Environmental(ust)

What does it mean to embrace a clean lifestyle and navigate our global carbon footprint responsibly—all while still leading a fulfilling and purposeful life? In the midst of life's complexities, we as individuals often yearn for adventure – the thrill of getting lost in the unknown, wandering down cobblestone streets, or diving into the deep seas resonating with the calls of creatures much larger than ourselves. We tend to romanticize our existence; I, for one, see the beauty in trees swaying in the breeze, observe the well-worn lines etched into the faces of fellow travelers, and experience profound serenity as I immerse myself in the tranquil depths of the ocean.

However, living this rich and fulfilling life inevitably involves consumption. We use disposable coffee cups when we're too groggy to savor a moment by the sea. We wear clothing fashioned by young hands stained by the vibrant, yet, sadly unnatural and poisonous dyes we find so appealing. Our society has succumbed to personal greed and the allure of instant gratification, with styrofoam, plastics, gas, and oil taking precedence.














In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." We must strive to strike a balance between our desires and the preservation of our precious lands.

Throughout my journeys and studies, I have picked up valuable insights into sustainability practices. I will forever be a student of our ecosystems, studying environmental science and film production at university. The combination of this was to allow me to grow into an environmental film documentarian, and share the knowledge I have compounded in my life to pass on to others in how to be the best imperfect eco-conscious individuals they can be. It is important to understand that, despite our efforts to minimize the carbon footprint we create and reduce our waste, perfection remains elusive in our human journey.

With this in mind, I have created a small list of everyday items I use in my life, that offset my carbon footprint. As someone who travels often and everywhere, I attempt to be conscious of my consumption while always and forever being just a gal who sometimes forgets her mug and just need a cup of tea in a paper cup.

*All of these items listed I use in my life, and would not list here if I did not absolutely thrive off these products*

House Items:

Beeswax Wrap is an incredible alternative to plastic wrap. It is the little purchases in life that often go unnoticed and add up over time. The average household goes through 1,000 plastic bags and 24 rolls of plastic wrap per year, adding up to Americans buying enough plastic film to shrink wrap Texas every year according to a study done through National Geographic.

Swedish Dishcloths are an amazing alternative to using paper towels! I think they are better, soak up more liquids, and when cleaning grime off of the counter, you can quickly rinse the dishcloth with water and give it a quick squeeze, and it will be mostly dry again!

Brushes instead of sponges for dishes: major differences in how fast you can clean your dishes caked with food, and they last loads longer than a regular sponge! No longer do you need sponge material falling apart in your soggy hands…

Tips of the trade:

Bring a mug with you when you go to a coffee shop! This is very easy to do, and people will think you made the fabulous drink you have with you when you show up to your destination.

Purchase second-hand from places in person! It is better to try things on in real life anyways, and your carbon emissions will be drastically reduced without things getting delivered to your door via car or plane.

Anytime to go to the beach, or just out in general, pick up three pieces of trash. Its so easy— it does not need to be a bucket load of trash

Give back: this seems so obvious and easy, but we are people get so caught up in our own projects, daydreams and desires that it can be hard to take a few moments to help others.

In almost every major city, you can find a refill store. I am such a huge fan of shampoo bars, but have yet to find a conditioner bar that works with my fluffy and curly hair. So—splurge on that nice bottle of conditioner you have always wanted to try, and once done with the bottle—keep it and take it to the refill store to fill up with the conditioner they sell in bulk there! In Los Angeles, there are multiple refill stores, but I can not rave about Sun Moon Rain (Recontained) enough, located in sunny Santa Monica.

On that note, shampoo, conditioner and soap bars are an easy alternative to plastic consumption in your day-to-day habits.

Plant trees anywhere and everywhere. Even if you can not physically plant them, donate money to keep trees growing—they are the reason we live and breathe ;)

These options represent just a small glimpse of the vast iceberg of information available on how to improve your daily life to be greener and cleaner.Changing even the smallest of habit changes can play a crucial role in safeguarding the landscapes and ecosystems so important to our Earth. As we heard for the thrill of adventure and find beauty in the world around us, it is essential to remember that our choices and actions have a profound impact on the environments we hold so dear. Gandhi’s wise words remind us that we must strive to strike a balance between our desires and the preservations of our precious lands. In the important words of Rachel Carson, author of ‘Silent Spring,’ “man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.”

Let this message guide our journey towards a more harmonious coexistence with the world that sustains us, for the benefit of all living beings, and for generations yet to come.

So, the question arises: How can we reconcile our aspirations for a meaningful life with our duty to protect our only planet?