Sister Mary-Paula Cancienne & Jason Giovannettone
Taking time to become as informed as possible about concerns related to sustainability, especially those that affect our lifestyle, is a wise practice; many actions that initially appear to have a positive effect on the planet may cause harm and/or have harmful social implications.
For example, installing solar panels on your roof is great for the planet because solar is one of the cleanest sources of energy available. But we also know that many companies source the panel materials from countries or regions of the world that are considered conflict zones where unfair labor practices are common, and/or where the local communities are negatively impacted by the extraction of raw materials.
As a second example, electric vehicles (EVs) may seem like a great way to reduce our carbon footprint, but the extent to which that is true depends on where you live and how much of your electricity is sourced from fossil fuels. Many of the metals used to create EV batteries are sourced from regions where child labor is rampant, where there is deforestation due to mining, or where groundwater quality and quantity are depleted to a level that cannot sustain human or animal life.
Purchasing toothbrushes or utensils made from bamboo may sound like a more environmental-friendly option when compared to plastic, but they may be causing significant harm to critical habitats if the bamboo is not certified to have been grown and harvested in a sustainable manner (certified by the FSC or Forest Stewardship Council).
There are always trade-offs, but some are wiser than others; Information and awareness are important. As you consider sustainability in your life, ask the following questions:
What are the practices that shape my own formation around love and care of Earth? What do we need to form ourselves into people who have sincere concern for the environment, who are willing to take informed actions to conserve Earth’s environment, and who have the passion to spread a message in a way that is not confrontational and not righteous, but whose attitude and practices lean more toward invitations to address problems as equal members of a community. Not necessarily easy, risk and sacrifice are always possibilities.
Consider implementing these sustainable practices:
- Purchase a bamboo toothbrush.
- Purchase a native plant (maybe wait for the spring for this one).
- Try a shampoo bar.
- Select “no” each time you are asked whether you would like a receipt at the gas pump.
- Identify the trees and plants growing in your yard using an app such as “Picture This.”
- Remove the vines from one of your trees. (This really helped me realize what a negative impact invasive vines have on tree growth.)
- Use laundry and/or dishwasher tablets.
- Refrain from using straws with your drinks when dining out.
- Purchase “pasture raised” or “free range” organic eggs that come in a cardboard carton.
- Brain-storm with friends for other ideas and investigate their pros and cons.
- With a friend or as a family/group, choose an idea to enact and be mutually supportive.