As populations increase, we need to feed more people with less land and less water. Transporting agricultural resources like fertilizer, and transporting the food itself also take up non-renewable resources. Instead, I want to produce as much of my family’s food as possible in a sustainable way.
Living in such a sustainable way buffers me against uncertainty about the future, and allows me to ground myself both physically and mentally. This strengthening and balance are crucial to me because I strongly believe that without living in a sustainable, grounded way, we cannot be in a place to recognize our connection with others and with the world around us. Without recognition of that connection, we are unable to help others and help our planet.
This way of living allows me to declutter my life and helps me focus on the essentials. I can save money, buffer myself against job insecurity, and have a certain degree of independence from the grid living in a more environmentally conscious way. As an environmental scientist, of course environmental sustainability is important to me. We need to more sustainably use resources such as water, land, and the ecosystem services provided by other species. I have also now realized the importance of another form of sustainability. By this, I mean to live in a way that one can sustain financially, mentally, and emotionally for a life-time.
What I have accomplished in a very short period of time astounds me. You may be amazed at what you can accomplish in a short period of time.
Next blog post: Perks of getting off the hamster wheel