Is Sustainable Living in Urban Areas a Possibility?
It’s no news that urban areas all around the world are one of the major contributors to rising CO2 emissions. Urbanization has led to irreversible human impacts on the global biosphere. It has led to the loss of highly productive farmland, modified ecosystems, and increased water and energy demands. As urbanization continues, agriculture has become concentrated in underdeveloped land and reliant on energy-intensive methods. While the environmental stress is high, the economic stress on populations is even higher. Excessive pollution has also drastically affected the health of urban dwellers.
We are all aware of how urban areas take a toll on our environment. Sustainable living in cities is possible. Here are some ways to lower your dependence on fossil fuels, curb carbon emissions, and be more eco-friendly in your daily life:
1. Being conscious of our energy consumption
At a consumer level, we can start by becoming conscious of how much we actually consume versus how much we need to consume. Urban dwellers tend to consume more energy and resources than rural residents. Energy consumption for electricity, transportation, cooking, and heating is much higher in urban areas than in rural ones.
2. Shop deliberately to avoid buying unnecessary goods
Every product we purchase has an environmental footprint, from the materials used to create it to the pollution emitted during manufacturing and transport. The item’s packaging then ends up in landfills. Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it.
3. Make more long-term purchases
Buying long-lasting items can be good for the environment. This could mean spending more, but in the long run, you will save more money.
4. Consider using solar energy
5. Find new ways to reuse what you have
Instead of turning to conveniently located stores selling cheap products, reuse or repurpose what you already have at home.
6. Reduce your water usage
Water consumption in urban areas is one of the major reasons agricultural land does not get enough water. Take shorter showers, fix leaky toilets and choose low-flow and low-water appliances.
7. Walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of driving
It’s easy to get around in the city without cars. By using other modes of transportation for your commute and errands, you can reduce fossil fuel emissions. Combine errands to make fewer trips and if you do need a car, share one with others.
8. Practice urban agriculture
9. Reduce food waste
10. Join sustainable community events or advocacy groups
What Administrations Can Do
1. Modify urban infrastructures
At the administrative level, cities need to retrofit their infrastructure. For example, they can ensure the city is walkable, bike-friendly, or can sustain eco-friendly public transit systems.
2. Give incentives to citizens for sustainable efforts
By implementing systems and policies to encourage sustainable habits for urban dwellers, they will be more likely to adopt these practices.
3. Turning to greener energy sources
A regenerative approach would make it easier for people to live sustainably. If administrations mandate solar and wind power for buildings, cities become more environmentally friendly.
4. Make communal partnerships
Partnering with communities and organizations dedicated to sustainability can enhance the quality of life for urban dwellers.
Sustainable Urban Living for a Better Future
In this time of extreme environmental disasters, we can take action to mitigate the level of future (and present) damage. As consumers, we can choose to reduce our carbon footprint. Eco-friendly practices are possible outside of rural living. If we commit to making more conscious changes, we can help the environment even in urban settings.
Sources:
https://www.prb.org/resources/urbanization-an-environmental-force-to-be-reckoned-with/#:~:text=Environmental%20Effects%20of%20Urbanization,life%20of%20the%20urban%20population.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/urban-threats
https://www.fao.org/fao-stories/article/en/c/1260457/
https://ehs.unu.edu/news/news/five-ways-to-make-cities-more-sustainable-and-resilient.html
https://www.digi.com/blog/post/sustainable-city
