Just this week I got my list of school supplies for my kiddo. I took a long time to go over everything they wanted (I still haven't even gone to the stores) then I emailed the school directly if the zip-closed bags were really needed or if we could swap it with something else, I asked what purpose the school intends for this product ... if they're for art supplies can I buy an mental pencil case instead? If it's for leftover pantry-safe food can I buy a glass container with lid? By asking these questions I am trying to let them more be aware of the schools needs and also re-examine that they could ask the parents to buy items that LAST not the one-use-and-toss products items they're used to getting. Some stuff I can't eco swap like the pump hand-sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, that I understand and I'll buy that but I'm trying this year (and going forward) to do more eco swaps like if the school wants paper towels, buy one that's 50% or higher recycled paper towels.
It's so upsetting to think, we are taking resources from our future kids and the next generations. By not being mindful and not controlling our impulses, we are making things harder for our future too! Ooooff, it's a lot :(
Really important video, thanks for making it. Learning about Earth Overshoot day was one of the main reasons I became a minimalist 7 years ago. It really made me think about overconsumption in my own life - even though I was already trying to consume ethically. Now when I see advertisements that promote overconsumption they repulse me to be honest. Also by buying very little - I can afford to get higher quality, more eco-friendly items when I do buy something - and I'm not wealthy by any means. I don't think overconsumption is taken as seriously as it should be - I think that can be seen by the fact that some of the countries that are ranked as being the most eco-friendly have really bad Earth Overshoot day rankings (with Denmark being the most notable). Overconsumption - the excessive process of turning more and more living nature into dead objects/resources for us to buy and corporations to profit from might be less tangible for people than say climate change - the effects of which are becoming more and more felt by people - but life on our shared home is already paying a high price for it - with the decline in biodiversity and habitat loss.
Great video! It's great to share facts with others, so I definitely appreciate hearing about Earth Overshoot Day. It's a great reminder to do what you can to reduce your consumption and get back on track if you've fallen off the wagon. Since becoming pregnant, I've done a few things that many consider "against the norm" that I'd love to contribute to this conversation to help others keep their impact as low as possible while bringing a new baby into the world. #1 - You don't need to buy ANY maternity-specific clothes. I've purchased my maternity wardrobe secondhand, which are all regular dresses I can wear for years to come. For jeans and shorts, you can do the hair band trick, which gives you more space to wear your jeans and shorts. #2 - You can find all the baby clothes you need secondhand [& all natural materials]. You don't have to shop new for any of it. Full disclaimer, I do have a few new pieces, but 99% of my baby's wardrobe is secondhand. #3 - Shopping secondhand for baby gear saves a lot of money and most things are in brand new condition. While I know you talk about shopping secondhand for things, I actually came across people who thought it was taboo to do this for baby gear. Blew my mind! I got so many great deals, including a $1,200 convertible baby crib for $200 that is in brand new condition, will last through toddler years, and will be able to be resold once we're done with it. #4 - Asking friends/family if they have any baby gear I can borrow or they just want to get rid of. My sister gave me several things including an all terrain stroller, which saved me from having to buy those things. #5 - Focusing on natural materials and chemicals. All cloth materials are made of cotton or bamboo and will be line-dried. Toys are wooden or natural rubber. Zero products with fragrance and harmful chemicals. I'm avoiding plastic things as much as possible, as well as harmful chemicals. Secondhand or not, this is very important to me. I think people get excited about bringing new babies into the world that they forget that it can be done sustainably. I haven't been perfect with everything we've gotten, but these three things have helped me keep my impact as small as possible. Hopefully, they will help other people in this community, too! 💚
Yes! I love this video! Also another thing that you didn't point out but that can reduce our emissions drastically is cutting down meat! I'm vegan for the animals so I'm biassed, but even if you don't care about animals, a vegan diet emits the lowest carbon. Eating more plant based meals is a really easy way to reduce our emissions, and if everyone were to do it it would have a huge impact!
I remember when I was in college, one of my professors had us take the test that showed when Earth Overshoot Day would be if everyone acted like you. It was for a healthcare literacy and advocacy class and it has stuck with me ever since! This professor is still a mentor to me now and she is part of a sustainability non profit that just got certified this year!
Hello Emma listening this reminds me of “day zero “ saying toss around for water for example. I consider trees as reCoveRable as it takes more time than say the sun to return vs say coal to regenerate. 8:13 I recom”mend” it. I try to reuse more while reducing where possible. Cycle the resources back into useful state.
Note im pretty certian old pasta sauce jars will not work for pressure canning it may work fermenting if u can get a proper sized lid and ring also the lids are a one time use thing due to the attached gasket. Also modern produced canning jars are of poor quality and the lids are shit and often dont seal with a few exceptions i recomend superb canning lids company they are actually made correctly instead of the cheap chinese slop. Most cheap clothes nowdays are made out of stretchy plastic fibers idk how mendable that would be i never learned. when my mom offered to teach me my reply was what use case would i have the garment industry was outsourced 20 years ago and clothes are made so cheap that they are semi disposable.
Thinking about the end life of a product has actually stopped me from buying unnecessary things, even secondhand items. I also think about the clutter and that also helps☺️
Hi Emma!❤ please make us a video about sustainable birth control methods it’s literally no one talking about it on social media! especially most birth control methods are very wasteful and disposable like condoms . I’m not married yet but it’s going to help me so much in the future.❤
It's not just for married people, but I will do my best! I don't feel comfortable making this video though as I am not a doctor. Condoms are less wasteful than a child anyway. Please consult your doctor about your specific needs and interest in the planet. I cannot make this decision for you
@@caseymartinez5641 But sometimes pregnancy occurs even with an IUD. But other people say it's because it wasn't positioned properly, maybe that's the reason
Im guessing the ecological footprint is mostly some generalized indicator of consumtion like carbon or ghg emissions cause otherwise u would need a number of differant footprints for timber soil water... i suppose could then average these footprints also i dont know how u would factor the use of nonrenewable materials like metals minerals and fuel into a basically a yearly budget. People in the usa dont really consume more than europeans in real consumerism terms most of the differance in carbon emissions is badically most people in usa are forced due to cost and zoning to live in large poorly built single family suburban houses and drive everywhere also usa has more extreme hot and cold so more heating and cooling.
