Why live sustainably? 3 convincing arguments for environmentally conscious action

Why should you live sustainably? A question that everyone should ask themselves. And while I am typing these lines into my keyboard, I am a bit surprised that I am writing them at all. After all, what does it say about our society when we have to justify why we care about other people and animals, as well as a healthy planet on which we ourselves live? At least not that it acts in a future-oriented and long-term manner? But that is exactly what sustainability means.

In this article, I would therefore like to briefly and concisely explain why we all need to learn to live sustainably. Let's go!

Why should you live and act sustainably?

Perhaps I also need to clarify the question a bit more: Why WE MUST live and act sustainably? Because there is simply nothing else left for us to do. Either we live sustainably now - or, at some point, not at all. Sustainability is actually a simple, forestry principle: No more wood may be felled than can grow back. Nevertheless, the German, and also the global, economy is slipping Earth Overload Day steadily further towards the beginning of the year. Every day, we continue to saw the branch on which we are sitting - and live on credit. At the expense of the environment and at the expense of other people. Because we waste natural resourceswhich actually have to last the whole year. It's like having €1,000 a month at your disposal, but having to borrow money from friends as early as the 13th of the month.

Here I would like to give you my personal, three most important reasons why we all need to live sustainably together.

1. because we are facing the greatest challenges of all time

We humans are facing a mammoth task. We have to save our planet - from ourselves. The following challenge is an essential part of this task:

• Climate change
• Plastic waste in the environment
• Deforestation of the rainforests
• Water shortage
• Species extinction

Whether these or further Environmental problems of our time: they are all due to us humans. More precisely, each and every one of us. We have created the problems. And that is why we are the only living beings on this planet who can solve them. In addition, there are also social problems, such as the World hungerwhich is a direct consequence of our wasteful, resource-intensive and anything but climate-friendly lifestyle.

We only have the one planet - if we destroy it, everything we do, everything we own and everything we dream about is worth nothing.

Why live sustainably? Because the challenges become greater with every day we don't do it. Through our resource-intensive way of life in industrialized countries like Germany, we endanger all life on this earth - including our own.

2. because it enriches our life (together)

A sustainable life for each individual has a positive effect on ourselves and on the coexistence of our global society. Why? Here are a few examples:

• Better health (e.g., through clean air and waters, and fertile soils).
• Higher biodiversity (e.g. through lower Land consumption our way of life)
• More money for important things (e.g. through reduced consumption, see also save money through sustainability)
• Clean landscapes (e.g. through waste-avoiding life)
• More time with family and friends (e.g. through minimalist life)
• Higher satisfaction to act according to one's own values (e.g. when no animals have to be fattened and killed for one's own diet)

When we live sustainably, we are much more the people we actually are. We would never saw the branch we are sitting on - yet we pay money for products that do just that.

A sustainable, future-oriented lifestyle stands for the preservation of human values. Helpfulness, mercy, kindness and Openness for new things. Is it human to destroy the planet and all life on it? If that is really the case, then I guess we have it coming.

Why live sustainably? Because all living beings on earth, including ourselves, benefit from it in the form of health, contentment and happiness.

3. because it needs people who lead the way

We humans are creatures of habit with groupthink. Only when the majority does something do we think it makes sense to join. There is a lack of willpower and long-term imagination, and therefore a lack of alarm. Moreover, it is much easier to shift responsibility to others, such as politics or the economy - before changing oneself. But that is exactly how nothing changes. If you never think outside the box, you'll always eat the same thing.

"The greatest danger to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." 

Robert Swan

In the fight against injustice, environmental problems or other types of challenges facing society as a whole, it takes, as always, people to lead the way. People, like Greta Thunberg, who make climate change more tangible. Or simply People like you and mewho demonstrate to others in everyday life or on the Internet, or learn from others themselves, how an environmentally conscious lifestyle works. It is important to constantly know why one lives sustainably. It is people who Launch online petitions and go on demonstrations against grievances. It is the people who first inform themselves and then act who change the world in a positive way.

Why live sustainably? Because we are role models for others - not least for our children and grandchildren, who will be living on this planet for a very long time to come. Whether they are allowed to live there - or have to live there - is something we decide here and now.

Why we need to live environmentally conscious and sustainable? Because there is no longer any alternative

We simply have no choice. Either we live future-oriented and sustainable now - or at some point we won't. No one has to do everything perfectly - every small step is an improvement! One should only not take steps backwards or stand on the spot. Those who live sustainably should not impose anything on anyone. It is important to show others that it is also possible to be more sustainable.

Feel free to look further in the Sustainability Blog to develop yourself step by step.

Do you have any questions or suggestions about the reasons for sustainable living? Or can you think of any others? Then just write me a comment.

Stay sustainable,

PS.: I have also written you an article about it, why you should live plastic free. Look with pleasure times purely!