Hi, my name is Sarah, and I’m a consumer.
For most of my life I’ve bought whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it. I spend free time in front of a screen, watching media, surfing the Internet and streaming on YouTube. I tweet, I tumble, I browse Facebook and Pinterest. I like to travel. I own a car, I eat at McDonalds and drink coffee. I shop online. I forget to bring my reusable bags to the supermarket, I drive when I could walk, and I leave my computer running when I go to bed.
This means I’m just a member of a modern, commercial society. Practically average in every way. Only, I want this to stop. Because it has recently occurred to me that this way of living doesn’t line up with things that are important to me. Like my family, my friends, living a rich and fulfilling life, being of strong body and sound mind, and caring for my environment.
The Earth is warming faster than at any time in the past 10,000 years; it’s anticipated that more than a million species worldwide will be driven to extinction; by the end of the century, 150 million people will likely be climate change refugees and 30 million others will be starving; 46,000 pieces of plastic debris float on every square mile of ocean around the world; we currently need at least one and a half planets to sustain our current lifestyles; and I could give you hundreds of facts and examples of how we are killing ourselves and this planet. This is not a drill, people, it’s time to wake up and change a few things ’round here.
It’s not just about hugging trees and saving polar bears. The problems facing developing countries are only going to get worse as temperatures rise; pollution from chemicals leeching into our air and water causes numerous illnesses in developed countries, such as respiratory problems and cancers; and the entire world will suffer food shortages in a changing climate. All because we love our stuff.
And really, how valuable is stuff? When you’re on your death bed, are your going to regret not buying that iPhone 6? Or that flat-screen TV and flash new BMW? How much of that convenience is really necessary? After all, the more money we spend, the more we have to work, so in the end we’re just sinking our time back into our jobs. None of that convenience is used to spend more time with friends and family.
Why couldn’t things be different?
The Sweet As Life is a project started by myself and my partner Hendy as we try and make our lives better. We want to know the facts of the matter, down to the scientific evidence; we want to know who we can trust, and what companies we should support; and we want to enjoy the lives we lead, finding sustainable alternatives instead of dropping out of society completely.
Oh, and we’d love for you to join us. I believe sustainable living is rooted in community. Follow us, help us, ask us, and join us. Because there’s no way we can do this alone.