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5th June 2022 is World Environment Day by the United Nations.

Only one Earth

“In the universe are billions of galaxies,
In our galaxy are billions of planets,
But there is #OnlyOneEarth.
Let’s take care of it.”

This year’s World Environment Day brings attention to a heating climate, habitat losses and pollution. The UN recommends sustainable lifestyles as part of the solution, “Key areas for transformation include how we build and live in our homes, cities and places of work and worship, how and where our money is invested, and what we do for fun. But others of greater magniture also include: energy, production systems, global trade and transport systems, and protection of biodiversity.”

Large systems and organisations are responsible for large-scale solutions. That being said, l each individual person can do something. I also personally believe in communities. Everyday people can work on projects that support their local surroundings. Whether you are in an organisation or a community, or want solo independent efforts, there is something you can do.

Here are some changes you can adopt to help the planet. I have chosen affordable options anyone can implement.

Nature is beautiful. This world is spectacular. We need to nurture this planet. Image: Unsplash, edited.

Switch to an ethical bank

Bank Australia has a policy of “clean money.” They explain how traditional banks use money at this guide, “While banks may invest your money in good, some can also invest your money in industries that do enormous harm, like fossil fuels, live animal exports and weapons.” Bank Australia chooses to use money ethically. This institution was the first Australian bank to join the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV). They offset estimated emissions from the vehicles they finance with car loans. They have been carbon neutral since 2011. Bank Australia was awarded as Australia’s Greenest Bank by Finder in 2020 and 2021. This bank has a conservation reserve and planted thousands of trees. They are making such an impact. You can contribute to sustainability and other ethics by switching to Bank Australia.

Whether you are banking spare change or your regular pay, choose an ethical financial institution to help the planet and avoid harm. Image: (piggy bank) Unsplash, edited.

Participate in an eco group or event

Contribute to a NFP or commercial organisation that supports the environment. There’s Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Sea Shepherd, Sustainable Australia Fund, Greenfleet, Australian Conservation Foundation, The Wilderness Society and more. Find a group that meets near you or online. We should meet with like-minded people who share interest in this issue.

Participate with an eco organisation. You could become a volunteer or employee. Attend a gala or pick up rubbish. However you prefer to contribute, you can make a difference. Image: Unsplash, edited.

Peacefully bring sustainability into your community group or organisation

You could carefully introduce sustainable practices into your community group or workplace. Be peaceful and positive. Suggest alternatives. Accept the reality that people may not want to change. That is their freedom. But if done in the right way, you could inspire change. What could you do more sustainably where you work or volunteer? Maybe a NFP could do ethical banking. This may or may not be possible. Consider refusing disposable products at venues - plastic straws, single-use water bottles and individually-wrapped candy. You probably could think of other similar products that are provided by default in large venues. You could bring a bunch of paper straws for your group to use instead. Encourage people to bring their own reusable water bottles. Consider the use of paper in meetings and beyond. Could more documents be kept online instead of being printed? These are small changes. But every little bit counts.

Buy second hand and sustainable clothing and accessories

The fashion industry is known to be very unsustainable. According to the Geneva Environment Network, “Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. What’s more, 85% of all textiles go to the dump each year (UNECE, 2018), and washing some types of clothes sends significant amount of microplastics into the ocean.”

We can have sustainable wardrobes thanks to a few simple methods. The most sustainable option is to use what you already have. If you own an item that could solve a problem, use it. Don’t go looking for more. If you want more clothes, shop second-hand or find genuine eco stores. I like to buy second hand clothing from Facebook Marketplace, Depop and (what Aussies call) op-shops. eBay is also an obvious choice. Buy new items from Certified B Corporation sustainable businesses such as Biome. Avoid the greenwashed products of chain stores.

Shop for second hand clothing as a way to reduce waste and dress sustainably. Image: Unsplash.

Use eco or zero-waste homewares and supplies when possible

Zero-waste supplies can either be expensive or very affordable, depending on various factors. We need to acknowledge that the price of an eco-alternative can cost more. It’s worth weighing up the pros and cons. There are ways to do what you can.

Soap bars can prevent waste. Buy a natural soap or make your own. Image: Unsplash, edited.

I like the reusable bathroom products that save money for me in the long term. Everyone should at least use eco toothbrushes. I’m adding a link to some here. But seriously - you can even get them from the supermarket if that’s the most accessible. I adore my reusable cloth menstrual pads and period underpants. I found some cotton pads on Etsy for lighter days. Stainless steel safety razors are great because they last for so long after just a once-off cost. Although I have yet to include shampoo bars in my everyday routine, I prefer these plastic-free blocks when travelling. It’s compact and natural - better than the little tubes that are provided in hotels. Let’s end the bathroom section with another obvious one. Use a bar of hand soap instead of the plastic bottle of liquid. Most people use more liquid hand wash than they need anyway. So along with the excessive packaging, the actual product becomes essentially wasted too fast. Get a bar of soap. I try to keep soap in my handbag or tote just in case I visit a park or beach that has no soap at the toilets. Just saying. Ok those are some eco-swaps for the bathroom.

The kitchen is the other space that can either be very sustainable or not. Here are some quick tips for a relatively eco kitchen. I feel confident about buying small appliances second-hand but new or near-new condition. Facebook Marketplace is useful for this. Sometimes people receive kitchen supplies as unwanted gifts and then just want to get rid of it. If you need durable basics like a stainless steel pot or utensils, check the op-shops. A larger store might offer an abundance of cutlery, dinnerware and all sorts of things. Swap any disposables for reusables. I adore my silicone baking sheets because I don’t have to worry about running out of baking paper. Meanwhile, Biome has plenty of other plastic-free kitchen products. I have used similar things over the years. If you use a coffee pod machine at home or at work, get a reusable pod. I bet the coffee would become cheaper that way too. Silicone zip-lock bags are perfectly compact. I’m a fan of any coconut fibre bottle brush. I can use this to clean out my passata jars and then reuse them. That leads to an important way to get sustainable kitchen supplies - reuse the things you have. Last week’s peanut butter jar can be cleaned to become this week’s meal-prep container. If some food came in unavailable plastic, such as a tofu tub, think of how you can reuse the packaging for crafts and other purposes.

Reduce your food waste

I must admit, I am not perfect in my quest to prevent food waste. But we all should try anything we can do to divert food away from landfill and use what we have. If you make a big batch of a meal, free small portions in glass containers. I like to find clearance vegetables, wash them and then freeze them. Put food scraps into a compost bin. This issue is complicated. Some local areas have a compost service. I technically live in the Lake Macquarie area and there is a compost bin. However, other neighbourhoods did not offer this facility. I would like to work with anyone who is interested in providing more products that prevent food waste.

Compost is an important simple practice that directs food away from landfill. Image: Unsplash, edited.

Grow your own food

Grow edible plants in your backyard, balcony or kitchen bench. You could reduce the amount of store-bought foods that become distributed over a distance. If you grow more food than you need, give or sell some to people who need it. A naturally-grown organic produce could have less chemical sprays and additives than conventional produce.

Sustainably wash laundry

Laundry should be done in the most minimal natural way possible. I won’t claim to be an expert in non-toxic affordable eco plastic-free laundry detergents. If you want a laundry liquid or powder that ticks some or all of those boxes, there are some to splurge on. Biome has a laundry powder and bars such as this fragrance-free stain remover. Stainless steel pegs feel great too. Only wash your clothes when they are actually dirty or smelly, not after each wear. Follow the care instructions to extend the lifespan of clothes and prevent waste. Hand wash delicate pieces. Dry a coloured garment in the shade if you think it could fade in the sun. Line-dry clothes whenever possible. Of course, weather can influence this. Do what you can.

Line-dry your clothes when possible, instead of using the dryer. Image: Unsplash, edited.

Eco on the go

Now the world is opening up a bit more, people are getting out and maybe travelling further. Whether you’re just going to work or travelling abroad, here are some ways to more more gently around the planet. The Happy Cow app could be relevant to sustainability because you could get more veg when eating out, therefore reducing your footprint. If a budget allows, find a sustainably-managed airbnb or eco cabin. Do some browsing and see what you can find.

Bring a few reusable and natural supplies on your adventures. The Huskee cup is one of the most durable reusable cups I have found. Although the Frank Green push-button cups prevent spills. If you’re day-tripping, bring your favourite hot drink or soup in a Thermos. I like to find ‘new’ second hand bags. I got a funky pink back pack for my child. Sometimes we need something that’s brand new though. Biome has a variety of eco bags. Keep these things in mind if you need new gear. But, of course, use what you have first.

These are all handy products. But I have also been quite strategic and budget-friendly with my eco choices when out in town. I recently took the train from the Central Coast to Newcastle, where I wanted to attend a yoga class. I had my yoga pants in my tote but didn’t have a comfy top for stretching and relaxing. I searched on Facebook Marketplace and realised someone was getting rid of a brand-name long-sleeved tee for just $5. This would also avoid the resources that go into buying a new garment. I reached the main train station and the next step was too perfect. I paid online, caught a bus to this person’s street, picked up the soft cosy top and then caught a bus from that street to the yoga studio. It was meant to be. Here is the lesson of the story. Consider second-hand gear even when you are out, not just when you are packing.

Find accommodation that is managed and made sustainably. Connect with nature too. Image: Unsplash, edited.

Sustainable Parenting

I wrote about sustainable parenting earlier. Here are some key ideas. Parents should normalise the use of pre-loved and reusable items for their children. Switch to cloth nappies, cloth wipes (or use a face cloth) and reusable wet bags. You can either buy these things new or second hand. They will be thoroughly washed anyway. Get some used clothes that are in a decent condition. Find second-hand toys, furniture and other basics. Sometimes real eco living doesn’t involve a completely plastic-free environment. Used durable toys (in a good condition) can be great fun. However, sometimes there is a reason to give completely new gifts. Maybe the extended family members want to give new gifts. There are lots of children’s toys and books that are made from sustainable materials or teach kids about the environment. Each family’s budget and needs will be different. There are honestly so many second-hand resources for cheap or free. But if you want to splurge, there are shiny new options too.

Also, we can educate the younger generations about preventing waste and living responsibly. I follow the version of minimalism that simply asks what is truly adding value. I hope I can teach my child to avoid wasting water beyonkd what is needed. Parents can also bring children to eco-conscious events and venues. Have a family outing to an eco-village or community garden. Bring your child to buy food directly from a farm or backyard grower if it’s nearby. Encourage your preschool or school to practice more planet-friendly choices. Hopefully children could be inspired by their parents, friends, educators and broader communities.

Children need to experience plants and all of nature. Image: Unsplash.

Educate yourself and others about the environment and sustainable practices

Continue learning about more ways to nurture the planet. Find books, podcasts, videos, blogs and news about the climate. Share what you learn from other sources and your own experiences. Have a conversation with the people around you. Talk to an audience. Write in a blog. Share a link on social media. However you feel comfortable in communicating, share a message about sustainable living.