The word “sustainability” can be used in many different ways, from business to the health of our planet. Through environmental sustainability, the goal is to reduce the consumption of resources, prevent pollution, and carbon emissions, and reverse some of the existing climate change threats—so that we can live comfortably on earth both now and far into the future! 🌎✨
Here at Moonshot, we’re dedicated to climate-friendly food production through the use of locally grown ingredients, the support of community farming, and the movement away from preservatives, fertilizers, and chemical additives.
Sustainable development is a large and complex issue, but when we work together, embrace new energy sources, and consume conscientiously, we can all make a difference.
What is Sustainability, and Where Does It Matter Most?
Sustainability is the goal of utilizing resources necessary for today’s survival without taking them away from future generations. This idea was defined by the Brundtland Commission in 1987, well before discussions of climate change were common.
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
This means that we, as a collective society, use only the food, water, clean air, and communal health resources that are required to move forward, and avoid depleting them before the next generation gets the opportunity to do the same.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of sustainable thinking, development, and consumption is a positive one. Sustainability focuses on many of the issues that pose a threat to the health of the environment including water pollution, rising oceans, the loss of species and habitats, and much more.
When we live sustainably, we support the long-term health of air, water, and land by reducing pollution, providing safe environments for animals to thrive, and encouraging species rehabilitation. Many factors go into environmental sustainability, but the core themes are clear. The fewer pollutants and emissions we put into our world, the more world there will be for the next generation to enjoy.
Personal Health
Sustainability also has an impact on our personal health and wellness. When food is grown with pesticides and fertilizers, we can ingest them and suffer long-term side effects. Pollutants that leach into the water system can contribute to a variety of illnesses and long-term air pollution can create more cases of health conditions like asthma.
Public Health
Not only is sustainability important for reducing the amount of pollution and chemicals we are exposed to in our daily lives, but it’s necessary for mitigating the threat of natural disasters, as well.
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and blizzards can increase in severity and regularity as the result of rising global temperatures. This can lead to displacement, injury, and exposure to pathogens from sitting water, all of which are a threat to the health of humans around the world.
Even the use of antibiotics to feed farm animals can create more virulent strains of bacteria that can lead to future health complications.
Forms of Sustainability
Sustainability can take many forms within industries, governments, and individuals. Here are a few ways we can embrace sustainability in our daily lives.
Sustainability in Energy
Alternative energy is an important tool in our fight against climate change. When we use hybrid vehicles, opt for public transportation, and replace our personal energy sources with more efficient alternatives, we reduce the use of fossil fuels and the number of carbon emissions that are released into the atmosphere.
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Transportation: There are many alternative energy transportation options available today from major auto manufacturers. Pushing for more transportation options, including reliable public transportation, can lead to a reduced need for gasoline and coal.
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Electrical Grid: About half of electricity is produced from coal and fossil fuels. While there are individual ways to connect to the local solar grid, these can be expensive short-term solutions to a larger problem. Moving forward, it’s important to advocate for a shift in policy that leads to a renewable energy electrical grid at a national level.
It’s important to speak with our government representatives, stay informed on the issues, and engage in local, state, and national conversations to help make concrete policy changes.
Sustainability in Food
Food and agriculture are important areas for developing and expanding sustainable products. Here are a few ways to embrace sustainable eating:
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Shopping Regenerative: Regenerative farming is a method of farming that moves away from the use of fertilizers and pesticides, minimizes tillage of the land, and diversifies crops to enhance nutrients in soil and prevent the overuse of natural resources.
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Plant-Based Products: Plant production has a significantly lower impact on the environment than meat or dairy production. There are many ways to replace animal-based ingredients in your home with plant-based alternatives.
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Shopping Local: Shopping local means shorter supply chains, less impact from transportation, and less need for preservatives and chemicals in our food. It’s also an excellent way to support community farmers and local growers.
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Purchase Ethically Sourced Meat: It's not the cow—it's the how! 🐄 There are many ways to consume meat while still living sustainably. When you choose meat that is raised sustainably, you can reduce your environmental impact and still follow a lifestyle that works for your needs.
Social Sustainability
Social sustainability is a key facet of environmental growth and climate justice. Very often, issues related to climate change such as natural disasters, famine, or pathogens affect those already disenfranchised in our community. People of color often disproportionately shoulder the burden of climate change impacts. When we work to live sustainably, it is important to give voice and pay attention to those often kept silent.
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Speaking Up and Supporting Beneficial Public Policies: Every citizen in America has a voice. Staying educated on issues of climate change, following content creators and advocates from your community and beyond, and speaking up in the face of climate injustice are all ways to use your voice in the fight for a sustainable future.
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Supporting Fair Trade: We don’t always know who produces our food. Members of the agriculture and food industry are often vulnerable to mistreatment and may be in positions where they have few alternatives or other choices. The Fair Trade movement was designed to hold companies accountable, to ensure that working environments are humane and wages are fair and livable, and to reduce harmful impacts on the environment and natural resources in agricultural regions.
Supporting Fair Trade certified companies and shopping locally are essential ways to both reduce your environmental impact and to help those who often cannot come to the table themselves.
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Supporting Businesses That Are Making Efforts Toward Social Justice: Here at Moonshot, we are Black-owned and love all humans. That means that we uplift and support underrepresented communities in every aspect of our company, from choosing diverse external partners to incorporating important educational content about the intersectionalism of climate change and social justice on our social media.
And we’re not the only ones. When you purchase from, support, and share about businesses that are making efforts toward change, whether that means using Fair Trade ingredients, purchasing locally, or embracing alternative energy, you encourage others to do the same.
Businesses can more easily access the resources they need to make positive change, and more consumers will find the benefits of sustainable growth, production, and use. This allows sustainable businesses to expand and grow responsibly.
Conclusion
There are many ways to live sustainably today, whether that means replacing your current energy sources with alternative options, shopping with purpose, or embracing public policies and advocating for their implementation. Sustainable living means producing and consuming in such a way that there are still resources left for future generations. We hope that you embrace some of these recommendations today!
Moonshot is here to help. We believe that good, healthy food is part of a much larger conversation. That’s why we work with local farmers and community growers, why we’re a carbon neutral company, and why we embrace the benefits of regenerative growing to enjoy the fruits of the land while also giving back.
It’s also why we hope you’ll join us on this journey, as we strive for healthy and sustainable food that makes us feel good and leaves the earth feeling good as well. Learn more about how you can get involved in the fight for sustainability today 🌱
Sources:
IISD International Institute for Sustainable Development
What Is Sustainability and Why Is It Important? | EnvironmentalScience.org
