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By Ivan Chen  It’s normal to face challenges when beginning a sustainable lifestyle, but they shouldn’t discourage us from making meaningful changes. (Credit: RosZie/Pixabay) Many people want to live more sustainably in an effort to protect the planet. But despite the growing awareness around environmental issues, there are often barriers people face that make sustainable living difficult. Here are some common challenges to sustainable living, along with fixes that make greener choices more realistic and tangible.
1. Cost A major hindrance to sustainable living is cost. Sticker shock can be a common feeling when looking at goods like organic foods, eco-friendly household products, sustainably-made clothing or electric vehicles. Some might be discouraged from buying these goods due to their price. The most practical fix is to work within a budget. It’s unfeasible for most people to completely swap everything in their lives with an eco-friendly alternative. Look for small, easy and budget-friendly changes first. Also consider reframing the context of these changes. Rather than viewing these purchases and swaps as expenses, think of them as investments in both personal health and the environment. A stainless steel water bottle might have a higher upfront cost than a pack of plastic water bottles, but it can be used significantly longer and will produce less waste over time. Sometimes, purchasing new products isn’t even necessary. Resources like local libraries, the Toronto Tool Library, clothing swaps and repair cafés help reduce consumption, and in fact, can save money. 2. Convenience and Habits Convenience and habits are another common obstacle to sustainable living. Many unsustainable conveniences and habits have become commonplace. Single-use utensils and cups can be easily disposed of after one use, but this generates a significant amount of waste. Aim to create an environment that makes sustainability a priority and more accessible. Some ideas include:
Breaking old habits and taking steps that require a bit more effort isn’t always easy, but each small step can build momentum without feeling overwhelmed. 3. Excessive Information There’s a lot of information, jargon, products and brands out there that are related to sustainability. Some might be factual and effective, while others may not be. This can leave people confused and cynical. Consider looking for goods that have sustainability certifications like those from Fairtrade, Forest Stewardship Council and B Lab. At the same time, be wary of vague wording like “all natural” or “eco-friendly,” as well as the usage of green colours and nature imagery on packaging. Unless there are more specific details on the label or online, that could be a red flag that something isn’t as sustainable as suggested. Whenever in doubt, remember simple rules of thumb, like reusing items, being mindful of consumption and shopping local when possible. With that said, we don’t necessarily need to know everything about sustainability. Focusing on setting goals about specific topics you want to learn about and doing your best to achieve them is much more productive. 4. Societal Norms Many personal decisions are shaped by our peers and environment. In a world that favours convenience and disposability, it can feel intimidating to go against the grain. While it’s certainly easier said than done, remembering the purpose of mindful living and not letting external pressures and opinions discourage you is key. Joining like-minded sustainability groups can also be a source of encouragement and make this journey feel less isolating. Societal norms are hard to change and go against, but they can bring about major cultural change. Efforts should be made throughout communities to build a culture where making eco-friendly choices feels natural, convenient and aspirational. 5. Feeling Like Individual Actions Don’t Matter Climate change and waste production can feel immense compared to one person’s efforts. So much so that it’s easy to question whether individual actions even matter. Truthfully, they do. Over a person’s lifetime, the impact of practicing sustainability can add up. Focus on progress and not perfection. Setting clear, tangible goals is more practical than transitioning completely and immediately into a zero-waste lifestyle. This all-or-nothing approach will only lead to burnout and feelings of giving up. Performing waste audits and tracking household energy and water usage can help you visualize progress and inspire continued efforts. Also, don’t be afraid to share accomplishments with friends, family or groups. Sharing success stories can inspire others to take action. Remember, broader collective change starts with individual action. Living sustainably isn’t always straightforward. It comes with many challenges that might turn people away from pursuing this lifestyle. But through individual and community efforts, and the willingness to rethink behaviours, sustainable living can become more enjoyable and rewarding for everyone. By Ivan Chen  While technology has immensely benefited society, its development and use have major impacts on the environment. (Credit: Fauno/Pixabay) Advancements in technology have profoundly transformed society. Humans are more interconnected than ever before through various means of communication, such as video and phone calls, social media and instant messaging. Technology has also made education and learning resources more accessible. However, despite technology’s many advantages, it carries significant environmental costs. From massive, energy-hungry data centres that house and power the digital world, to growing mountains of electronic waste, the environmental footprint of technology is becoming harder to ignore. Environmental impacts The lifecycle of many technological devices — from raw material extraction, to consumer use and eventual disposal — has implications for the environment. Resources like cobalt and lithium are necessary for the production of goods like phones, computers, electric vehicles and solar panels. Demand for cobalt and lithium is surging due to the global push for renewable energy and digital connectivity. However, the extraction process of these resources takes a toll on the environment. The Democratic Republic of Congo mines most of the world’s cobalt, producing over 70 per cent of global output. The country has seen significant deforestation and water contamination from dust and debris as a result of cobalt mining. High concentrations of cobalt have also been linked to crop damage and declining soil quality. Similar issues can be found in the extraction of lithium. Depending on the extraction method, large areas of land have to be cleared for open-pit lithium mining. Brine mining, on the other hand, requires millions of litres of water to pump underground, lithium-rich brine up to the surface, which is then evaporated in large artificial ponds to remove the lithium. Chemical solutions may also be used to extract lithium from ore, but they risk seeping into soil and water sources. These processes are highly disruptive to wildlife and the environment. Unless steps are taken to mitigate these problems, the impacts could be intensified as the need for technology continues to increase. The environmental impact of using technology often goes unnoticed by many. Just about all digital activities — asking ChatGPT for homework help, playing video games, streaming movies, sending emails and attending video calls — affect the environment through their reliance on data centres and data transmission networks. These systems keep the digital world running by storing, processing and transmitting data, but they also use a lot of electricity, much of which is still generated from fossil fuels. According to the International Energy Agency, data centres and data transmission networks each accounted for nearly 1.5 per cent of global electricity use in 2022. Data centres worldwide are projected to emit 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, led by Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft. In addition, many data centres use significant amounts of water to cool down electrical components. In the United States, estimates suggest that about 64 billion litres of water were used in 2023 for cooling purposes; that’s expected to double or even quadruple by 2028. Demand for energy, natural resources and digital infrastructure is only expected to grow in the coming years, especially with rapid developments in fields like artificial intelligence. The environmental toll doesn’t end when devices stop working. Electronic waste (e-waste) is a rapidly growing stream of solid waste. Commonly discarded items include computers, mobile phones, household appliances and medical equipment. In 2022, around 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced globally, and only about 22 per cent of that was properly collected and recycled. E-waste is often illegally transferred to Global South countries that lack appropriate regulations and enforcement, recycling infrastructure and training. This leads to e-waste being commonly dumped on land or into water bodies, thrown into landfills along with regular waste or incinerated. This improper handling of e-waste releases toxic pollutants, like lead, dioxins and mercury, that can contaminate soil, air and water. If current trends continue, global e-waste is projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, while recycling rates could fall to 20 per cent. Summary Technology has major environmental costs that extend throughout every stage of its life. The resource extraction process damages ecosystems, everyday use and the operations of digital networks consume vast amounts of energy and the disposal of devices leaves behind considerable amounts of toxic waste. At the same time, technology has transformed the way humans live — for the better, in many ways. Technology is one of society’s best hopes for solving these very problems, especially if it is used differently. The world is only going to become more digital, so innovation and progress must go hand in hand with sustainability if technology is going to serve both society and the planet. There are steps that individuals can take as well. We should utilize the devices and technology we already own, repair them when necessary, buy secondhand and dispose of them at recycling centres where available. The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association Waste Reduction Group’s REmarket event has a partnership with Renewed Computer Technologies (RCT), where people can drop off e-waste to be refurbished or recycled. These small steps ensure technology is sustainably used in our day-to-day lives. Edited by Jess Blackwell
By Ivan Chen  Sustainable living may seem daunting, but making small changes to your everyday life can have an impact in the long run. (Credit: Nature_Design/Pixabay) It’s easy to believe that living sustainably requires big sacrifices and lifestyle shifts. That’s not necessarily true. Many changes are easy and can lower your carbon footprint. Here are some simple and local actions you can start taking today. 1. Shop at a farmers’ market Buying food and other goods from farmers’ markets is a great way to lower your carbon footprint. Vendors at farmers’ markets are often locals, meaning that goods travel a shorter distance and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Goods at farmers’ markets also generally use less packaging. Toronto is home to many farmers’ markets, including those open year-round at St. Lawrence Market North, Allan Gardens and Dufferin Grove. 2. Bring your own cup Single-use cups are a commonly discarded item. In 2024, the city of Toronto introduced a new bylaw requiring all retail businesses that serve drinks in single-use cups to accept reusable cups from customers. If you’re someone who enjoys getting drinks on the go frequently, consider bringing your own reusable cup. Sure, you’ll have to clean it afterwards, but this small step can greatly cut down on waste over time. 3. Utilize bulk and refill stores Many everyday products come in plastic packaging that’s discarded after use. Some bulk and refill stores cut down on waste production by allowing you to bring your own containers to stock up on goods like soaps, seasonings, coffee beans, grains and snacks. Stores include The Source Bulk Foods, Saponetti, Unboxed Market and Bulk Barn. 4. Shop secondhand and attend clothing swaps The clothing industry takes a heavy toll on the environment. Consider visiting a thrift store or consignment boutique the next time you need to buy clothes. Clothing swaps with your friends, family or community are another way to sustainably refresh your wardrobe. Secondhand shopping keeps clothing in use for longer while reducing demand for new production. Check out Double Take on Gerrard Street East, or the many thrift stores in Kensington Market. 5. Fix it at a repair café When something breaks, the first instinct for many of us may be to toss it and buy a new one. But one alternative is Repair Café Toronto. Run by volunteers, the group hosts pop-up events throughout the city, offering free repair services on items like electronics, clothes, jewellery and small appliances. The volunteers will even teach guests how to make small common repairs themselves. Before throwing out that seemingly unrepairable household item, look out for one of their pop-ups and see what they can do first. 6. Get a library card The library card from Toronto Public Library is an underrated sustainability tool. By borrowing instead of buying, production demand for physical copies of items is lowered. One copy at a library can be shared by hundreds of people over its lifetime. The card also gives people access to special resources at certain library branches’ Digital Innovation Hub. Some of these resources include 3D printers, audio and visual production studios, sewing machines and high-tech computers. By providing access to these resources, the library card reduces the need for people to purchase items individually and maximizes the use of existing community resources. None of these efforts alone will solve the climate crisis, but they are actionable steps for Torontonians to lighten their carbon footprint Edited by Jess Blackwell
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