Building a Sustainable Tomorrow

The global economy is sustained by worldwide consumption and production. However, the excessive extraction of raw materials is burdened with consequences. Annually, 1.3 billion tons of food valued at approximately $1 trillion is wasted. Spoiling is often the result of irresponsible retailers or poor transportation and harvesting practices. Each year, global food wastage can feed over 2 billion people.

Inevitably, social and economic progress has been accompanied by environmental degradation that disrupts the stability of ecological systems on which our future depends. Greenfield lands transformed to create farmlands often provoke irreversible ecological changes such as soil degradation and the loss of biodiversity. That is why various industries pursue sustainable manufacturing. It helps in the conservation of natural resources and increases operational efficiency by reducing costs and carbon footprint.

Engaging in Sustainability Efforts

1. Switch to renewable energy:

Annually, energy-efficient light bulbs save $120 billion worldwide. Eliminating standby power by unplugging unused electronics is another way to reduce energy consumption.

2. Avoid products with excessive packaging:

Choosing environmentally stable products in terms of their packaging techniques has a significant contribution to reducing costs, thus, saving money.

3. Integrate sustainability by reusing:

Tupperware, shopping bags, and paper can be reused to conserve resources.

4. Utilize green modes of transportation:

Carpooling, using bikes, and walking reduce an individual's carbon footprint. Choosing less-polluting energy sources like biofuels helps reduce air pollution as it emits little to no greenhouse gases.

5. Support sustainable farming

Purchase sustainable produce, a result of crop rotation. This technique is widely used in sustainable agriculture as it is the practice of planting varying crops from time to time on the same plot of land to improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat the spread of pests and weeds.

In summary, we are all capable of becoming catalysts for social change. Let us raise awareness of the necessity of adapting to a more sustainable lifestyle in terms of production and consumption patterns to better the future.

References

- "Sustainable Consumption and Production – United Nations Sustainable Development." United Nations. United Nations. Accessed June 22, 2021. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/.

- "Get a Fix on These Design Interventions." Design Indaba. Accessed June 22, 2021. http://web.archive.org/web/20210117010247/http://www.designindaba.com/articles/creative-work/get-fix-these-design-interventions.

- "Sustainable Development Goal 12." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, May 26, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_Development_Goal_12.

- Regeneration International. "Regenerative Agriculture: The Key to Solving Desertification and Migration Crises." Regeneration International. Regeneration International https://regenerationinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/RI-Logo-New.png, May 16, 2016. https://regenerationinternational.org/2016/05/16/regenerative-agriculture-the-key-to-solving-desertification-and-migration-crises/.

- "[Solved] Which One of the Following Terms Describes the Practice of g." Testbook. Accessed June 22, 2021. https://testbook.com/question-answer/which-one-of-the-following-terms-describes-the-pra--5f748ec0b879eb314d81098e.