Understanding sustainability and why it matters.
As humans, we have made tremendous strides in how the world operates and connects. Our inherent quest for survival has led us to innovate, adapt and evolve—finding ways to make life longer, better and more convenient. And there are countless reasons why that is a good thing.
Yet along the way, human advancements have come with a cost. Inadvertently in our race toward progress, we have become disconnected from our responsibility to preserve and protect the planet we call home.
With a slew of environmental concerns challenging our future—from extreme weather conditions due to climate change to various forms of pollution, habitat destruction, resource depletion and food waste—the problems we face feel large, and a big-picture view can be overwhelming.
But if we take a step back and look at our individual roles, there are many ways we can make improvements for the better—learning to make more conscious decisions in our daily lives to reduce our impact on the Earth.
This is what sustainability is all about: the ways in which we as humans modify our behaviors today to live more harmoniously with our natural environment now and in the future.
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make." —Jane Goodall, Primatologist and Anthropologist
Let’s Consider Some Numbers
It's easy to think that individual efforts don't mean a lot in the big scheme of things—but consider these statistics when thinking about your own footprint.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average American consumer disposes around 4.9 pounds of trash per day, or around 1,789 pounds annually. (EPA 2018 study) If the average American household consists of 3.15 persons (2023 U.S. Census Bureau), and we each produce about 4.9 pounds of trash per day, that means the average household produces around 5,634 pounds of trash per year.
*That's like filling up a 20-foot U-Haul truck and driving it to the dump. Do you know how many trash bags your family fills up each week? If we stop to pause with each item we toss and think about how to recycle, reuse or reduce, could we cut that number in half?
While plastic has helped to revolutionize our world since WWII, the rate of plastic production has grown faster than any other material, with half of all plastics ever manufactured made in the past 15 years. (National Geographic) More than 400 million tons of plastic is produced worldwide every year, and 36% is short-lived plastic packaging. (UNEP)
*Plastic is undoubtedly convenient, but it has led to a throw-away culture. We're looking at single-use items like you--bottles, straws, food containers, plastic and grocery bags.
Sure, recycling is a great option for certain plastics (bottles, yogurt tubs and milk jugs), but not all plastics are treated the same. Takeout food containers, clamshell containers for produce and party cups are some of the items that head straight to the landfill.
The average American household spends around 10% of their income on eating out, apparel, entertainment and lodging away from home. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
*When you work hard to earn a living, spending money in the way you choose is your prerogative. Sustainable thinking is about enjoying these pleasures and conveniences through a mindful lens. Eating out? Bring reusable take-home containers. Buying new clothes? Avoid fast fashion and consider supporting sustainable clothing brands. Planning a vacation? Do your homework on eco-friendly tourism.
Though the United States ranks 25th in waste management according to the Global Waste Index of 2022, Americans produce the most waste per person.
*It's us, hi, we're the problem—or at least a notable part of it.
But we don't have to be. Knowledge is power. Through more mindful efforts in our own lifestyles and families, we can help to be part of a collective ripple-effect change toward smarter practices.
Next time you're feeling the weight of a fast-paced world, leave your phone behind and take a walk out in nature. Breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. For me, there's no better way to remember why trying to live more sustainably is so important.
--Jill Span Hofbauer
Sources
"National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes and Recycling." 2018. United States Environmental Protection Agency.
"America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2023."U.S. Census Bureau.
Parker, Laura. "The World's Plastic Pollution Crisis Explained." 2024. National Geographic.
"Our Planet is Choking on Plastic." UN Environment Programme.
"Consumer expenditures in 2022." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"Global Waste Management Index 2022." SENSONEO.
Comments