Overcoming Sustainability Paralysis

“Somebody should do something“

So we are all aware by now that we need to reduce global warming, that we ought to produce less waste and that there are too many people living and working under horrid conditions. We are constantly reminded by the likes of Greta that we need to do something, that we have done wrong in the past and that the clock is ticking. We’ve also been told that it is up to us, the people, and not the governments to „do something“.

Ok — fair enough. But what does that actually mean? We have been brainwashed for decades into increased consumption, fostering economic growth, searching for convenience and falling for empty status symbols of tangible possessions. How do we break out of that cycle; that world we created? Even if we truly wanted to?

The paralysis pandemic

If you are anything like me, you are utterly confused around the effects of your actions and choices and you always feel a little bit ashamed when you …. well, when you do anything, really. All of a sudden you realize you have sold your soul to the devil by consuming palmoil in essentially everything, you‘ve been killing ocean life with your kids‘ plastic straws, you‘ve heated up the earth by going on holiday for the last 20 years, the farmers that produce your coffee were driven into extreme poverty and your new jeans were stitched together by 5-year olds. Shame, guilt and the question — what IS a viable alternative? After all, not all of us can be like Greta who can sail across the globe to make the point that flying is bad for the environment (which is certainly is).

Most of us have jobs, bills, mortgages, kids, sick parents and a whole lot to worry about in our direct frame of reference. Admittedly, none of those problems compares to a dying planet…. but they are more easily tackled on a daily basis. Or are they?

Maybe we all have a chance to do good without giving up everything in the process.

What now?

First of all, nobody is perfect, but everyone can do something. We need to break out of the shaming and blaming cycle and all make a real effort on our own terms.

Secondly, we need to acquire knowledge and facts to take informed decisions — which admittedly, is hard in the days of social media, sensationalism and fake news.

Thirdly, when we have those facts, we need to act accordingly.

So, for example, if someone tells you palm oil is bad, look it up, decide if they are right, find out what you can do and if you want to look for alternatives in the future (if they exist).

Fourthly, don’t be paralyzed by the sheer volume of bad you seem to be doing. If you have driven to the supermarket (bad), but you haven’t used any plastic bags (good), you’ve bought fair trade coffee (good) and bought local produce (good), let yourself tackle the „car“ aspect on another day. After all, it‘s better than not making an effort at all.

Get your fix here — Stay tuned for sustainability deep dives

This Blog will try to shed light on specific Sustainability issues in each of the coming entries and hopefully you‘ll be able to make some sustainable choice that help the planet and your conscience in the future. Stay tuned for topics to come like:

1) Footprints vs Handprints — think positive in the days of „Weltschmerz“

2) The water crisis — Should you stop flushing your toilet?

3) Fast Food, Fast Fashion, Fast Destruction — Slow it down, people!

4) Is climate anxiety a thing?

5) Maxed out? — The credit card with a Carbon Limit