IS ALL THAT STUFF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY?

• 75% of Earth’s land surface has been significantly altered by human actions
• Over 85% of wetlands have been lost
• Over 80% of global wastewater is dumped into the environment, untreated, while 300 to 400 million tons of toxic sludge, heavy metals, solvents, and other industrial wastes are discharged into the waters of the world
• Only 3% of the oceans were described as free from human pressure in 2014

These facts are only a portion of the devastation caused by human activity as described in the landmark report published by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The report warns: “Around 1 million species already face extinction, many within decades, unless action is taken.” 

Comprised of more than 130 member governments, the IPBES is to biodiversity what the IPCC is to climate change. The IPBES counsels that tremendous transformations are in order; among them, changes to our consumption patterns and reduced wastage.

For powerful and enduring effect, the IPBES advises efforts be directed at:

• “enabling visions of a good quality of life that do not entail ever-increasing material consumption;
• lowering total consumption and waste…;
• unleashing existing widely-held values of responsibility to effect new social norms for sustainability”

At every level, there is much to be done. For starters:

• explore the relationship between consumption and quality of life; check out newdream.org and adbusters.org
• get more of what matters (connection with others) while at the same time increasing your positive influence on social norms. Consider initiating with your networks some of these fun things already happening in other communities
• practice the 5 Rs:    REFUSE  REDUCE  REUSE  ROT  RECYCLE

REFUSE to buy products you don’t need or accept packaging that hurts our environment

REFUSE to remain silent – hold your elected officials and companies that pollute our environment accountable

REFUSE to wait for someone else to step up and solve the problem

(Here’s a challenging list of other things to refuse)

QUESTION:  What ambitious actions will you take to act responsibly, build on your commitments, work collectively, and inspire further change?  Let us know!