who can sacrifice would be able to sustain things longer than a normal
person can and we can get a new world which can heal itself so it is really worth
of doing and giving a thought to sacrifice some of our needs.
CONCLUSION
The most important purpose of a
Human Being is to be a helping hand to
others. As we have developed as a group
and our brain loves being in group than
having physical luxury and if everyone of us
gives importance to doing small changes,
we all can live in a wonderful lovely world
Embracing sustainable living is not just an individual choice but a collective
responsibility to protect our planet for present and future generations. By
adopting environmentally friendly practices such as energy conservation,
reducing waste and conscious use of resources, we are paving the way for a more
equitable relationship between humanity and the environment around the
intersection.
The benefits of sustainable living extend beyond individual well-being and
include environmental protection, conservation, improved health and a more
equitable society but if we are to have a sustainable future it requires a
concerted effort involving governments, businesses, communities and
individuals around the world.
As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of sustainability, it is
important to develop a mindset of responsibility, innovation and
entrepreneurship. Each small step towards sustainability contributes to a larger
movement that points towards a greener, healthier and more prosperous future
for all. Together, let us engage in sustainable action today in order to have a
sustainable and prosperous world tomorrow.
WORD COUNT :- Total words 1650
REFERENCE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Visit to Sadhana forest & Auroville
https://sadhanaforest.org/about-us/
https://auroville.org/
https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/sustainability
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sustainability/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century
https://jamesclear.com/minimalism
https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/luxury-industry-customersexperiences/0/steps/302423#:~:text=The%20origins%20of%20the%20word,conveyed%20t
he%20meaning%20of%20lust.
9. https://www.wheelsforwishes.org/news/six-reasons-why-sustainable-living-is-important/
10. https://www.un.org/en/global-issues
11. https://www.britannica.com/money/consumerism
12. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/public-sector/articles/top-national-issues.html
13. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d21/
14. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
15. https://www.forritcu.org/needs-vs-wants-how-to-tell-the-difference/