Reimagine, recreate, restore: Small steps to a sustainable life
World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5 worldwide, is a day dedicated to educate and motivate people to contribute to the betterment of our environment. This year the theme is, “Economic Restoration: Reimagine, Recreate, and Restore”. It’s all about little additions and deductions in our daily lives for a better tomorrow.
CHANGE BEGINS AT HOME
Changing small details in our household can make a huge impact. Rajneesh Sareen, programme director, sustainable habitat, Centre for Science and Environment, says, “Reduce unnecessary use of energy. Use natural light as much as possible.
Besides saving electricity, natural light helps us be active, productive, calmer, and enhances our mood.”
The food we consume also impacts the environment. Sareen says, “Buying local and seasonal fruits or vegetables is necessary as they have lesser pesticides and smaller carbon footprints than non-seasonal ones.”
MANAGING WASTE
Carbon footprints can be reduced with proper waste management too. “There is no waste in nature. We need to take environment pollution seriously, and see waste as an asset,” urges recycle man of India Binish Desai. He suggests people learn about waste segregation, practise recycling, adopt minimalism, reuse products, shop local or from sustainable small businesses, and avoid using single-use plastic.
ETHICAL CLOTHING
Fast fashion impacts the environment adversely. Sustainable fashion designer Sreyashi Raka Das says,“Ideally, our clothes should be an amalgamation of necessity and art. People should choose natural fabrics and also try wearing recycled clothes.”
Condemning the no-repeat culture in fast fashion, Raka Das says, “Recycled as well as second-hand clothes should not be looked down upon.”