Three Ways To Lead a More Sustainable Life
Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said that “great acts are made up of small deeds.” While dedication to green governance is vital as we strive towards a sustainable future, it is easy to underestimate the impact of climate-conscious mindsets at the individual level. Let's look at the numbers. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian household consumption and use of goods and services were responsible for 40% of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. So… what do we do?
When it comes to making eco-friendly lifestyle changes, it might seem a little daunting at first. Lasting change may not happen overnight, but over time, each new habit formed can go a long way. The guide below serves as an achievable starting point: three ways to live life more sustainably, starting today.
- Reduce transportation emissions.
As per 2019 government statistics, one fifth of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector, and half of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions come from on-road passenger vehicles! If everyone in Canada was to cut down their car usage by one half, emissions could be reduced by 45 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. Vehicle usage can be reduced by increasing the number of passengers accommodated through carpooling, or simply choosing alternative transportation modes such as walking and cycling.
Did you know? In the Netherlands, the country known for housing the most cycling in the world, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per person was less than one half the amount of emissions per Canadian person in 2022.
- Reflect on household energy consumption.
One way to reduce the impact of household energy use is to reconsider its root source; burning fossil fuels will release greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond a shift towards renewable energy, it is essential to use energy wisely. “Depending on the building and how it’s used, a good daylighting strategy can reduce the need for energy-consuming electric lighting by 20 to 80%,” according to Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Marilyne Andersen. Don’t forget that energy use can trickle behind the scenes. For example, the average Canadian water consumption per person is around 300 liters per day. We don’t always realize that extracting, treating, and distributing water requires energy.
- Think before you buy.
From the frenzy of fashion trends, to holiday shopping sprees, and endless plastic packaging, the race of consumerism runs rampant in today's society. Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the result of market trends have accumulated in landfills across the world and Canadians are no different, with around 2.7 kilograms of garbage produced per person per day. Not only do landfills leak pollutants into soil, water, and air, but land use replaces natural wildlife habitats.
When you’re about to buy something, reflect on the process that produced and delivered the item to the shelf it is currently on. Always ask yourself:
- Can I reuse this item?
- Can I recycle this item?
- Do I need this item?
Looking for more ideas on how to lead a sustainable life? Peruse the ECF’s blog catalog to discover more environmentally relevant articles, such as Sustainable Diets.
Works Cited
Canada, Environment and Climate Change. “Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” www.canada.ca, January 9, 2007. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/greenhouse-gas-emissions.html#transport.
CRC Research. “Waste,” 2014. https://www.crcresearch.org/solutions-agenda/waste.
Environment and Climate Change Canada. “Solid Waste Diversion and Disposal - Canada.ca.” Canada.ca, 2016. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/solid-waste-diversion-disposal.html.
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. “World Water Day Eh.” www.statcan.gc.ca, March 13, 2024. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/5814-world-water-day-eh.
“Solatube International,” n.d. https://static-assets-solatube.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/field/files/tech_resources/Daylighting%20Facts%20%26%20Figures-Building%20Energy%20Efficiency.pdf.
United Nations. “Home Energy.” United Nations, n.d. https://www.un.org/en/actnow/home-energy.
Visualizing Energy. “What Methods of Electricity Generation Use the Most Water?” Visualizing Energy, February 12, 2024. https://visualizingenergy.org/what-methods-of-electricity-generation-use-the-most-water/.
World Green Building Council. “(Day)Lighting the Way to Greener and Healthier Buildings,” n.d. https://worldgbc.org/article/daylighting-the-way-to-greener-and-healthier-buildings/.
Worldometer. “CO2 Emissions per Capita - Worldometer.” www.worldometers.info, 2016. https://www.worldometers.info/co2-emissions/co2-emissions-per-capita/.
