Sustainability is a balance between current and future demands for resources. However, maintaining this balance can be challenging, especially as the human population continues to rise. For these reasons, maybe sustainable systems should start small. Gradual and consistent changes would likely be easier to implement compared to completely abandoning the systems we currently have in place.
While environmental issues often fall onto the government, individuals have some responsibility as well. The public might be misled because unsustainable ways of living are regularly promoted. For example, companies urge shoppers to buy their products through strategic marketing. Oftentimes, consumerism causes people to excessively purchase things that they don’t need, but small habits can make the shift to sustainability easier. With sudden large changes, there would likely be economic, social, and environmental problems. Companies would go out of business and people would lose their jobs. However, it would be much more feasible for smaller steps to be taken so people can learn how to live more sustainable lives. Educating the public is an imperative step in creating more sustainable systems. In the end, governments can enforce environmental policies, but the public has to also take action.
“Even if we halted fossil fuel emissions today, emissions from food systems alone would likely push global temperatures beyond the critical 1.5℃ target and undermine efforts to keep warming under 2℃, cornerstone goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement” (Why COP30’s Success Depends on Comprehensive Food System Action). Both food production and consumption contribute to global warming. Diet is often an overlooked factor, but more sustainable eating habits would lead to a significant decrease in emissions. For example, we can use leftovers to create new recipes rather than buying food or plan out meals for the week to avoid purchasing too much. Interestingly, there’s actually a food surplus, but waste and a lack of accessibility are what drive food insecurity.
Efficient water-energy systems can also have beneficial outcomes regarding global warming. “High-income countries risk losing up to 8% of GDP by 2050 if water and energy inefficiencies persist. This could be as much as 10-15% for lower-income countries” (COP30 Must Treat Water-Energy Efficiency as Adaptation’s Non-Negotiable Core). Once these new systems are in place, people would have to adjust accordingly for maximum efficiency, especially because the sources of water and energy aren’t endless. Routines as simple as reducing time for showers and using a dishwasher instead of handwashing could make all the difference.
Global environmental issues are often portrayed in a negative light, but the public would feel more encouraged if they believed that their actions could have a positive impact on the larger issue at hand, one that’s already impacting society. Instead, the media could share what new resources and technologies are available to combat the global climate change crisis. This is where sustainability education comes into play. Would that look like a revised K-12 curriculum, state-by-state policies, or continuing education? Perhaps libraries could serve as a hub for sharing new sustainable practices with the community. The big question is this: how do we change a culture that isn’t as sustainable as it could be? Ideally, we should work to progressively implement sustainability into our daily lives.
Resources
Why COP30’s Success Depends on Comprehensive Food System Action
COP30 Must Treat Water-Energy Efficiency as Adaptation’s Non-Negotiable Core