Making Little Green Steps in Our Everyday Lives

By Dieta Jones-Baumgardt

Why go green? Everywhere you go people are talking about ‘going green’ and how it impacts the planet. Sometimes being green is tough, especially in our everyday lives.
 
Every day there are opportunities to reimagine how future choices can merge with creating a greener planet. Sometimes we forget to translate this to our own life practice and forget some of the many reasons of how to go green. When we start to consciously think of what we can do, whether it takes form in small actions like reducing our plastic consumption, or larger steps, like supporting politicians who support measures that protect biodiversity; both highlight the different levels of implementing strategies and policies that keep the environment in mind.
 
By taking a personal ‘bio-pledge’, one becomes more aware that daily environmentally-friendly initiatives - no matter the size - can result in a larger contribution and help sustain our planet! A ‘bio-pledge’ is a conscious reminder with the goal of taking small initiatives in our daily lives to commit to taking action to be a greener citizen.
 
Be aware of your power to make a difference. By taking a stand to use natural resources more consciously and create less waste, you not only enhance your life but also spread the idea of environmental justice far and wide. 
 
Currently, our natural resources are being consumed at an accelerating pace. These resources are required for the survival and well-being of humans and can range from objects, materials, creatures or energy found in nature that can be used by humans. If our rate of use does not change, many resources will not be sustained for future generations. As scientists complete ‘stock checks’, it is evident we are stretching our resources to their limits and non-renewable resources will not remain after the next 100 years.
 
The ‘bio-pledge’ goal is to highlight the need for the pursuit of environmental sustainability. This practice combines the needs for our natural resources of today with those of the future. It focuses attention on reducing impacts on the environment and urges for smart consumerism. Together, we must use the planet to a safe threshold such that resources can be reestablished.
 
With this in mind, the pledge is aimed at changing every day consumerism to foster environmentally friendly actions. To be sustainable in our modern society, one must remind themselves to think of their decision and the impact it has on the environment and natural resources.
 
By joining in this pledge, you become a part of the movement to maintain a healthy world. The pledge is a means to incorporate greener practices and choices into your life that will grow into your everyday lifestyle.
 
Actions to be more environmentally sustainable:

1. Use public transportation or carpool - cut down on total fossil fuel consumption.
2. Reduce food waste - eat leftovers and compost the rest.
3. Be cautious of water consumption - fix leaky taps and conserve when you can.
4. Eat locally - fewer fossil fuels are used to transport the goods and you support your community.
5. Turn lights off when not in the room - lower your energy use.
6. Properly recycle - avoids unnecessary items going to the garbage and landfill.
7. Take short showers - this conserves water and uses half the water of baths.
8. Avoid using harmful gardening products like pesticides or herbicides - they soak into the soil and harm wildlife.
9. Help a local conservation park and plant trees for your local community.
10. Tell your friends how they can join the movement too!

 
The above list of actions is just a few of the ways to join the pledge and reduce your impact on the environment so that everyone’s future will be green. Although these actions may not be the easiest choice or may require thinking about a task before following through, these are the first steps we can take to solve our natural resource problem. Without these actions and help from everyone, our natural resources are in danger. The pledge is a great start for individuals to build awareness on how easy it is to make everyday sustainable actions!

Dieta has always been passionate about nature, animals and understanding how different systems work together. Through studying Biology and Animal Physiology at the University of Toronto, she has learned to think outside the box, seeing comparative models and how they relate to our everyday lives. Her Master’s in Management of Applied Sciences at Western University led her to a life sciences consulting firm where she is a research analyst.