Down to Sustain

This blog will address thoughts on efforts to make sustainable choices permeating all aspects of life, from the littlest to the biggest. Are you also DTS? Let's go!

[downtosustain]

Viva la France! 1st to ban plastic plates & cutlery.

This law will be enforced 2020, and is a part of moving towards circular economy of waste disposal. While several companies/states have banned plastic bags, no one has taken it so far as to cutlery plates. Read more about it here. Awesome initiative!

[downtosustain]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGhU5K8Sb24)

Try to reduce packaging, keep an eye out for a /bio/ shop near you that allows you to buy unpackaged goods by the weight/volume. This does not only apply to vegetables and fruits, but also dry foods such as rice, cereals, legumes etc. This can also apply to specialised shops or stands such as fresh pasta, gnocchi, nuts, olives etc. While bio shops are not as big in some countries like let’s say Sweden, here are some alternatives to explore, or if you live in say, France, here is a great guide to help you. If you want to eliminate waste deluxe, remember to bring containers/bags. 

Edit: Earth Markets provides a list of farmer’s markets around the globe. It is not exhaustive, but there might just be something there for you. 

[downtosustain]

Top-tips for restaurant visits

It is so much easier to eat plant-based than most people think. While no one wants to be “that person”, I’ve found that eating plant-based makes people around you more conscious of their own consumption -> positive impact on the world (hopefully). When eating out, make sure to advise the restaurant that you are going to that you eat vegan. Before I worked at a restaurant, I thought this was a bad idea, as if I was being pretentious and demanding. In fact, good restaurants want to provide you with the best experience possible, but it is more difficult to do so when caught off-guard, especially during peak hours when the kitchen is busy. So do yourself and the restaurant a favour, notify them of your requirements. Another tip is that there is usually at least one option that is free from animal products, or can be made so. It is also possible to order vegetables and a form of carb to make your own meal, or put together several sides. But the best option is really to notify the restaurant and let them assist you in having a great experience out. Or just go to a vegan/vegetarian place :D

[downtosustain]

Meat-less meat and dairy-free cheese

While I personally don’t crave meat or dairy enough to eat it, I know there are many people who don’t feel the same. Choosing a diet free from animal products does not mean you don’t enjoy them -- take it from me! My reasons are mainly the environmental reasons, i.e the impact agribusiness has on the environment. There are some great products out there for people finding it hard to take the leap away from animal products, or just reducing their intake of them. One such brand that even convinces my meat loving father that it might be possible for him to eat even less meat is Swedish plant-based brand Astrid och Aporna. Go by and try! 

[downtosustain]

Good cloth, a company that allows for a more transparent shopping experience, making you appreciate the work, the material, and the beauty. More of this please.

“This silk dress was hand woven and hand-dyed by fair trade VillageWorks artisans. The material was sewn by fair trade Fairsew artisans in Cambodia. Fairsew believes in garment transparency and provides workers with a safe working environment, benefits and opportunities for learning and development. VillageWorks' objective is to help artisans break free of poverty. The company actively seeks to employ and empower marginalized artisans in order to give them a sustainable source of income to support themselves and their families. All materials are ethically sourced and dyes are eco-friendly and AZO-free. Liz Alig is a member of the Fair Trade Federation, a well respected organization that thoroughly inspects the practices of its members.”

[downtosustain]

100 Parties have ratified of 197 Parties to the Convention

It has been 11 months since the Paris Agreement was adopted (12/11/2015). On 5 October 2016, the threshold for entry into force of the Paris Agreement was achieved. The Paris Agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016. The first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA1) will take place in Marrakech in conjunction with COP 22 and CMP 12.

[downtosustain]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xFFyUOpXo)

[downtosustain]

Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Happy World Vegetarian Day!

1st of October marks the World Vegetarian day and the start of World Vegetarian month. A great kick off leading on to World Vegan day for November 1st. Further, this weekend marks the year anniversary of my decision to attempt to contribute less with carbon emissions and depleting our finite resources after having watched Cowspiracy. For the critics, see the diagram. AFOLU = Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use. I realise of course that the Agri-business by itself doesn’t constitute the full 25% of the economic sector it is represented by, but it is evident that it is a sector where we need to see some consumption and production changes. And it starts with the individual. This goes for the industry sector in also and will be addressed in the future.

Say what you will about that doco, but it opened up the eyes of many people and the impact of one of the most basic acts -- our eating habits. While I don’t think a fully vegan diet is necessary to lead a sustainable life style (I oppose the modern day Western eating habits of animal products, not necessarily quitting completely) I decided to try to eliminate animal products in my diet as the environmental impact was too much to justify me continuing consuming like I was used to. And of course we have the ethical and health perspective on top of that. It has been a great journey, I have learned to eat in a completely different way, discovered so many new foods, products and recipes, and found a lot of new people to be inspired by. For anyone seeking inspiration of how to cook without animal products, use google, youtube etc. I have Niomi Smart’s cook book, Eat Smart, which provides some really delicious and accessible ways to eat food that meat-eaters may be used to, but on a plant base. Let’s be more mindful of how we consume, for the planet and for its inhabitants and a more sustainable way of life. Are you also DTS?

[downtosustain]

How does one lead a sustainable life in todays developed countries?

A burning question that may have crossed many peoples mind once or twice. I know it crosses mine often. In terms of sustainable development in the world, I see it as considering environmental, social and economic dimensions in order to try to make sustainable choices. Very broad, very deep. Realistically, this means that trade-offs need to be made when making choices. In terms of the private sphere, the same principle seems to apply. This blog will address thoughts on efforts to make sustainable choices permeating all aspects of life, from the littlest to the biggest. 

Thoughts, feedback, advice are much appreciated!