What can you do right now to facilitate sustainable practices as an individual c
ID: 427145 • Letter: W
Question
What can you do right now to facilitate sustainable practices as an individual citizen of your country? As an individual citizen of the world? Do you think you will be able to do more or less as an individual five years from now? Why or why not? Try to be quantitative. Would it be feasible for you to consume 5% less energy, paper, water, and other resources than you do at present? Would a less-consumptive lifestyle be easier or harder five years hence? Estimate the maximum amount you could cut your consumption and not feel "pinched."
Explanation / Answer
1) Sustainable development is devoloping the environment and ensuring healthy and quality life for the future generations.
To facilitate sustainable practices I can do many things as a citizen. For the sustainable development -
i. I can reduce the buying and consumption amount of packaged products so that I can spread less pollution.
ii. Also decreasing the amount of buying plastic water bottles and opt in for glass or metal bottles is a big step for sustainable practices.
iii. Reduction in the use of motor bikes and cars can decrease the help in the air pollution. Instead of using car, I can opt in for bicycle or may be walking or using public transport.
iv. During meal times if I use metal spoons instead of plastic ones and also avoid plastic container foods then it will also help in the polution control.
v. Water saving is also very important for sustainable practices. I must avoid wasting of water by leaving tap or shower open etc.
vi. By using jute or cotton bags for grocery or other shopping instead of using plastic bags can reduce the usage of plastics.
These steps may be very small for the control of polutio but it indeed a great step towards the goal.
2) As an individual citizen of the world, I need to take a bigger step. Some of the practices may be -
i. I might try growing my own foods in my garden. The foods which we are buying from shops are going through various process so that it can stay freah longer. Growing green vegetables and if possibly fruits can also encourage my neighbours to do so.
ii. Reduction in the food waste can help in developing sustainable practices.
iii. If I start using energy effiicient electrical appliances then it will help the globe to save some energy. If I buy CFL or LED bulbs instead of normal bulbs for home then it can help me saving the electric bills as well as saving energy for globe.
iv. Using public transportation or bicycle more often can help the environment to reduce the carbon emission from vehicles. Also it can be helpful to save petrol and diesel for future generations.
v. Planting trees is an easy way to support sustainable practices and also it can reduce carbon dioxide from our environment.
vi. Last but not the least, I can start supporting organizations producing sustainable products and other non-profit organizations.
3) As per my opinion, I can definitely improve my practices few years from now. As the technology is improving, various new ideas will evolve in future. The concept of electric cars and solar power are now trending. May be in later future I can grow a behaviour to use solar energy as my source of electricity in my house and also my car. Also opting for electric car is definitely a good option to decrease the air polution, but till now no mid-income people can affort to buy it. So we can say that these costly options may become affordable for average income people.
Also I can use wind energy to supply power to my home, but that can costs me too. Installing efficient water fixtures in showers, toilets, taps and other water sources can be a great way to conserve water. May be the improvement in technology can develop new ideas for the citizen to increase the sustainable practices.
4) Yes it would be feasible for me to consume less energy and water at future. Because if i choose to opt for energy saving electric appliances then it would consume much less energy than before. Also installing efficient water sources in taps, showers and toilets can reduce the usage of water too. These days people are using electrical devices more than that of using paper and pen, so in the later future it can be said that this practice would become more popular.
5) According to me it would not affect much in my life style, as the appliances are produces in such a way that it would not be difficult for consumers to use. Also in my opinion it would be easy to use these sustainable products as in some way it can help me to save much more money after a little investment to buy those appliances. Hence, I can say that my life would be very much easier and also cost effective after opting for sustainable practices.
Hope this will help :)