When the new year arrives, this is the perfect time to reset them and rethink them.
As you make New Year’s resolutions, keep the environment in mind.
“The amount we consume to meet our needs and live our aspirations increases exponentially for some. However, many do not have enough to survive. We need to rethink how we can live better and lighter, “said Garrette Clark, head of sustainable lifestyles at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
“Why not take advantage of this new year to restart what you want from life? Think about what’s really important to you, what you really want and need. Think about experiences, being close to family and friends, and buying products that contribute to these goals and that can last longer, can be used multiple times, or improve everyone’s well-being.
“Young entrepreneurs show the way. Inspired by the creativity and resources available, they create new business models to change the world. ”
If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. The UNEP community of change makers is happy to lead the way. Read on for inspiration and start 2021 as the most sustainable global citizen.
Think about what you are buying
Be aware of what you are buying. Keep track of how and where your purchases were made by checking supply chains. Ask where your food comes from if you are unsure. Talk if you need unnecessary plastic cutlery when cost-effective options are available. Order paper and leave that plastic coffee lid behind!
These are small things you can do. But sometimes it can be hard to keep track. What can help you is the Evocco app, founded by young champion Hugh Weldon. The app aims to educate the user on the environmental impact of their food purchases. Take a photo of your food purchase receipt to receive instant information about the environmental impact of your purchases.
Specifically, keep in mind fast fashion – go slow
“Fast fashion” describes the process by which clothing is created quickly to adapt to trends, often using materials that can be harmful to the environment. These clothes don’t last long and quickly end up in landfills.
The fashion industry produces 20% of the world’s wastewater and 10% of the world’s carbon emissions. This is more than all international flights and shipping combined. Every second, the equivalent of a textile garbage truck is dumped or burned. If nothing changes, by 2050 the fashion industry will consume a quarter of the world’s carbon budget.
Luckily, there are alternatives. Think of an option like the 100% sustainable Green Hug clothing line, founded by young change maker Jorge Eduardo Lomeli Carrillo. It manufactures clothes with rubbish, made up of 50% PET bottles and 50% recycled clothes. Compared to conventional clothing, the environmental impact is reduced by up to 90%.
Enjoy plastic-free personal care products
Each year, an estimated eight million tons of plastic end up in the ocean. Did you know that personal care products are an important source of microplastics? They move to the oceans through our baths. Look for face wash, day cream, makeup, deodorant, shampoo and other plastic-free care products by 2021.
There are many environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic-contaminated products. Batoul El Hakim, a 2018 Young Champions finalist, founded Savvy Element. Your company aims to design safe and environmentally friendly chemical solutions while reducing the use of harsh substances that contribute to hazardous emissions and waste. The active ingredients and materials are typical of their country of origin, they are extracted and produced using ecological techniques, low energy consumption and high water intensity techniques.
Bring your own reusable bag if you go shopping
Many shops and supermarkets provide their customers with disposable plastic bags to transport their goods. However, these bags end up harming the environment as the main source of plastic pollution. When carrying your own bag, reduce plastic waste.
Young gear maker Alhaji Siraji Bah found his own way to fight disposable plastic bags. Create eco-friendly biodegradable paper bags from banana leaves to combat plastic pollution. It has already produced more than 250,000 eco-friendly bags.
Bring utensils when traveling
Whether you eat or place an order, you’ll probably get disposable utensils with your food. Worldwide, one million bottles of plastic drink are purchased every minute, while up to 5 trillion disposable plastic bags are used each year.
An easy solution is to discard cutlery and plastic bottles when we eat out or travel. Pack your own utensil kit and a bottle of water when you travel or know you’ll be eating and drinking on the road.
You can also ask for sustainable alternatives in restaurants. Ipsita Gupta, regional finalist for Asia and the Pacific, initiated the Patradya Project which provides biodegradable bio-edible bio-edible bowls and cutlery.
Do you have what it takes to be a young Earth champion? Applications will open soon. If you click Submit, you can be part of our community of change creators; participate in it and be part of the conversation about environmental change.
The Young Champions of the Earth Award, promoted by Covestro, is the leading initiative of the United Nations Environment Program to engage young people in tackling the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.