That's all very true, but instead of just saying there is nothing I as one person can do in the face of this looming disaster, we all need to think about our footprint and try to do our best to minimise it. At least we can say we did our best.
But what is our best?
I have a reusable cup and water bottle on me whenever I go out. If I get a takeaway cuppa, I produce my cup, and ask for it to be filled instead of a plastic coated paper cup that gets thrown away, and even if it's "recyclable" costs more recourses to do so.
I'm reducing my waste, my main bin is less than a quarter full, and hasn't been out for collection for two months. Nor has my paper and plastic bins been out for 3 weeks, still only half full, and no glass to be recycled either as I reuse most of it anyway.
I don't have TV, or computer, but plenty of books and crafts to learn and make things.
So electronic gadgets are my phone, radio, electric kettle, cooker washing machine and fridge freezer. Oh, and heat pump heating system, along with a multifuel stove for when it needs supplementation such as extreme cold, or power cuts.
I've sold my beloved motorbike.
(Yes, tears were shed) I now car share with a friend for journeys, or pay them if I realy need to go somewhere. I've spent much less than my insurance alone this year on travel.
I still have £150 of government money in my electricity account.
I have a productive veg garden that gives me hours of pleasure and connection to nature, aswell as food all summer long, and part of the winter too. Meat is consumed once a month, and is locally produced.
I haven't been to a large supermarket for nearly a year. I don't need to.
I shop for clothes and other needs in charity shops. Linnen tops, wool sweaters and blankets, that I could never afford new. Plus I'm not ordering off amazon or whatever, racking up more costs and pollution in manufacture and transport. (Yesterday, two glass clip top le parfet jars for half new cost.)
My walk into town gives me enough blackberries for tea tonight. Enough elder berries for elderberry syrup, which I make listening to the radio instead of watching TV.
I buy honey from local producers, not the cheap sugar adulterated supermarket stuff.
It costs more, but as I'm saving elsewhere, I can afford it.
Presents are charity shop bargains, preloved, or hand made. So is my furniture, (apart from my bed and mattress, bought 5 yrs ago, first new furniture in over 30 yrs)
I haven't gone backwards. I'm thriving, and loving being the sort of person who walks their talk, and is relatively self reliant in comparison to many.
It's a challenge for sure, and it's not always easy, but it realy brings home what you realy need to be comfortable. We have gotten too used to pushing a button for instant gratification or need that we no longer are aware what we are doing or even think about it.
We don't have to go back to medievil times to be comfortable and sustainable. If we all changed as much as we could, rather than making token gestures with our recycling bins and electric cars, much more could be done to live sustainable lives.
Trouble is, we are too busy making money to have these home comforts, we are either too tired and just want to slump in front of a TV or box set, or have no time to make, and do things that would have been normal, even back in the 70's, we have no time to live sustainable lives. Catch 22.
Work to live, not live to work. It can be done.
My new wool rug, is a fleece that would have been thrown away. I rescued two, and they are now soaking in a tin bath in the garden to clean them, and i shall be weaving it on a peg loom, which any half handy chap could knock up in a few hours. Saving them from landfill, and producing something worthwhile into the bargain.
I'm doing my best, and keep looking for more ways to improve. So I'm not being holier than thou, as I'm sure many are doing a lot of what I do too, at least, I'd hope so!
