TAKE AN ACTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: SMALL STEPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

In recent years, problems such as climate change, deforestation and environmental pollution have been rapidly increasing.This is when sustainability comes. People often understand sustainability as something difficult, expensive or something that can be achieved by radical changes in your lifestyle. Also, most of the people deny its importance and believe that their actions as an individual will not make any real difference. In reality, sustainability can begin with small steps that taken in real life.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

According to the dictionary, sustainability is the quality of causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore being able to continue for a long time. However it is not only an environmental topic but also has social and economic concepts. Using resources responsibly, taking care of the nature and balancing how much we consume and produce are some of the important topics of sustainability.

HOW CAN WE LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLE?

Living more sustainable does not mean being perfect and changing all of your lifestyle. Another misconception is that sustainability needs extreme sacrifices. In reality sustainability starts with awareness. First you should understand what is happening and see the big picture. Awareness also helps individuals to see the environmental impact of their behaviours. These behaviors can be food waste, water usage or even a social media trend like fashion trends that changes every month. For example, realizing how much water is used for a piece of clothing can lead people to more responsible and logical decisions. When awareness is gained, small actions can motivate people and ensure more permanent results. These small actions can be carrying a reusable water bottle, having a capsule wardrobe instead of shopping every week, turning off the lights and water taps that you don't use,etc. These small steps can seem like little action but they can develop long-term habits.

What should we do to live more sustainable:

· Choosing renewable and reusable products

· Buying only what is necessary

· Saving water and electricity by closing the water taps and lights you don't use

· Donating, recycling or reusing your unnecessary belongings

· Using reusable shopping bags

· Reducing food and planning your meals

· Choosing public transportation, walking or cycling instead of driving short distances

· Separating waste at home or work

These actions may not seem significant, but when they are made together their impact can be powerful.

Things that we should avoid:

· Underestimating your actions

· Giving up after small mistakes

· Following the trends that leads to overconsumption without thinking

· Expecting quick results

· Making sustainability seem complicated

In addition, we don't need to forget that not everyone has the same resources and opportunities. For example, not everyone has the financial situation to buy an electrical car. However, this doesn't mean that they can't do anything. Instead, they can focus on what can they do and work for it even if it is a small action.

In conclusion, living sustainable depends on consistency, not perfection. Small steps can seem meaningless but they will have some valuable and visible results in the long-term period. In this journey, don't forget that your small actions will be the building blocks of the future, even if it is a small but meaningful act. Lastly ,sustainability is not a trend, it is a lifestyle.