By Sarah Bassett
The podcast currently has 68 episodes available.
Picture this – a world where each one of us plays a part in creating a sustainable future. And it all begins with the first step. Today, I want to provide you with a sustainability starter pack, a guide to help you kickstart your sustainability journey. Here are three things you can get started with today to make this a reality:
While I grew up in a relatively sustainable family, I felt quite alone when my passion for the environment started blooming. Many people in my life didn’t share the same interests that I did. Some even took it personally when I started speaking out against unethical and environmentally-damaging industries like fast fashion. I didn’t know anyone who worked in the space, I couldn’t ask anyone how they compost in our local area (because no one I knew did) and I didn’t have anyone to chat about microplastics with.
So I decided to build that community, which started with my Instagram. I’m @Sustainable_Sarahb if you’d like to connect, please send me a message and say hello because I’m always happy to talk sustainability! I followed lots of like-minded accounts, organised some online meet-ups with people I connected with and started learning from other’s experiences. Without this, there’s no way I would’ve started working in sustainability or had the motivation to create the impact I have. Never underestimate the power of community in helping build motivation and teaching you new things.
The problem with opening your consciousness to sustainability and caring for the planet is that you quickly realise how almost everything around you is unsustainable and causes environmental damage. My personality is to go down the rabbit hole when I find something new I’m interested in. I’ll binge YouTube videos, listen to hours of podcasts and Google anything and everything on the topic. When I first started to do this for environmentalism, I developed crippling climate and eco-anxiety. A trip to the supermarket would make me overwhelmed, knowing that the shelves of single-use plastic would end up in landfills and that the fridges full of red meat would cause heavy environmental destruction to produce.
This turned into overthinking spirals where if a friend would ask me to get a coffee, I’d stress out if I didn’t have my keep cup. I’d plan to buy another one but then I’d think about every step of the process of making that stainless steel keep cup - from mining the metal to the coal power needed to melt it down in China, then to the oil needed to ship it to Australia for to buy before it will inevitably end up landfill when it breaks (which will probably be pretty soon because few things are made to last these days). I felt paralysed by every decision I had to make, knowing that it was likely harming the planet in some way. It took away a lot of my happiness and I desperately wanted to unlearn all of the sustainability information I’d discovered because being conscious was just too difficult - especially considering how limited the average person’s decisions are within our unsustainable system.
This is why I always implore people to start slowly. Make little changes and don’t spiral into feeling like Atlas with the world on your shoulders. It’s not your fault the system is like this and it's not your responsibility to be plagued with thinking about every impact of everything you do. Give yourself permission to not always make the sustainable choice if it's not available to you. I now try to approach sustainable living the same way I approach healthy eating and 90% of the time I’m doing what I know to be best and 10% of the time I’m indulging, recalibrating and not stressing.
Finding my purpose in sustainability has given me such an immense amount of happiness and fulfilment. Many people who care about the environment realise humans have a spiritual connection to the earth. Indigenous cultures are some of the only surviving populations that have managed to live as one with nature, often through religious or cultural connections. These are also some of the only populations in history that haven’t faced human-induced environmental degradation the same way the Western world has. This wisdom has led me to work on nurturing my connections with Mother Nature.
This might be sounding a little bit woo-woo for some. And as someone who works in science and is studying a science-based degree, I’m happy to report there’s a lot of evidence showing the benefits of connecting with nature. Research shows things like spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the ground (also called grounding) and eating lots of plants is wonderfully beneficial for the human body. Developing practices like these and consciously connecting to the earth will not only help motivate your sustainability journey, but it feels amazing!
Your sustainable why might be that you want to see a better environmental future for your children or younger family members. It might be that it feels good to connect with a cause outside of yourself and give back, especially to something so tangible like the environment. It could even be that you’re trying to find actionable ways to quell your climate and environmental anxiety. Take a moment to think about why you care about sustainability and hold onto that when things get tough.
As we embark on a new year, let's explore resolutions that not only benefit us but also leave a positive impact on our planet. Here's how I'm doing it:
1. Finding my local sustainability community
This year I want to find ways to make sustainability fun, and the best way to do that is to connect with others. It’s amazing to do this via social media and the internet to see how people are living sustainably all over the world. But this year I want to start connecting in person with people in Sydney to do environmental and sustainability things with. Since setting this intention, I’ve already connected with two people about volunteer opportunities in Sydney and I’m so excited to get started.
2. Eating more plants
Next up, let's talk about what's on our plates. A plant-based resolution is sorely needed. I was vegetarian for years but had to give this up on medical advice from my doctor. I’ve come to the place that we shouldn’t approach this discussion in absolutes. I have vegan friends who thrive on that type of diet and I’m jealous, but unfortunately, that's not me. I still love veggie options and try to opt for plant-based food where possible, but I’ve gotten a bit lazy with this over the last few months and need to recentre my diet around plants.
3. Second-hand side hustle
This year I want to build up my online second-hand marketplace accounts and sell some of the clothes and items I have online. I previously did this in the past and love the idea that some I have sitting around gathering dust can be something new and special to someone else. It’s a great way to approach the circular economy in our own lives and helps reduce the need to use precious resources to create more things. Because let’s be real, there’s enough stuff on this planet. I’ve got an episode coming on how to successfully sell things you don’t want or need online and in real life. If that’s something you’re wanting to do in 2024, make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast to listen to that episode.
4. Finding sustainable clothing brands
Moving along, let's talk about our purchasing power. A conscious closet not only reduces your environmental impact but also encourages a more mindful approach to fashion. While I’ve mastered the art of thrifting and shopping second-hand, I’m starting to need to replace things you can’t thrift like underwear, socks, bedding etc. This year I want to spend some time researching brands that are sustainable and have the evidence to show it. There’s a lot of greenwashing to sift through but I know businesses are doing great things and I’m excited to vote with my money to support them.
5. Share sustainability
And now, our final resolution – let's talk about spreading the word about sustainability. Let’s share our sustainable journeys with others. This can be done via social media platforms to inspire friends and followers. Or it can be through our real-life communities and networks. Whether it's sharing a delicious meatless recipe or showcasing your latest thrift store find, our positive influence can create a ripple effect of change. Don’t underestimate the power this has. How many times have you seen someone using a keep cup or reusable shopping bag and thought oh that’s right, I need to grab those. It’s really powerful.
I hope these resolutions inspire you to make positive changes in the coming year. Remember, every small effort contributes to a more sustainable future. If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to subscribe, and please share your sustainable resolutions with me on social media @sustainable_sarahb and tag me. Until next time, stay green, stay inspired and have a fantastic New Year!
Zero Waste Challenge: https://sarahbassett.co/zero-waste-in-a-week/
Zero waste living is becoming more popular each year as individuals take it upon themselves to try to sort out the environmental mess we find ourselves in. And while climate change and the environmentally-destructive system is certainly not the fault of individuals, there’s nothing wrong and everything right with wanting to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Zero Waste Challenge: https://sarahbassett.co/zero-waste-in-a-week/
Zero waste living is becoming more popular each year as individuals take it upon themselves to try to sort out the environmental mess we find ourselves in. And while climate change and the environmentally-destructive system is certainly not the fault of individuals, there’s nothing wrong and everything right with wanting to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Green Geeks: greengeeks.com/track/sarahbassetteco
Most of us are unaware of the online carbon footprint and internet pollution caused by our digital habits. The carbon footprint of the internet and the systems supporting it is estimated to account for about 3.7% of global greenhouse emissions. In comparison, air travel is thought to account for around 2%. Find out who the biggest digital polluters are and easy ways to lower your online carbon footprint.
Green Geeks: greengeeks.com/track/sarahbassetteco
Most of us are unaware of the online carbon footprint and internet pollution caused by our digital habits. The carbon footprint of the internet and the systems supporting it is estimated to account for about 3.7% of global greenhouse emissions. In comparison, air travel is thought to account for around 2%. Find out who the biggest digital polluters are and easy ways to lower your online carbon footprint.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbassett.co/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahbassett.co
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahbassettco/
Valentine’s Day is a tough one for environmentalists. It’s also a marketing holiday fuelled by consumerism, single-use plastic and a general air of not considering the environment. A lot of people abstain from celebrating in a conventional yet wasteful way.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbassett.co/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahbassett.co
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahbassettco/
Valentine’s Day is a tough one for environmentalists. It’s also a marketing holiday fuelled by consumerism, single-use plastic and a general air of not considering the environment. A lot of people abstain from celebrating in a conventional yet wasteful way.
Favourite eco things https://sarahbassett.co/favourite-things/
An eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle looks different for everyone. And with new eco products popping up daily, and being marketed as essential, it can be easy to make a few regrettable purchases along your sustainability journey. And while I will note that you don’t need to buy things to live more eco friendly, it certainly can help. Here are seven eco-friendly things I regret buying
Favourite eco things https://sarahbassett.co/favourite-things/
An eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle looks different for everyone. And with new eco products popping up daily, and being marketed as essential, it can be easy to make a few regrettable purchases along your sustainability journey. And while I will note that you don’t need to buy things to live more eco friendly, it certainly can help. Here are seven eco-friendly things I regret buying
The podcast currently has 68 episodes available.