Covid strikes. We are all sitting at home, bored to death (literally for some people), scrolling endlessly turning ourselves into brain rot. Slowly, resources began to recede like many of our hairlines and we become increasingly worried about both of these issues. In comes a new buzzword: Sustainability! To be fair, sustainability has been a buzzword ever since we, as a species, felt that we were maybe doing a bit too much harm to the environment and probably should control it somehow. So, anyway, the buzzword comes in, everyone jumps on the trend, and there comes a series of bizarre hacks and tricks to become more “sustainable”.

However crazy those years were, they did change many of our lifestyles into somehow being more positive and sustainable towards the environment, and because of staying at home the entire carbon footprint decreased by an average of 8.6% between January and April compared to the same period in 2019. Social distancing policies kept people from resorts and beaches around the world while industrial shutdown has paused effluent discharge into water bodies. Such events resulted in water quality improvement due to less pollution observed in different countries such as Mexico, Spain, and Ecuador. For example, electricity consumption declined to almost 30% in Italy after 40 days of lockdown. Similarly, electricity consumption declined by 15% in France, 12% in Germany, 15% in Spain, 20% in India, and 16% in the UK. Overall, electricity demand during COVID-19 was at least 10% lower compared to pre-COVID-19 times. These heavy statistics may not hold much importance to the average human being but what it does show us is that we can positively impact the environment by simply staying at home. Thus we can say, that sustainability does begin at home.

Now to keep things clear, let us define what sustainability or sustainable development stands for. So according to Merriam-Webster sustainability means: ” a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.” Sustainable development hence means that we direct our development in a way that does not deplete or harm the resources we are using to develop. Thus we are done with the definitions let us move on to the “how” of things we just defined.

These are some ways we can begin at-home sustainability:

Reduce Energy Consumption: One of the most effective ways to become more sustainable at home is by reducing energy use. Start by switching to energy-efficient LED light bulbs they use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Additionally, make it a habit to turn off lights, appliances, and electronics when not in use(it’s not that hard, Jeffery). Consider installing programmable thermostats to regulate heating and cooling more efficiently, and ensure that your home is well-insulated to minimize energy loss.

Choose Sustainable Home Products: When purchasing household products, opt for those that are made from sustainable materials and have minimal environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. Look for certifications such as Energy Star for appliances, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood products, and EcoLogo or Green Seal for cleaning products that meet environmental standards.

Embrace Green Transportation: Reduce your carbon footprint by opting for greener transportation options. If feasible, walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of driving a car for short trips. When purchasing a vehicle, choose fuel-efficient or electric models that have lower emissions. Carpooling or organizing a neighborhood car-sharing initiative can also help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and promote more sustainable transportation practices.

Practice Sustainable Gardening: If you have a garden or outdoor space, adopt sustainable gardening practices such as planting native species that require less water and maintenance, using natural pest control methods like companion planting or beneficial insects instead of chemical pesticides, and mulching to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Consider installing a rain barrel to collect water for watering plants.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Implementing the principles of the waste hierarchy—reduce, reuse, recycle—can drastically cut down on household waste. Start by reducing packaging waste by choosing products with minimal or recyclable packaging. Reuse items such as jars, containers, and shopping bags instead of disposing of them after a single use. Properly sort and recycle materials like paper, cardboard, glass, and plastics according to local recycling guidelines to divert waste from landfills.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Windows and Insulation: Improve the energy efficiency of your home by investing in double-pane or energy-efficient windows and enhancing insulation in walls, floors, and attics. Proper insulation reduces heating and cooling costs, improves indoor comfort, and decreases energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

These are six of the many many things we can apply to our lives that slowly but surely change the environment for the better and a better environment assures the existence of our species. Nihilism should be a choice, not a compulsion, let us try not to choke down our planet when we can just make a few small changes in our lives to make a major positive impact on our planet.

Sustainable Choices