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Sustainable Living: Recycle, Energy Conservation, Sustainable Architecture, Ecology And Organic Farming

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Published: January 21, 2008

Global welfare is in jeopardy as of late. The state of the environment is in flux, and with every passing day it becomes more damaged and depleted. The rate at which nonrenewable resources are being used is exponential, as is that of rampant deforestation. With the progression of ecological demise, the question of how long it will all last becomes more pressing. Concerned parties are looking towards different ways of living, making an encompassing adjustment to their typical, daily routine. With sustainable living, the environment can be maintained and bettered through more environmentally sound concessions.

Sustainable living is more widely known as simple living. In essence, sustainable living is achieved by stopping the flagrant consumerism of the environment and practicing a lifestyle that thrives without impoverishing natural resources. Sustainable living requires an immense change in modern life, ranging from transportation and housing to energy and diet. Through various methods of preserving and restoring the environment, sustainable living is fruitful.

Ecological systems as they are now cannot last forever. Through various conservation strategies, this progression towards expiration can be slowed and perhaps reversed. Making more sustainable decisions as opposed to the contrary is an ideal place to begin. Instead of throwing out the newspaper in the garbage, recycle it. Making use of sunlight instead of artificial light aids in energy conservation. Buying organic produce directly impacts the need for organic farming, reducing soil pollution and erosion. By examining ecology through this viewpoint, it is easy to see how humans affect the environment and conversely so. In order to make the most of the natural environment and what it produces, individuals in society must give back what they take.

The easiest ways to move toward sustainable living are through daily lifestyle changes. For more sustainable living, recycle everything possible. It does not take any more time to recycle something than it does to throw it in the garbage. With each American producing 4 ½ pounds of waste per day, this adds up to an incredible amount of trash being dumped into landfills. Through sustainable living, all these recycled materials reduce pollution and toxin production in the soil, water and air. Less toxic emissions will help energy conservation, slow the depletion of the ozone, and eventually calm global warming. Every small action can impact the environment in a huge way, all contributing to the idea of sustainable living.

On a broader level, changes in transportation, housing and diet also need to be augmented for sustainable living. The move towards sustainable architecture is gaining momentum as the negative impact of buildings on the environment becomes more apparent. Sustainable architecture, or green building, designs more efficient edifices for space and energy conservation. These sustainable living buildings are being erected from natural materials such as bamboo and harvested wood, rather than crippling the forests. Buildings are more apt to produce and use their own energy through sustainable architecture as well. Though this concept has yet to reach the large masses of modern society, a change in housing is critical to achieve sustainable living.

Organic farming is perhaps one of the most vital efforts in shifting to sustainable living. Ecology examines how individuals impact their environment and how favorable that environment is for survival. With world hunger an ever-present issue, many search for an answer to efficiently and ably feed society without the environment incurring more damage. This facet of sustainable living is achieved through organic farming. Organic farms produce higher yields of food, for a smaller cost. Farmers do not need to spend the money on the detrimental pesticides and fertilizers. Organic farms reduce soil pollution and erosion and are more compatible with wildlife. By society creating a greater demand for organic food, this aspect of sustainable living can flourish.

The ecological footprint left on this planet has already been imprinted by society. However, through more sustainable living practices and lifestyles, the environment can replenish and prosper. Only through change will the ecological crisis desist. Sustainable living is one way to divert from the ceaseless devouring of resources and incessant polluting of the Earth. Moving more towards sustainable living is the most viable option considering the toll already taken on the environment. The future and welfare of the planet hangs in the balance on society's shoulders; it is up to the human race to determine which way the scale will tip.


Sources:
"Sustainable Living." Wikipedia. 14 Oct. 2007. 16 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_living.
"Sustainability." Wikipedia. 16 Oct. 2007. 16 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability.

"Sustainable Architecture." Wikipedia. 16 Oct. 2007. 16 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_architect ure.

"Can Organic Farming End World Hunger?" E/The Environmental Magazine. 2007. About.com. 16 Oct. 2007. http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/ a/organicfarming.htm.

"Ecology." Wikipedia. 15 Oct. 2007. 16 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecology.

"Environmental Impact of Recycling." City of Gainsville. 2006. 16 Oct. 2007. http://cityofgainesville.org/recycles/busi/env_imp act.shtml.
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