Sustainable living

Human society is facing multiple crises. Our main method for dealing with them is technology, and we do so ignoring that similar use of technology is what brought about the crises in the first place. We use technology in attempt to remove all boundaries that stop us from getting what we want, when we want it. We are no longer able to adapt ourselves; we only know how to adapt the environment around us. Accepting our own limitations and those of nature is not considered an option, and we make every effort towards finding technological solutions that can make our desired lifestyles sustainable.

For many, the word «sustainability» is dead, either through overuse or misuse or both. I think the term still encompasses how we need to approach the way we live. Most of us are, however, not able, or willing, to see the true costs of our consumption, and therefore cannot understand what it takes to actually live sustainably. Ideally, we would not only embrace sustainability, but also frugality: Instead of using as much as our available resources allow in the long term, we should only be using as much as we actually need, which is not much.

Our attention is incessantly filled by idealisation of materialism. I do not think traditional advertising in itself is the biggest problem. The consumer lifestyle is so thoroughly ingrained in our culture that we perpetuate it ourselves through what we highlight in social media, in conversations over lunch, in parenting, in how we show appreciation of each other. The view on what we «need» is completely distorted, and we allow our personal goals and motivations to be excessively affected by what others seem to want. We are convinced that any problem can be solved by buying something, whether it is getting new clothes or having a far-away vacation.

It is a tough challenge to change our mindsets and start redefining how we approach life. Although I am outspoken about this and feel strongly about the need for change, I struggle to make significant steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle. I am, however, surprised at the general lack of desire to live differently. The effects are no longer in the future: Frequent extreme weather, shrinking biodiversity, the loss of nature¹. It is long overdue that we mentally make the connection between our lifestyles and the resultant costs.

Consumers, companies, and regulators are pointing fingers at each other, and no one can agree who is responsible for taking action. It does not matter who is responsible; what matters is who can do anything about it. The answer is everyone. What I find depressing is that many have no faith in the actions of individuals. Any large reform starts with human beings willing to speak up. Personally, however, what motivates me the most is not whether my actions can actually lead to change, but rather that I want to contribute as little as possible to the destructive exploitation of the planet and of the less fortunate people who are paying the price for the over-consumption by the richest.

To contribute to greater visibility of people and projects that are aiming to change the current trajectory, I am collecting online resources that inspire and inform on the topic of sustainable living: Sustainability. In this context, I use the terms "sustainability" and "sustainable" to mean having respect for our own and nature's limitations, ensuring that humans and nature can co-exist indefinitely with minimal harms and losses. Due to my line of work, I have a bias towards focusing on digital technology, but I also collect resources from other domains.

Achieving meaningful change is virtually impossible within the current system, and grassroots movements outside it is crucial to find new ways forward. Hopefully, many small projects can snowball into a change of the tide.