One great thing about breaking loose from a full time demanding job is that you can enjoy the treasure of more “free” time🧘 . This past year I have invested in learning about things that genuinely fascinates me. I doubt this exploration journey would have been possible in my previous professional job.
This past week marks the celebration of Earth Week🌍, a week intended to raise awareness and promoting action for environmental protection and sustainability.
💡In light of this, I felt I wanted to share some of the enlightening insights I've gained recently, particularly, practical tips on how we as individuals can contribute to a greener planet.
The impact of household consumption on global greenhouse gas emissions is significant. It's estimated that in Europe, countries like Sweden have a footprint of about 7-8 tons of consumer-based greenhouse gas emissions per person & year. According to the Paris Agreement, we need to reduce this to 2.5 tons by 2030 and further down to 0.7 tons by 2050, a daunting but necessary goal.
So what can we do as consumers? There is a long list developed through a joint research project called “1.5Lifestyles.eu” where Lund university is one of the research partners. The institute presented part of this research in an interesting seminar I attended a few weeks back.
Here are 15 impactful ways you can make a difference (adapted from their list of 50 suggestions)1:
Food Choices
· Avoid food waste (& eat only as much food as you need in order to stay healthy)
· Drink water from the tap instead of bottled water
· Eat more vegetarian/vegan
· Eat seasonal vegetables and fruit
Transportation:
· Get rid of the car or choose a smaller (ideally electric) if you can
· Co-ride to work
· More home office
Living:
· Repair IT devices instead of buying new
· Lower temperature in your house/apartment
· Save hot water
· Switch to using energy efficient household devices
Leisure/Lifestyle
· Get a small pet if you get a new one
· Choose pet food with lower carbon footprint
· Choose train over car and flights during vacation
· Buy fewer clothing and shoes
Full list available in reference list below.
I started with the food category as it has been proven being the single strongest lever to optimize not only sustainability for the earth itself, but also for human health🍒.2
We are eating more and more ultra-processed food and that is not only a problem nutrition wise (as it is often stripped on nutrients) but also planet wise. According to the EAT-Lancet commission report a “healthy diet” for the planet and people could look like this:
50% of the plate should be filled with vegetables and fruits. The other half of the plate should be filled with (based on contribution to calories): whole grains, plant sourced proteins (beans, seeds (chia is great), quinoa, oats..) & unsaturated plant oils. Small amounts (less than 10%) of the plate should be taken up by animal sourced proteins, dairy food, starchy vegetables (potatoes, cassava) and added sugars.
As we strive for that vibrant and healthy life, let’s try to remember these insights. By making informed choices, we contribute not only positively to ourselves but also to a healthier planet & more sustainable lives. Remember, every small action counts to that vibrant, vivante life!
1. https://onepointfivelifestyles.eu/sites/default/files/attachment/2023-03/WP2%20-%20LIST%20OF%2050%20LOW-CARBON%20LIFESTYLE%20OPTIONS_0.pdf
WP2- LIST OF 50 LOW-CARBON LIFESTYLE OPTIONS_0.pdf (onepointfivelifestyles.eu)
2. https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet-commission/eat-lancet-commission-summary-report/
