Eco/Ethical

 
Want to Make a Difference to Your World?

Want to make a difference to the world you live in? Do you think human beings, one of many species on this planet, have no right to destroy the home of millions of other species? Do you think that the way alot of humans live in inequitable and lacks respect for each other? Do you think we have a responsibility to care for the animals, the plants and soil, the eco-systems? Do you want to find a way to balance modern human civilisation, with preservation and respect for mother nature? Are you looking for changes you can make to the way you live, to have a lower impact on the Earth, your home? Want to support those around you, who may not have the opportunities and advantages you have in life? Yes? Then, this is for you…

Why Make Changes to Make a Difference?

It's our home. Every species and creature here depends on this planet and it's eco-systems to survive. With our increasing population, the industrial revolution, over use of non-renewable resources and fossil fuels, and desire for a lifestyle of convenience, indulgence and hedonism, humans have had a major impact on the condition of our planet. What we do, how we live, does make a difference, even on an individual level (there are a whole lot of individuals on the planet!). Although Mother Nature is a powerful, mostly uncontrollable force, our modern use of fossil fuels, development of technology and resource wasting lifestyles, have negatively influenced the state of the environment.

What the outcomes will be, how bad, how quickly and who will be affected, only time will tell. Are you willing to just sit by, watch and wait (and hope for the best)? If not, then it’s time to look at how you are living and the impact your lifestyle might be having. It's time to be prepared for an uncertain future. It's time to help others who need support now.

Some Definitions

  • Reduce means looking for ways to not bring packaging or unnecessary material items into your life to start off with... choose items with less packaging (or none); buy in bulk and use reuseable containers; don't buy cheap, poor quality items; use non-resource wasting methods of communication and entertainment etc. etc.
  • Reuse means making the most of things you have... be inventive and creative where you can, such as scrap paper and toilet rolls for kids craft, cut up old material/ items for cushion covers, or alter clothing into a new style, use containers for planting etc. etc.
  • Recycle everything you can... it does take resources to recycle paper, aluminium, glass, but there is no excuse these days, with the availability of recycling bins and plants in our country...
  • Frugal To me, frugality is the art of restrained consumerism, making the most of what you have, saving money and resources to use for other things, or for emergencies, and changing your perspective on needs vs. wants in your life. This can be done by reducing wastage, reducing expenditure, being resourceful, buying or making necessities, limiting wants, curbing instant gratification, becoming more efficient, handling peer pressure and advertising, seeking cost-free options, swapping and trading, and being an informed consumer.
  • Food Awareness an important issue, from animal rights and welfare, workers rights and welfare of communities, to the impact of how your food is grown, processed, distributed, cooked and stored. Food is more than nutrition for your body, more than an object of social or emotional relationships, it has ethical, political and environmental ramifications. The food industries are a major influence on the state of the world.
  • Fair Trade is about "better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives." From FTA
But what can I do?
  • Be Prepared for facing an uncertain economic future, possible food shortages, price rises, possible unemployment or change is finances, environmental issues. This article, "The Perfect Storm - Six trends Converging on Collapse" on the Huffington Post covers it all. It just makes sense to be prepared for immediate emergencies too. Those which reduce, or cut off, food supply, medical and hospital supply, emergency services, petrol, power and water. Being more self sufficient can help you handle big issues that may arise in the future, like major petrol and food shortages, economic crisis, civil or political unrest, poor standards, or complete lack of hygiene and waste management, medical and health care, public transport etc.
  • Be Informed, Get inspired & Stay Motivated Don't just do this because I said so! Borrow some books from the library, download movies and start browsing websites and blogs (see my lists on sidebar). Here is a great comprehensive website, with lots of answers to start you off. Why Go Green? Go Greener Australia Everything on Earth is precious and should be able to be appreciated by everyone, including future generations. Yes, things change, weather is not predictable, species come and go, but why should we go about destroying things for our own selfish reasons. Humans are not the owners of Earth and the resources here, but we are caretakers. It's time to start taking care.
  • Explore your own World I also wanted to add that I am in no way an expert on these issues or suggest that you should follow my plans to the letter... everyone's circumstances are different. I just want to share what I have learnt so far, and learn more as I go too. My blog has alot on it, but these are only suggestions as how to make changes, and you will discover things in your own world that you want to change! There is so much to learn and so much information available, but take it slow. It can become overwhelming! 

Where to Start?

  • Get Organised (more here) I would suggest that you first must get organised in your life. That way you will have time, energy, money and resources to make changes. Start meal planning, make shopping lists, create a roster for housework and errands, work off a calendar or organiser, hold family meetings if need be. Sort out your cupboards and put back what you need to keep, and put aside anything you are not sure of.. it might be handy later! Make a list of your assets, and organise what resources you have in your own home, garden and garage. Also consider what education, knowledge and skills you have too.
  • Work on Your Budget (more here) sort out your budget. Get out your bills, keep track of your grocery bills and check your credit card statements, see where the money is going. Look at debts you have and how you can reduce those. Start a savings plan, go over current insurance policies and see if you can get better deals, make sure you don't have any forgotten debts, or incomes!
  • Work out a Plan - Sit down with your family/ partner/ roommates, and work out the priorities you have, what are your actual needs vs. wants, what can you make do with and what would be better to replace for a better energy rating or better efficiency. Make a plan of what you can afford to do immediately, and separate lists of further stages.
  • Take it step by step - My advice is not to try and make all the changes at once! You can easily become overwhelmed, set yourself up for failure, and give up altogether. Make changes where you can, then make those into habits, before moving onto the next challenge. Once you accomplish some easy changes, you’ll be motivated and eager to keep going. Things on this list that seem hard (or impossible, even) now, may be a lot easier to successfully change in a few months time. You don’t need loads of time, money or know-how. Learning to be adaptable, resourceful and having a positive attitude to change is the best start
  • Involve your family, friends and neighbours - that way you are having an even bigger impact, because more people are involved, you'll have support and also, group challenges are more likely to be followed through.
Here are some more blog posts to read
Remember No one is perfect. No one can be an eco-saint. Do the best you can, aiming to do better when you can. Involve your kids & have fun, don't scare them with doom & gloom! I like the Theory of Anyway... created by Pat Meadows, spread by Sharon Astyk,
"...95% of what is needed to resolve the coming crisis in energy depletion, or climate change, or whatever, is what we should do anyway, and when in doubt about how to change, we should change our lives to reflect what we should be doing “Anyway.” Living more simply, more frugally, using less, leaving reserves for others, reconnecting with our food and our community, these are things we should be doing because they are the right thing to do on many levels. That they also have the potential to save our lives is merely a side benefit (a big one, though)." From here.

Some of my Eco-Ethical Blog Posts
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