Humanity’s unsustainable consumption and production patterns are placing unprecedented pressure on the planet. From the ubiquity of single-use plastic products and fast fashion to food and transportation choices, lifestyle choices impact human wellbeing, environmental health and the economy.
Food loss and waste account for up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, humanity produces around 430 million tonnes of plastic a year, two-thirds of which are short-lived products that soon become waste, according to the Turning off the Tap report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). By 2040, plastic production could be responsible for 19 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
To address these issues, individuals must make sustainable lifestyle changes in their day-to-day lives, say experts. Targeted and urgent action at all levels is also needed to guide this shift.
“As individuals, we have the power to urge all stakeholders – governments, businesses and more – to make sustainable living the default option and to make more informed choices,” says Jorge Laguna-Celis, director of UNEP’s One Planet Network. The unit brings together businesses, governments and other stakeholders to accelerate the change needed to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
The Sustainable Lifestyles Learning Module can help individuals learn how their actions can play a key role in protecting the planet. The self-paced online course explores what sustainable lifestyles are, the values and beliefs that influence consumer choices, and how to translate the science behind lifestyles into effective action. The Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals, UNEP’s Sustainable Lifestyles Team and the UN System Staff College worked with partners to develop the module. It is one of many products from the One Planet Network Sustainable Lifestyles and Education Programme.
Here are five ways the average person can reduce their carbon footprint and live more sustainably.
Food – Choose local, plant-based options
Opting for plant-based diets when possible is the most effective way to reduce the wide-ranging impacts of food consumption. Agricultural expansion is driving almost 90 per cent of global deforestation, while some 25 per cent of the global land surface is used for grazing livestock. This threatens biodiversity and ecosystem services, which provide shelter to local communities, medicine, recreational and spiritual benefits, and economic opportunities. Swapping to a more vegetable-friendly diet can improve one’s health, lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce biodiversity loss.
Travel – Avoid short car trips
Approximately 95 per cent of the world’s transport is still fossil-fuel-powered and the transport sector directly accounts for 23 per cent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Using public or shared transport, or even better, walking and cycling, can help reduce emissions – and air pollution. It can also encourage a shift in the way planners design cities.
Housing – Make simple changes at home and work
Buildings account for 21 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to electricity, heating and cooling. Simple actions in households and offices can reduce energy needs. This includes using natural light, changing clothes instead of relying on heating or cooling, and shifting to more sustainable furnishings and energy-efficient appliances.
Shopping – Think before buying
Humanity produces 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, of which only 55 per cent is managed in controlled facilities, according to the World Bank. In this era of overconsumption, experts say consumers must change shopping patterns to consider what they need, prioritize products that last longer, and opt for sharing and repairing goods – while still ensuring people can meet their basic needs. These practices can reduce the use of high-footprint materials like plastics, paper and textiles, reducing waste and associated emissions.
Leisure – Rediscover local attractions
How people spend their leisure time – including on tourism and recreational activities – significantly impacts the environment. Individuals can make impactful actions to shift to more sustainable leisure activities by staying local and supporting nearby businesses. The tourism sector accounts for around 8 per cent of all emissions. When travelling a long distance, experts suggest extending stays, eating local and avoiding disposables in favour of reusable products, including utensils.
