The definition of sustainability has been quite elusive; however, many point out that this doesn’t actually matter since the goals are much more critical than the approaches taken to make them a reality. In a sense, sustainability is a social goal focused on the ethics of living on the Earth and the moral responsibility of each and every single one of us to support our home and allow it to thrive. As a concept, sustainability is incredibly complex, and aside from the environmental layer, it also includes indications regarding the economic and social dimensions of sustainable living.
Climate change, biodiversity loss, an increase in extreme weather phenomena, pollution, and food insecurity for millions of people from across the globe are the most pressing concerns at the moment, the ones that could end up making Earth unliveable in the not-so-distant future. Measuring sustainability is quite challenging as it is typically contextual. The metrics, indicators, and audits change as more information is revealed (after all, the current environmental conditions are unprecedented in human history).
Standards and certification systems exist and are fully operational, while sustainability reporting is becoming more common as well. Businesses looking to enhance their sustainability standards typically start by creating a robust recycling strategy so that they can reduce their carbon footprint. Mil-tek, which has many different offices across Australia, offers comprehensive solutions that many gravitate towards in order to meet regulations.
Yet, many wonder how accurate and reliable these metrics truly are. It is this uncertainty that has led consumers to accuse companies of greenwashing, a practice that has corporations pretending that their procedures are much more sustainable than they truly are. However, that doesn’t mean sustainable development should be dismissed altogether. It is essential for developments to continue and for the effort to be committed and continuous in order to ensure change.
Sustainable homes
Houses Awards, Australia’s leading residential design prize, included many interesting and innovative designs this year, all of which were based on “the radical idea of doing less.” Low-impact refurbishment was the highlight, with the idea being that you don’t have to demolish and then rebuild from scratch in order to come up with something truly remarkable. One of the houses, set in the foothills of the Wollemi National Park, just three hours away from Sydney, was factory-built in its entirety in order to minimize the impact on the remote, natural location.
One-bedroom homes were emphasized as well, and although they are naturally smaller, it doesn’t mean that they don’t provide privacy or cannot provide their owners with stunning landscapes. In New South Wales, a mock colonial house was redesigned using durable, locally sourced materials with the aim of modernizing the surroundings by bringing minimal changes to the underlying structure. Another property that was redeveloped in New South Wales is a mid-century home that was equipped with thermally efficient timber exteriors.
The backsplash and ceiling rafters were salvaged and repurposed. Sapling and Holocene House are both in Sydney. The first one is entirely carbon-negative, with its solar panels creating four times the amount of energy it requires. The latter, inspired by rainforest creeks, is similarly powered by solar energy and reuses grey water in the garden. The design allows wind, sunlight, and rain into the space, as insulation wasn’t a concern while creating the house.
Proven ways to help
Given the unbelievably broad and complex scope of global warming and climate change, the average individual might feel quite intimidated about taking any sort of action. After all, everything you do will probably seem like a very tiny drop in an incredibly vast ocean. However, there are some ways in which you can definitely make a change. There are practical ways to help and ensure you contribute to the planet’s health and well-being. Eating a plant-based diet is one of the surest ways to curb your carbon footprint. By 2033, there will be about thirty-eight individual farm animals on the planet. Cattle and poultry release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, namely methane and nitrous oxide, which are 28 and 265 times more potent than carbon dioxide, respectively.
A vegetarian or vegan diet doesn’t just decrease carbon emissions but lowers water use as well. The harm done to biodiversity is largely averted as well. Reducetarian diets, which involve gradually reducing the amount of animal products you consume, are more flexible and might be the preferable choice in the beginning. When you travel, you should aim for the train or bus instead of the plane. This goes for your daily commute as well, where the train or bike are also preferable to your vehicle. You can also walk if the distance is not unreasonable. Cutting down single-use plastic and switching to glass, steel, and reusable cloth bags is good not just for the environment but for human health as well.
Clothing
Fashion is one of the world’s largest polluters, being responsible for anywhere between 8 and 10% of global emissions, exceeding the cumulated emissions of the shipping and aviation industries. Every single second, the rough equivalent of a rubbish truck full of clothing is either taken to a landfill or burnt, both of which are highly detrimental to environmental well-being. In order to make fashion more environmentally friendly, a circular approach to fashion is needed.
While recycling your existing clothes is definitely crucial, the most essential aspect is to minimize how much you’re consuming. If you’ve noticed that you have become addicted to following fast-paced trends and have to shop from ultrafast fashion brands, you must search for an alternative as quickly as possible. These garments are typically of lower quality, with the materials being of lower quality and the stitching subpar since the aim is to make as many pieces as possible, not to deliver premium-quality clothes.
The workers in these industries typically operate in unsafe conditions and are paid meagre wages that cannot support their living accordingly. Switch to buying second-hand instead so that fabrics, water, and dyes aren’t used every single time you buy something new. Many online platforms allow you to purchase used clothing nowadays, and there’s also the option to rent items you only need for a very short amount of time.
To sum up, sustainability cannot be achieved in a single day, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make it a priority. Individuals can help by modifying their diets and shopping habits, while corporations have to guarantee ethical labour practices, transparency, diversity, compliance with regulations, efficient supply chains, and a switch to renewable energy sources as part of their manufacturing processes.
