Sustainable living is all about making choices that reduce our environmental footprint while improving quality of life. It might seem daunting at first, but even small and consistent steps can lead to a meaningful change. Here are some practical tips to help you embrace a sustainable lifestyle: 

How can we make some changes in our daily living which can help us to have a greener, healthier and safe environment. Let us discuss about the major factors which have contributed for us to have a non sustainable living:

1. Urbanisation : Due to our work , which is needed to sustain life and our basic needs , people have migrated from Green villages to Urban areas. This had added to increase in the urbanisation. We all need to have a comfortable lifestyle and what is needed for this is , we need to work to sustain our family. This movement have made changes to the way of living. This have added to the increase in the energy we use, increase in the transportation , lots of housing , buildings, factories and increase in the spending. All this have affected the ecosystem and climate.
2. Why there is a change in the climate ? .This could be due to lots of energy being used for machineries for transportation, to run factories, to run a house hold activities.
3. Fast life: People have tried to work fast due to rapid changes in the work life. This we can observe when we walk around big cities. People are always travelling either to go to the office/ work or to come back from the office. We don’t have time to say Hello to each other or to have a calm mindful talk. Everyone is on a move. This have affected our mental health and wellbeing. Unsustainable living can contribute to high energy consumption. All these activities can affect the ecosystem by making simple changes in our habits .

Let us talk about the changes which we can make .I can suggest in this Blog few choices that can help to improve our quality of life. Initially it might be difficult but with small and consistent efforts , it can lead to a meaningful change.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – the Three Rs- Reduce: Minimize waste by opting for products with less packaging, buying in bulk, and avoiding single-use items. Reuse: Repurpose jars, containers, and old clothing. For example, turn glass jars into storage or vases. Recycle: Please take some time to sort out things in the house. Make it as a fun activity.  Be diligent about sorting your waste and knowing what materials your local recycling program accepts. 

Conserve Energy

• Switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs, which use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. 
• Unplug electronics when not in use; even standby mode consumes electricity.  Turn he switch off when not in use.
• Choose renewable energy source.
• If possible, install solar panels to generate clean energy for your home. 
• Many energy providers now offer green energy plans – consider switching to one. 
• Invest in smart thermostats to regulate home temperatures efficiently.  Improve insulation. Use smart power strips. Utilize minimal charging features. When not in use switch off the charging. This little move will help to save energy and bills. It will protect the environment and our wellbeing.

Opt for Sustainable Transportation

• Use public transport, bike, or carpool whenever possible.  This is affordable, accessible and cleaner alternative.
• If you drive, consider a hybrid or electric vehicle.  This type of travel will have low carbon emission.
• For short trips, walking not only reduces emissions but also benefits your health.  Physical activity can benefit our overall mental and physical wellbeing. This will prevent traffic congestion and low carbon transportation.
• This type of transportation can contribute to positive changes in our climate, health and economy.

Shop Mindfully

• Regarding clothes shopping : Wear what is needed for the current trend and if you have any old clothes please send it to the charity shop. Do not dump the clothes into the bin as they add to the pollution by not getting recycled. Support brands that prioritize sustainability in their production processes.  Usually I go to the clearance section of the clothes website when i have to buy clothes. Sometimes these clearance section will surprise you by the good quality and reasonable rates they sell.
• About food shopping : My advise is to buy what is needed . The shelf live of the food product is for few days to weeks. Do not buy large amount of food it is mentioned in the packet to be eaten with a weeks. Also it is a better option to try to grow your own fruits , vegetables and herbs. Choose local and seasonal produce to cut down on food miles. 
• Bring your own bags, bottles, and containers to reduce reliance on disposable items.  This helps to save money and also saves the environment from disposable plastic items. Prefer recycled products.

Save Water

• Fix leaky faucets promptly – a single drip can waste gallons of water over time.  Do not overflow the sink while cleaning. Do not let the taps run throughout the cleaning process. Water can be saved by storage process, by closing and checking all the taps in the house when not in use.
• Install low-flow showerheads and toilets.  Laundering and tumble dryer takes lots of water and energy. Organise the cleaning of clothes weekly or depending upon your plans but to save water and energy it is always helpful to not use the washing machine every day.
• Harvest rainwater for gardening and outdoor cleaning.  You can buy from the local council or shops the water storage tanks which collects the rain water and you can use the stored water during watering the plants, cleaning the garden area.

Create a Green Space with the help of food waste.

• I love gardening , I have learnt and tried various methods to grow flowering plants and herbs. Once i was told by someone that try to sow a seed and observe every day whether it grows or not. The day I took this advise and started sowing plants and seeds I was happy to see that little twig sprouting from the soil and telling me look I have started growing. I felt very happy that day . Then the nurturing and caring of the plant starts growing in our daily activities. . Grow your own herbs, vegetables, or flowers, even in small urban spaces with vertical gardening or potted plants. 
• Use native plants in landscaping to reduce water and maintenance needs.  I usually use perennial plants, they need less water and they grow and last for long time.
• What I have tried is to reduce the amount of food waste. Also any food which is not eatable can be transferred to a compost bin. |This has helped me a lot to reduce the throwing of the food into the waste bin, but to reuse it for compose. If you are staying in the house with a garden, you can buy a compost bin, if staying in a flat buy a small compost bin and ask the council to recycle it or use the compost for your green plants.
• Most of the food waste at come can be used as a compost . They provide a healthy nutrition to the plants and to create nutrient-rich soil for your plants.  This produces productivity in our garden and space. You can buy some sprays available in the market to prevent flies and cover the compost bin, this will help to create a nutritious product for the soil.

Declutter Responsibly, Educate and Inspire.

• When cleaning out your home, donate usable items to charities instead of throwing them away. For items that can’t be reused, find recycling programs or specialized disposal options. 
• Share your sustainable practices with friends and family. Start conversations about the importance of protecting our planet and encourage others to adopt eco-friendly habits. 
•  Sustainable living isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. By incorporating even a few of these tips into your daily routine, you can contribute to a healthier planet while often saving money and enhancing your lifestyle.  

Thank you for reading this Blog. Let us know if there are any more suggestions we can add to this article to improve our environment and wellbeing.