Why you shouldn’t be afraid to be different when it comes to sustainability
I would like to note that no one needs to be afraid or fear anything. Of course, people save money because they want to save money, while for others, the sustainability aspect is paramount. In any case, I have met all kinds of people, from mothers with lots of small children and people on a tight budget to people who own real estate. So, as you can see, different people are participating. The important thing is that, regardless of our background, we are all contributing to making our world a better place, saving food, and respecting the gifts of nature.
In Germany, I have experienced prejudice and negativity. But you don’t need that here. In society, we are easily taught to be pessimistic, to find faults instead of seeing what is good.
That’s why we should let go of things like shame. No matter how much you earn, I think it’s nice to save edible food. And income is relative.
For example, what good is it if you earn a lot but spend more than two-thirds of your salary on rent?
But that’s another economic, capitalist issue.
My vision for a better, more beautiful world
My ideal scenario is this:
Every citizen of the world, regardless of their country, profession, appearance, or abilities, receives a piece of land where they can live with their family and farm it. Because we are all citizens of the world. Does a raven pay rent, or a squirrel? Just imagine that.
Of course, everyone would have a solar power system on their property to cover all their electricity needs, as well as greenhouses and hydroponic systems inside so they could grow their own fruit and vegetables, as far as the climate allows. No one needs to worry about rent, high fixed costs, or being kicked out because, for example, the landlord announces that they need the property for their own use. If you want to move and change countries or location, this is of course possible with contracts. Via house and land exchanges. Inventory can be taken over in return for compensation, either in money or other means.
Nice idea, isn’t it?
Everyone can then build and expand their house as they wish, for exapmple add more floors, use different materials. And if someone becomes ill or old and can no longer earn a living, they still have a nice place to live, a home.
Access to food, as we see in nature with squirrels, for example, is also free. It is regulated to some extent, so that no one can hoard everything they don’t need, but it is free.
The monetary system should continue to exist, but not for essentials such as shelter, heating, food, and water.
What I see is that people work themselves to death just to get by. Some only see their children briefly in the morning and briefly in the evening until many years have passed. And if an employer fires an employee, they are left with nothing after a short time. Of course there are laws, but no guarantees.
In my vision of a better world, we have small plots of land with small, cozy houses as basic amenities. Just the essentials, with solar panels, the possibility to grow food, space for children, dogs, and cats, for barbecuing, and a water connection. No one lives in fear and has more time to do good and help others.
Some would call my idea utopian.
Here’s how it works: Everyone would have to earn anything extra themselves, which they would then offer in exchange for money or other goods. For example, babysitting in exchange for a bicycle repair. Everything would be recorded in a contract via an app and could be prosecuted, as there are certainly people who would take advantage of the system. Some would argue that it wouldn’t work, but I say that everyone can do something good. One person is good with their hands, another can sing, another is a good cook, etc.
So, what does my trip into a vision have to do with sustainability?
A lot. If there were a basic order, if houses were built sustainably, if everyone could produce solar energy, we wouldn’t be at the mercy of so many big players. We would be freer and wouldn’t be controlled by corporations focused solely on money. After all, what good is all that money, all those pieces of paper, if the environment is destroyed and the water is contaminated?
In my imagination, there would be no companies going to other continents to manufacture clothing, for example, and polluting the water in the process. There would be pumps and filters for the whole world. All of this is already available; the knowledge is there. There would also be no divisions into first, second, and third worlds. One example is the continent of Africa. It is referred to by many as the second or third world, even though there is prosperity there and a lot of food is transported to cold countries. Much of what is found in jewelry stores here comes from there. That is the first world, because the resources come from there. In Germany, apart from the countries where the beautiful fruit and other produce comes from, there are mainly potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other things that can be grown in greenhouses.
A beautiful sweet pineapple, for example, how is it supposed to grow here? Or melons in summer. Our world needs to rethink things, not in terms of mine and only me, but in terms of ours, in terms of us together. In my opinion, paradise is nowhere else, as SadGhuru said, but here on earth.
That’s why we can’t breathe or live outside. In my opinion, there is no hell or heaven. Our life is now.
Something spiritual, our universe, is naturally there.
Back to sustainability and the present:
There are constantly great developments, e.g., fabrics made from avocado, clothing made from hemp, although this has been known for some time, products made from plastic that are 95% recycled plastic.
I recently saw children’s toys made from recycled plastic and corn fiber woven together. Great stuff.
There are also freezer bags made from silicone. Finally, bags that you don’t have to throw away after a few uses.
Or bamboo toothbrushes. Many people are already doing a lot. There are countless great organizations that collect trash in the oceans or in cities so that wild animals don’t eat it.
Because personally, when my life comes to an end, I want to have done something meaningful.
Of course, everyone consumes; most people love beautiful things, jewelry, nice clothes, and other consumer goods. But we must all work together to ensure that resources are conserved and everything is distributed evenly.
National Economy
There are some countries in the West where almost everyone used to be a farmer, but today they have risen up, the economy has grown, and machinery is being exported.
Why is it necessary to constantly generate income? They have risen through the development of technologies. From an economic point of view, this is very good.
But what did a teacher once say to me in economics class: What good is a constantly growing GDP? What does it do for people?
Even higher consumption is not enough to justify environmental pollution, the overproduction of food and clothing, things that are thrown away when not in use, locked away from animals so that they cannot use them either.
The number remains the same? Why does something always have to be generated?
The fact is, we have a lot to learn. For example, we must not allow ourselves to be controlled by huge corporations, because once they have a monopoly, they can demand prices and criteria that not everyone can meet. This divides society.
Fortunately, I see initiatives in my immediate vicinity, such as associations for more green spaces, food rescue, repair cafes for bicycles, and other examples. I also see bee hives in public parks and university projects here. For example, air pollution is measured on streets, or flower strips with bee-friendly plants are planted.
Photos will follow, as this page will continue to grow. There is simply so much…
Despite this vision, I am not averse to consumption; on the contrary, we need many things. There are so many beautiful things in the world.
I recently bought a small plate at a market during a trip to a lake. The plate is from Spain.
It is such a beautiful plate that you can rub garlic on it, but you can also mash other things like fruit. It is practical, for example, because you can rub garlic and tomatoes on it, season it, and use it as a dipping plate at the same time, so you don’t need to dirty any other dishes.
Now, of course, I need a larger plate. Handmade from ceramic, these plates are pure works of art, available in many colors with a glazed finish.
So let’s make the world even more beautiful by choosing better, more sustainable products, by questioning many things, and by taking care of our own independence.
My next goal is to install a photovoltaic system on my balcony so I can generate my own electricity. This will reduce my bills and give me more time to do other good things.
That’s why you’ll also find product recommendations on my website.
After all, our purchases influence companies. Products that are not purchased are discontinued because it does not make sense to produce them. This allows us to eliminate the bad and promote the good even more—good that not only puts money in the pockets of individual companies, but is also good for everyone in the long term.