Sustainability has been growing in popularity. From residential construction practices to corporate policy, it seems to be on everyone’s agenda. There are four main principles of sustainability: reducing waste, minimizing the use of Earth’s natural resources, improving the quality of living and working environments, and practicing responsible stewardship of the natural environment.
These are intertwined in such a way that working toward one can also help you achieve the others. The benefits you will realize as you embrace sustainability will reach every aspect of your life.
Lower Cost of Living
Although many associate sustainable choices with expensive products, embracing this lifestyle can actually lead to a much lower cost of living. That is because it often leads to changes in entertainment, food and travel choices that help you save. Consider the effects that sustainable living can bring to your budget:
- Fewer new products being purchased
- Retained value as older items are sold or donated
- Less travel-related expenses
- Lower utility bills
- Decreased entertainment costs
Improved Health
Your health, and that of your family, will almost certainly improve as you adopt sustainable practices. Increased physical activity due to changes in travel and recreation helps you achieve the recommended amounts of exercise for optimizing health outcomes. Think, for a moment, of the benefits of walking or biking to the local store instead of hopping in your car.
You will also be eating cleaner, healthier whole foods that can better supply your body with nutrients. Home and community gardens can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to get food from the ground to your table, which means less time for vitamins and minerals to degrade. Organic options that benefit the environment also mean you are ingesting fewer pesticides and herbicides that can potentially contribute to serious health problems. Greening up your cleaning routine with sustainable products and practices can help to further reduce the chemicals that you come into contact with each day.
Increased Self-Reliance
People all over the world live intertwined lives. However, there are times when self-reliance is necessary. Sustainable practices can help. Planting a garden not only supplies you with fresh food, but it also can be a teaching tool to show children where food comes from and teach them how to grow and prepare different items.
Adopting renewable energy sources can help you keep the power on when infrastructure systems fail to keep up with demand or are down due to weather-related damage. In places where storms are prevalent, this can be a literal lifesaver. It’s one of the many reasons for the growing popularity of solar powered Texas homes.
Supported Local Communities
Sustainable practices in business – Sustainability efforts also create a sense of community for many people. Reduced travel means you rely more on neighbors and local businesses. Because sustainability relies on reduced travel, you will likely spend more time in and around your own neighborhood. Walking and riding into town is more conducive to stopping to chat than everyone driving in their SUVs. You may develop a relationship with the farmer who runs your CSA program or find a mentor at a local collaborative program.
Healthier Ecosystems
You can’t talk about sustainability without noting its benefits to the natural environment. All the things that help you also help the planet. Lower bills and changed transportation are the results of adopting renewable energy, which means fewer resources taken from the ground. It also leads to lower levels of carbon emissions, less environmental degradation and better air quality. As that trickles down throughout ecosystems, you see healthier animals and plants as well.
Stronger and More Durable Products
Value and price are not the same things, and sustainability takes that distinction into consideration. You may pay a little bit more for the things you do buy, but there is a trade-off. You’ll buy fewer items, and the ones you do get will be more likely to last. The craftsmanship of everyday items will be preserved and, in many cases, specialty trades will too.
Choosing to embrace sustainable practices can have many benefits for you and the planet. From reduced emissions to a lower cost of living, you will quickly realize how even small changes can improve your everyday life.
