I do love a good challenge! Every year I set goals and one of my goals for this year is to share 21 sustainable swaps that I have incorporated into my life. In order for them to be truly sustainable for me, they have to be changes that I can maintain and/or that I feel make an impact that is equal or better than the effort put into doing them.
Each week or so (because life), I will choose one of the changes I have made and share some of the reasons I have made that change. I will do my best to be honest about the investment it took both in terms of time and money and my family’s reaction, because let’s face it, it takes way too much energy to sustain things without support.
There are a few influences in my life that have lead me to make these changes. I have always had strong examples of responsible environmental citizenship around me. My parents are sailors and crossed the Atlantic on a 30-foot sailboat. You can read more about their adventures here. They returned with stories about plastic islands and floating garbage. Their boat is now powered by an electric engine with a battery powered by solar panels. When I went back to school to become a teacher, environmental education was highlighted and in my first year as a teacher I became a part of our school Eco Club. Children learn more from what they see than what you tell them so it is important to walk the talk. Over the past few years I have continued to learn and incorporate changes to live more sustainably one step at a time.
I believe it is important to start with small, manageable steps in order to create long lasting habits. That’s what makes it a sustainable swap. And many people making small changes can have a big impact!
Bri Sustainable 