What does sufficiency mean in the context of sustainable development? Surely you have heard of the sustainability strategies that should be anchored in politics and business to make our coexistence more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly and to improve the Environmental problems of our time to solve. One of these strategies is sufficiency - represented by the question: How can we do less Natural resources consume? For an honest answer to this, we need to find out and assess what we really need and what the right amount is.
In this article, I would like to introduce you to what exactly sufficiency is all about, what examples there are of it, how each of us can live more efficiently and to what extent sufficiency really means doing without. Let's go!
You can find a brief overview of the article here:
What does sufficiency mean in relation to sustainability?
In sustainability research, sufficiency (Latin for sufficient) is understood to mean the effort to achieve a reduction in consumption and behavior by changing the prevailing patterns of consumption and behavior. to achieve the lowest possible consumption of raw materials and energyin order to create natural Conserve resources. To this end, people's existing needs are scrutinized. The aim is to save materials and resources by consuming less and using fewer services.
In simplified terms, the sustainability strategy of sufficiency means, to consume what you really need. Completely in the sense of the minimalist lifestyle.
Difference with consistency and efficiency? The sufficiency strategy does not attempt to make a product more resource-efficient or replace it in an environmentally friendly way. Instead, the fundamental need to consume the product is questioned in order to simply produce and consume less.
What are good examples of sufficiency?
So how can we consume fewer resources? Here are some examples of sufficiency to make the concept a little clearer for you:
- Meat consumption: It does not have to be all people vegan and completely abstain from meat and animal products. What is important, however, is a conscious and reduced consumption of resource-intensive meat products.
- Sharing: I don't need my own bike, I share it with others and use it when I need it. This means one less bike is produced and therefore material is saved. (This also applies, for example, to car sharing or borrowing a drill from a neighbor)
- Tourism: You only fly once a year by plane on vacation to reduce climate-damaging CO2 emissions for your own lifestyle - and relax more at home, sustainable garden or at destinations that can be reached by train.
- Dry the laundry: I hang my laundry on the line instead of using the tumble dryer. This saves me energy and on sustainable way also money.
- Heating: Go to sustainable heating also includes wearing slightly thicker clothing at home in winter so that less heating energy is required.
There really are countless examples of sufficiency. If you can think of any others, please write them in the comments. But you can also derive some of them from the following paragraph.
Tip: For sufficiency and more Technical terms around the topic of sustainability I have put together a comprehensive wiki for you. Feel free to take a look.
How can everyone act sufficently?
The Earth overload day, that is the one of the Day in the year that we humans have consumed more renewable resourcesthan the earth can reproduce in the entire year, basically moves a little closer to the start of the year every year.
So what can each and every one of us change in order to live more efficiently? That's clear, Change is often difficult for us humans. But here are some relatively easy-to-implement measures that mean nobody really has to do without anything:
- Travel more by public transport: This way you are more relaxed, cheaper and, last but not least, more resource-friendly on the road.
- Think minimalist: Unnecessary Consumption does not make you happy - On the contrary. Living in excess takes our well-earned money out of our pockets and at least subconsciously burdens the soul.
- Save energy: For example, boil your pasta water in the kettle - and leave hot leftovers from your meals to cool outside the fridge before putting them in. These are just a few examples of how to save a lot of Save energy.
- Buy second hand: Of course, buying second-hand also saves resources, as no new product has to be produced. This is particularly the case with short-lived items of clothing. You can find out more at Slow Fashion.
- Avoid food waste: While others People starve - we are so full in the western world that countless tons of edible food end up in the garbage can. Reduce your food waste consciously - for example, by shopping strictly according to a shopping list that only contains the food you really need for the week.
- Think of others: You are not alone in the world. And even if you don't always realize it directly, your actions have consequences for others. You alone decide every day whether you live at the expense of others or not.
These are just a few ideas for inspiration. Even more tips and tricks for sufficiency and a sustainable life can be found in the linked article.
Sufficient action means acting responsibly in the interests of all
Politics, business and all our actions must be geared towards the goal of a sustainable sufficiency economy rather than profit maximization in order to bring about sustainable change.
Does the consumption of resources through a reduction in demand for goods mean doing without? Rhetoric of renunciation is out of place when it comes to not buying or using something you don't need anyway. Basically, you just refrain from destroying your own environment. Sufficiency does not mean an absolute renunciation, but merely an adjustment to a healthy level. Healthy for the planet, healthy for us humans and all life on earth. Sufficiency should ultimately enable good living conditions for everyone - including future generations, which may include your children and grandchildren.
Do you have questions, suggestions, criticism or valuable input on sufficiency, sufficiency policy or resource-friendly consumption in general? Then I'm eager to hear your comments.
Stay sustainable,
PS: Did you know that there are also climate and environmental protection measures that almost subconsciously encourage us to act more sustainably? You can find out more about this in the article about the Nudging.
