Eden Farm Animal Sanctuary

  Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What is Sustainable Living?

"A life that is deeply satisfying, fulfilling, and appealing – and at the same time, environmentally responsible."

To understand what sustainable living is, it helps to understand what it's not.

First of all, it's not about living in the woods, eating nuts and berries, and wearing tie-dyed clothes. It's for mainstream adults – typical Americans with two cars in their garage, one of which might be a sport utility vehicle. It's for people who ski, watch TV, hike, read, snowmobile, go to movies, rollerblade, play video games, bowl, and camp. For people with mortgages and those who drop their kids off at child care. It's for people with credit cards and those who shop at malls. And for people who regularly drive up to fast food windows.

Second, sustainable living is not about never buying anything again. It is about making thoughtful decisions, considering the impacts of our consumer choices, and finding alternatives.

Third, sustainable living is not competitive. Individuals have different needs and values. Sustainable living is deeply personal, based on individual definitions of quality of life. For example, this quote might express your sentiments exactly – or it might not.

Fourth, sustainable living is not guilt-driven. It focuses not on what was done in the past but on what will be done in the future. It combines practical ideas – such as turning off lights – with intangibles such as lifestyle values and personal quality of life.

And finally, sustainable living is not "gloom and doom." It does, however, put our individual actions into a global context. While it's about taking positive steps at the individual and family level, the world we live in is an important consideration. Wackernagel and Rees, in Our Ecological Footprint, state, "It would require four Earths for everybody on the planet to live the lifestyle of North Americans."

Why Sustainable Living?

In the face of the largest number of global species extinctions since the die-off of the dinosaurs, the looming threat of climate change, and the human population rising past 6 billion people on trajectory to reach 9 billion around 2050, it is becoming obvious that the status quo cannot continue if we wish to live on an earth that resembles our home now. There is a teeming multitude in the developing world that looks to nations in the West, especially the United States, as the example of development and lifestyle. At the current rate of consumption, there isn't enough planet to go around and there will be a catastrophe if everyone adopts our lifestyle. Clearly, it is high time that we reevaluate the way we live.

As dire and frightening as our situation may be currently, we are poised to undertake a great human endeavor never before seen; the creation of a sustainable human society. Even subsistence hunter-gatherers have had tremendous impacts on local animals and plant communities that permanently changed the character of the landscape. Therefore, neither an industrial nor a primitive "sticks and berries" approach from our past is a course forward into the future, but we can take lessons from both. Ours is an age of exciting possibility and hope.

What is your vision of a sustainable future?

You, like many people, are probably wondering what a sustainable world would look like. While nobody knows for sure, we can think about the positive implications of sustainability. Imagine a world where carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is not rising at an increasing rate, where rivers flow free to the oceans that once again teem with fish. Think of a future where forests encroach on cities instead of the other way around, and where fresh clean water flows from those forests. Think of communities free of pollutants that make us ill and that produce no waste that cannot readily return to the natural environment and biodegrade. This is an environmentally sustainable future.

Picture in your mind a world that has moved past fossil fuels and derives all energy from clean renewable sources. Envision industries that produce goods that are durable and reusable, but at the end of use are completely recyclable. Think of regulations that make polluters pay the cost of the harm they do while giving incentives to businesses that innovate healthy and efficient manufacturing techniques. Imagine people, living in small communities, either in rural areas or in cities, that are mindful in their consumption; conscious of the adage "live simply so that others may simply live." This is an economically sustainable future.

Think of a world where the truth of human equality is universally understood, where slavery is a dark memory, and people of all creeds and races live together in peace. Think of a world without starvation, abject poverty, and systematic exploitation of workers. Picture societies that value the manner in which work is done as much as the product of the work. Imagine communities that honor the individual while preserving the health of the whole. This is a socially sustainable future.

For more information on sustainable livng, please visit The Sustainable Living Project.

 WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Even the smallest of actions can make a difference. Simple changes like not using your car on a short journey, not leaving the water on while brushing your teeth, buying fresh produce from local growers or growing your own are just a few ways that we can all make a difference.

Choose greener transportation anytime it is feasible. When you can reduce or eliminate greenhouse emissions produced by an internal combustion engine you can help reduce the rate of climate change. Taking public transportation, carpooling with your neighbors, or riding a bike to work are all geared toward postponing the day when fossil fuels and life as we know it will be gone.

Reduce what you buy and what you use. Manufacturing uses up precious natural capital and resources. Everything that you own comes from raw materials that were once part of the earth. Every object in your household made an impact on the environment when it was stripped from the Earth and produced. Choosing to buy less is obvious as a sustainable strategy but is not always practical. Sometimes the best choice is to buy well-made and durable items.

Save on electricity. Most electricity is generated using fossil fuels. This makes electrical generation one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gasses to the ecosystem. By using less electricity you can reduce these emissions. There are lots of ways to reduce electrical consumption. In cold climates using more efficient insulation is a great way to save on power. Using energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs gives better lighting with less power usage. Using newer appliances like refrigerators and washers and dryers is also a way to become more energy efficient.

Respect water resources. Water is one of the most precious resources on our planet so familiarize yourself with water conservation solutions. Turn off faucets that are running unnecessarily (e.g. while brushing your teeth). Take care of leaking taps, pipes, and toilets. Take short showers instead of using the tub. Water that has been used in bathing or washing can be reused asgrey water in the garden.

Generate less waste. Everything we throw away goes somewhere. Reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills is an excellent way of protecting the environment. Recycling and reusing also reduce what you need to throw away. Another great way to adopt a sustainable lifestyle when it comes to waste is to practice the art of composting.

Local Sustainable Living Resources: 

• Keweenaw Sustainablity Project - Inspiring citizens, young and old alike -- as well as policy decision makers in local businesses, industry, schools, and government -- to examine the values underlying their present choices and decisions, behaviors and lifestyles; and to explore ways to make practical changes that will contribute to community sustainability.

• Sustainable Keweenaw Resource Center- Connecting individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, institutions, and governing agencies with regionally appropriate resources and solutions for creating sustainable communities in the Keweenaw Peninsula.

"Every part of this earth is sacred. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy. The rocky crest, the meadow, the beasts and all the people, all belong to the same family.
Teach your children that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth. We are part of the earth, and the earth is a part of us. The rivers are our brothers; they quench our thirst. The perfumed flowers are our sisters. The air is precious, for all of us share the same breath. The wind that gave our grandparents breath also receives their last sigh. The wind gave our children the spirit of life.
This we know, the earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth. This we know, all things are connected. Like the blood which unites one family, all things are connected. Our Creator is the same Creator, whose compassion is equal for all. For we did not weave the web of life. We are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. Let us give thanks for the web and the circle that connects us."
~ Chief Seattle