My 2023 sustainable commitments

Because it's never too late to set new goals and achieve them.

Although the new year has come and gone, it is never too late to renew oneself. So, for the reminder of the year, I commit to:

1. biking more,

2. eating more plant-based meals, and

3. reducing waste.

I chose these three commitments because they touch on reducing the burning of fossil fuels – the main cause of climate change. Let's dive in a little deeper.

Why bike more?

Because I can.

I live in a bike-friendly city and I can peddle to where I need to go. No excuses.

It’s great for the planet.

Cars are polluting machines. The transportation sector is a major contributor of greenhouse gases - this isn't good. These gases blanket the earth, trap the suns heat and raise temperatures. This is the main cause of climate change - wayyy too much greenhouse gases in the air, cuz we pollute like we just don’t care.

It’s great for my health.

Being someone who doesn’t like going to hospitals, I’d rather bike to stay out of there as much as I can. Also, biking makes me happy. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity can improve brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve the ability to do everyday activities. No magic pill required – just regular movement.

It's great for my wallet (cha-ching!)

Having a car is expensive. It all adds up: the cost of gas, repairs and maintenance. No thanks.

Why eat more plant-based meals?

Again, it's great for the planet (and it's yummy)

Agriculture is another sector that produces lots of greenhouse gases. In general, producing plant-based foods leads to fewer greenhouse gas emissions; it also needs less energy, land and water. Goodbye meat and dairy; hello mouth-watering vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds!

Why reduce waste?

Less is more

It takes a lot of energy and resources to produce, package, and transport food, clothes, electronics, you name it. Not wasting food, composting scraps, buying fewer things, buying second-hand, repairing and reusing when possible help reduce green house gas emissions.

Now, I don’t live alone, so I am curious to see how these commitments change me and how they impact my family. Will they be fully onboard? Or, will they avoid me like a Jehovah’s witness who comes knocking on a Saturday morning? I don’t know, time will tell.

Now on to you, is there an eco-friendly action that transformed the way you live for the better? Is there something your community has done to make it easier for you to maintain a sustainable lifestyle? I’m curious to know.

References

1. United Nations (n.d.). What Is Climate Change? United Nations Climate Action. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change

2. NASA (n.d.). The Effects of Climate Change. Global Climate Change Vital Signs of the Planet. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

3. United Nations (n.d.). Act Now, Start with these ten actions! Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions#plant-based-food

4. Bernstien, J. (2021, October 21). Canadians are among the world's worst carbon emitters. Here's what we can do about it. CBC News. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/how-canadians-can-cut-carbon-footprints-1.6202194

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.). Benefits of Physical Activity. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm

6. Government of Canada (2023, April 14). Greenhouse gas emissions. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/greenhouse-gas-emissions.html