Sustainable development is a concept that comes from the Brundtland Report in 1987, which warned about the negative environmental consequences of globalization and economic growth. This publication also tried finding possible solutions that were caused by population growth and industrialization.
34 years later, there are many challenges that humankind still faces today, including climate change, hunger, inequality, and water scarcity. All these can be resolved at the global level only through promoting and following sustainable development, along with committing to social progress and environmental balance. Many businesses and global enterprises as well as smaller companies should follow practices that some sustainable companies already implement for better sustainable development.
But what can we do? Based on reports and publications like The Blended Finance Approach for Effective Impact, we show you steps for sustainable development you can follow.
1. Reduce, Reuse Recycle
It's time for you to reduce the garbage is thrown, which can help lower carbon emissions, along with saving energy resources, and your garbage disposal expenses!
You can start by Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling.
- Reduce how much garbage the household generates through purchasing concentrates and refills. You can also purchase in bulk, which gives you more volume with less packaging, which will mean less garbage. You may also use reusable shopping bags, mugs, and a lunchbox over takeaway packages.
- Reuse items you may consider as garbage by giving away or selling unwanted items, which will reduce any trash that should have gone to landfill. Also, be creative on the things that can be reused, such as empty containers, envelopes, plastic bags, among other items.
- Recycle by segregating your biodegradables and non-biodegradables, and see if your local community has any recycling details.
- There are also other things you can follow, such as compost or using worm farms. When you compost food and garden waste, it will save a lot of space at the landfill and use fewer trash bags, which saves you money in the long run. Plus, these are great for your garden!
- Another way toward sustainable development is by purchasing pre-loved and recycled products, which would reduce the waste going to the landfills.
2. Save Water
Most of us have access to clean and fresh water, which we sometimes take for granted. Here are a few tips you can follow to save water:
- Fix all water leaks you have, such as leaky faucets or toilets. These leaky water sources, if they drip every second, can waste around 10,000 liters of water yearly!
- Do a full load when using the dishwasher and washing machine. This will use less water and energy per kilo compared to partial loads. It’s best to use appliances like these when they are full so you can save on water usage overall.
- Be sure to use water wisely at home, changing small habits. Start turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth, or placing a plugin your sink to save water as you wash or shave. Try monitoring your shower time as well, using a shower timer, which can make a huge difference in water usage.
- You can save water even in the garden by putting plants suitable to your area's conditions, using mulch around plants so it retains moisture, and capturing rainwater in barrels to use for the garden, and washing the car. When using a rain barrel, you can reduce the demand for water by up to 20%!
- Finally, opt for water-efficient products such as dishwashers, showerheads, toilets, faucets, and washing machines. Purchase products that have water efficiency labels.
3. Save Energy
There are a lot of things one can do to make the house healthier while still consuming less energy. While some are either free or require an up-front investment, it will save you money in the long run and create a positive impact on the environment.
Switch off appliances at the wall, along with the lights after leaving a room. Lights and appliances can use a lot of energy even when they are on standby!
Try to use your hot water supply wisely, as a lot of the average household’s energy bills will go toward the water heater. Check the hot water cylinder’s insulation to see if there are any leaks and repairs to be made. Furthermore, consider getting a solar water heating system or heat pump water heater.
Figure out what part of the household uses a lot of energy, which can help you know what to do to lessen it. Get a power monitor or energy audit for the house, and invest in energy-efficient products instead, which should have an Energy Star label.
Wrapping It Up
While these are simple steps and investments, they can go a long way toward making the world a better place and achieving sustainable development. Do follow these tips and steps today and be part of the great change for our planet.
If you have questions or would like to share more tips on sustainable development, comment below. We appreciate all of your thoughts.
