Myths surrounding sustainability are common, but that’s all they are – just myths. In this article, we’re debunking three of the most common sustainability myths and giving you tips on how to live sustainably every day.
Common sustainability myths debunked
Let’s walk through the most common myths surrounding sustainability.
It isn’t well defined
What does sustainability really mean? The word is oftentimes vaguely defined. In fact, in 2015 Casey Dunning, then a senior policy analyst at the Center for Global Development, shared that asking any given analyst the meaning of sustainability would get a different definition on any given day.
While definitions may differ, the notion that it isn’t well defined is false. The United Nations describes sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. With the UN’s position as a leader in sustainability, when in doubt, this is a solid resource to point to.
Sustainability is all about climate change
It’s true that current CO2 emission levels are not sustainable for living, but sustainability is not all about climate change. In fact, the definition is much broader and covers all human activity.
This myth about sustainability is very common. While we do need a sustainable climate, we also need a sustainable political system and economy to achieve overall sustainability. Keeping this in mind will help you make sustainable decisions in all walks of your life.
Sustainability is recycling
People enjoy practices that they can easily understand, so it’s not surprising that a sustainability myth like this gets a hold, but it’s not true.
Yes, recycling is an important aspect of sustainability, but it’s only a small part of the big picture. The truth of the matter is as we deal with diminishing and failing resources, recycling just isn’t enough. Recycling only works as a temporary fix, but the proper long-term solution is something else. So, it’s important to implement other sustainable practices in addition to recycling.
Veganism means a sustainable lifestyle
The saying “you are what you eat” may cause you to think that practicing veganism makes you a lover of all things sustainable. However, that’s not the case.
While following a plant-based diet is a healthy option, it’s not a requirement if you want to live a sustainable lifestyle. Yes, it does help, but like recycling, it’s not nearly enough.
Sustainability takes too much time
In the grand scheme of things creating a sustainable lifestyle may seem like an impossible task. While it’s true that just like any major life change, you’ll need to invest time into building a sustainable lifestyle, it’s not as much time as you think.
Making small decisions day by day can add up before you know it. Simply taking things one step at a time can make the task a lot less daunting.
Sustainable practices to implement
Now that five of the most common sustainability myths have been debunked, here is a list of simple sustainable practices you can implement into your everyday life.
- Bring reusable bags to the grocery store
- Compost old food
- Drink with metal straws
- Use a reusable coffee mug and water bottle
- Recycle
- Use natural cleaning products
- Utilize natural light
- Buy vintage
- Reduce energy consumption
- Carpool
- And more
How Edenred can help
Living a sustainable lifestyle is easier said than done, but there are tools available to implement sustainable practices into your daily routine.
Schedule a meeting today to see how Edenred can help you encourage your employees to take sustainable actions in and outside of the office.
