Task Force on Sustainable Lifestyle

Have a look at this video and related ones to have a guess what problem our current lifestyle brings along:

Living Outside The Box Sustainable Lifestyles

Share with others, live more modest, enjoy life...

Endangered: Kiwi Bird

Want to engage in Nature Conservation? But how...

What can be everyone’s approach to prevent endangered animals and plants from extinction?

Taking appropriate measures to help those species out is not only part of NGO’s, companies’ or governments’ work to do but also every private person’s duty. But what can everyone do? Is one person maybe just not enough to get something going? Well, every single one’s participation makes a difference.

Here are some suggestions of things that everyone can do to contribute to lower the pressure on endangered species and help to improve their future chances to survive in our world.

1. Find out which animals or plants interest you and where they are found

Start with the region you live in to find out about species that could need some help. The closer to where you usually live the threatened species is the easier it is to keep track about it and understand the major issues for it being at risk.

Or else you can also choose a species that is of particular interest for you being in an area you have visited or heard of.

You might as well have a look at the IUCN-Redlist and pick interesting species from there. (see: http://www.iucnredlist.org/)

2. Learn about the current status quo of the species you have chosen

Have a look if there are already any existing projects around that tackle the species you are interested in. Also inform yourself on what the actual situation concerning number of individuals is, the size of habitats available or if there is a trend in the population size.

Here again the IUCN-Redlist can help but there are many other organizations that might give you further information. WWF (http://wwf.panda.org/), The Nature Conservancy (http://www.nature.org/) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (http://www.nrdc.org/) are examples for global NGO that can provide further details.

Have in mind that there are also many publicly and privately run regional associations that may be the right sources to consult. Also Zoos most of the time have departments for conservation of species.

3. Have a more holistic way than just the animal- or plant species you are interested in

In Eco-systems one cannot only focus on one single organism but has to take into account all the reciprocities that apply amongst all species but also with external factors coming from humans, climate etc. .

It is therefore important that you bear in mind that – similar to why the Haast’s Eagle in New Zealand got extinct – a certain species may be declining in numbers because of a lack of another species that is crucial as food source. Or plant species could heavily depend on pollination by insect species. Also could constructions of new highways substantially influence movement of animals or lead to pollution of scarce plant systems.

These are just a few examples for Co-dependencies to illustrate that there have to be extensively considered diverse aspects and different points of view.

If you think being aware of all those Co-dependencies is too much you can always ask the above mentioned specialized organizations to provide you with detailed information.

4. Together you can achieve more

Even though as stated before every single person matters the say “together we are strong” is very true. Therefore often it can be more effective to join an existing group or organization and actively participate there rather than doing something off your own steam.

Still, if there is something that has to be done for the protection of species which has not been attacked yet, get out and try to get things rolling. Nevertheless it is still best if you can get support!

5. Educate and inform other people

Another major step that you may do once you made up your mind and chosen a conservation issue that would need more support on your point of view is tell others about its importance.

Also try to explain of all the co-dependencies that effect species in our world as it was mentioned at point 3. Getting everyone to increase their knowledge on our environment is probably the most crucial thing – once people have a feeling for imbalances on our planet they will also care more and engage in protection of fauna and flora.

Copyright: Johannes Schmied

("vulnerable" Kea in its natural habitat)

Biodiversity - the multitude of different animal - and plant species on earth is a very important factor to protect the ecosystems we live in. Only if those ecosystems work well is our planet capable of providing us with enough food, drinking water, shelter, recreational areas etc. .

Sustainability therefore includes caring about plants and animals!!!

Unfortunately there is a larg amount of species that is already in danger - Yet, most of them still have a chance to survive ...

See:
IUCN Redlist: http://www.iucnredlist.org/

Individual Actions for sustainability

Here is a suggestion of 52 actions that everyone could do to become more sustainable - Make an effort and integrate them in your lifestyle!!! (Still be critical - the list may not be complete and some of the actions may not have a positive impact in every community)

52 Individual Actions for Sustainability

Environmental

1. Limit use of private vehicles (unless carpooling)

2. Purchase energy efficient tyres

3. Learn how to drive more efficiently (reduce load in car etc....)

4. Avoid and reuse everyday items (shopping bags, mugs, drink bottles, etc.)

5. Hire/borrow items that you will only use once or twice rather than buying them

6. Use high quality products that can be repaired rather than disposed

7. Turn off appliances at the mains

8. Install a timer on your hot water cylinder

9. Recycle

10. Plant and maintain native plants. Only purchase water-efficient plants

11. Avoid printing, or print double-sided, use recycled/non-bleached paper. Get all your bills and bank statements sent via email

12. Insulate with natural materials where possible/ double-glaze your house, get thermal curtains. Close the doors, pull your curtains etc.....

13. Calculate and work towards reducing your ecological footprint and calculate your resource footprint

14. Limit household water consumption

15. Wash your laundry on cold wash. Use biodegradable washing powders, or make your own cleaning products (vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda works on most things!)

16. Buy and sell second hand where you can (or donate your stuff)

17. Eat less meat, be aware of where the meat is coming from and how it is produced

18. Buy carbon credits when travelling overseas

19. Switch to a greener electricity company

20. Get rid of your ‘insinkerator’

21. Buy energy efficient appliances (light bulbs, fridges etc...)

22. Buy in bulk where possible to reduce packaging

23. Grow your own veges or join a community garden

24. Compost or have a worm farm

25. Use stainless steel instead of aluminium

26. Use cloth nappies instead of disposable

27. Use push mowers

28. Limit fertilisers, use organic where you can

Social / cultural

29. Support charities helping to overcome poverty

30. Purchase fair trade items

31. Develop your understanding of and support indigenous culture

32. Give blood / become an organ donor

33. Smile

34. Enhance employee relations

35. Get involved in your neighbourhood

36. Stay in touch with family members

37. Organise a neighbourhood clean-up of a local river or park

38. Talk about ways to be more sustainable with your friends and family

39. Join a political party and encourage sustainability

40. Donate to a charity instead of giving Christmas presents

41. Volunteer your time

42. Enjoy nature

43. Be part of the environment

Economic

44. Consumers – support local businesses

45. Businesses – sell sustainably produced products

46. Use an EMS to increase business sustainability

47. Close the loop on resource flows

48. Before buying anything, ask yourself if you REALLY need it. Be a critical consumer (is the product sustainable?)

49. Buy locally produced goods where possible

50. Don’t make unnecessary trips

51. Video conferences

52. Inform yourself about monetary and social issues, and be critical of the current situation

Contribution 4

Here is something that was sent to me a few days ago – it gives a definition on how to maybe achieve sustainability:

“Sustainability can be best achieved by a society where everybody is aware of the consequences of his actions and behaviour with respect to the environment. That means that broad information and education should take place. This will only be fruitful when we succeed in interesting the broad public. In order to do so opinion leaders and celebrities should be addressed and integrated to help. The best results might be achieved when citizens get to know what actions they can take as an individual.” (s.a.)

In a few days I will publish a list with actions that everyone could do to contribute towards a more sustainable development. So stay tuned and question the things that are written here…

Contribution Nr. 3

Sustainability can also mean sharing moments together!
This is one of Lea's + friends' contribution for social sustainability... Thank you!!!