We’re constantly being reminded of the environmental devastation taking place around us, on the news, social media, and in regular day-to-day conversation. With so many things going wrong all at once and on such a monumental scale, it often feels like we are powerless to make any meaningful impact. We have devised a campaign that outlines how to start living more sustainably today in the hopes that it can serve as a source of inspiration on your journey towards adopting a waste-free lifestyle.
Pledge #1 of the 28 Day Challenge is about starting somewhere when it comes to making more sustainable choices.
What can I do?
Whatever your lifestyle is like, it costs nothing to try to minimise your impact – so,
Pledge #1 of the 28 Day Challenge asks you to make a best effort to follow along and do whatever is in your capacity to make a difference.
Just remember – it costs nothing to scrutinise your product choices, and think about ways your lifestyle can be optimised. After all, many of these items end up not only being better for the environment, but for your health and for your wallet too!
So whether you only commit to a small change, or whether you feel able to leap into a sustainable lifestyle with both feet, we only ask one thing – spend the next 28 days trying your best and starting somewhere!
Make your pledge a permanent commitment by leaving an Ocean Pledge.
Why does it matter?
Earth has a carrying capacity – an upper limit to the number of people that can be supported at a particular lifestyle. The ideal is that every person can lead a good life, without transgressing the boundaries of the systems we share with nature. Already, countries with a higher standard of living (South Africa included) place the highest burden on our planet. By scaling back our impact, we have the chance not only to protect nature, but to free up resources to allow poorer societies to develop and have the chance to reach the same turning point we are at.
By making small, sustainable decisions every day in our personal lives, we buy time for society to develop the technology, systems and laws to become more sustainable in areas that we can’t influence as individuals. You are literally creating a future at home!
Myth-busting: It’s too difficult to live more sustainably
When you do think about saving the ocean, climate and nature, do you ever have doubts?
- It’s going to be too much effort
- Making sustainable choices is probably going to cost too much
- One person can’t make a difference
- I’m too old to change
Well, you may be encouraged to know that living more sustainably is quite simple really:
- Changing big habits start with small changes
- Choosing more sustainable options often saves money!
- Lots of “one persons” have already had a negative impact, so the reverse is also true
- You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference
The golden rule is “just start somewhere”. Anywhere!
