Environmental dimensions of sustainable lifestyles

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Focus on individuals

Looked yesterday at the big picture
Now we can focus on the question people always ask:
What can we do as individuals?
• re-examine our values - are they compatible with sustainability?
• educate ourselves to the issues
• change our way of thinking: integrated systems view - long term
• look outward - solidarity - world citizenship
• cultivate sustainable lifestyles - live lightly on the earth - be content with little

Environmental dimensions and practical applications:

Water
• Consumption: washing, bathing, laundry
• Gardening
• Sanitation
• Pollution

Energy use
Economy, efficiency in:
• Heating
• Cooling
• Cooking
• Lighting
• Appliances
Can we reduce our emissions of CO2?

Transport
• Motor vehicles
• Public transport
• Bicycle
• Walking
• Reduce the need for transport

Food
• Fast food or organic
• Local or fair trade
• Nutritional balance
• Pesticides/hormones/antibiotics
• Meat or vegetarian
• Genetically-modified organisms

Clothing
• Natural fibres: agricultural impacts
• Synthetic fibres: persistent, non-renewable
• Socially-responsible manufacture
• Changing styles or full use
• Brand names and fashions

Housing
• Location
• Materials
• Health impacts
• Energy efficiency
• Social effects

Recreation/tourism/entertainment
• Impact on natural environment
• Transport
• Ecotourism
• Constructive or destructive

Aesthetics
• Beauty
• Natural versus man-made
• Respecting cultural diversity

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