There are many conversations about making the world greener and cleaner, yet every year, the world produces a massive 2.12 billion tonnes of waste. The planet needs saving, and it’s not so much to spare a thought and actively invest in our planet…
Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April, with many across the globe taking part in protests, marches and big clean-ups to highlight the importance of caring for the planet and going green.
While these movements signify a looming threat over the planet we call home, unfortunately, our actions don’t seem to reflect our promise to be better.
There are many conversations about making the world greener and cleaner, yet every year, the world produces a massive 2.12 billion tonnes of waste, as per statistics quoted by United Nations.
The 2018 World Bank report corroborated the numbers which were estimated to be 2.01 billion tonnes, and clearly the number has only gone up since then. If all this waste was put on trucks, they would go around the world 24 times. To estimate, we need at least two more Earths to dispose and absorb all the waste that has been produced so far.
The climate emergency has been a matter of importance since the last couple of years. Scientists have been lamenting over these ‘urgent’ issue since the 1950s. In early 2000s, my school textbooks detailed the imminent crisis, noting that we were in the 11th hour to make any substantial change.
Two decades later, we are still in the midst of ‘talks’ to bring change rather than implementing meaningful action plans; despite witnessing catastrophic consequences of our carbon footprint and the impact it has on our ecosystems. Among the many developing countries impacted by climate change, Pakistan saw the worst floods in history due to global warming, displacing more than 33 million people and suffering losses of 30 billion dollars.
Since these climatic disasters will not be the last and it will not spare anyone of its wrath, a united front is the only way we can bring about a difference. And although all countries agree to this on principle, they do not agree on who is responsible or who should bear the heaviest load.
If we talk about our carbon footprints and how they affect us, things are quite unfair. While people living in developed countries have a bigger carbon footprint, people living in developing states seem to bear the brunt of their actions. For instance, Pakistan contributes less than 1 per cent of the global carbon emissions, meanwhile China and United States lead with the most.
And one of the reasons why China leads with the carbon emissions is because most of the global production happening there, since it is much cheaper than producing it in their own countries. Big industries have played a massive role in environmental pollution and global warming.
Which then brings us to retail. Yes, our shopping behaviours rank high in the public’s contribution to a more sustainable planet. It is all a matter of supply and demand. If there is a higher demand for something, it will lead to more productions, no matter how detrimental it is for the planet.
So, while we talk about the political conviction and ‘collective change’, the onus of responsibility does fall on the way we live our life and the choices that we are making.
By 2025, the world’s cities will produce over three times more waste than in 2009. This massive amount of waste is partly because 99 per cent of the stuff we buy is trashed within 6 months. Moreover, plastic is everywhere - supermarkets, restaurants, our cars, our non-stick frying pans and whatnot. According to National Geographic research, we have a mere 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic stuff to deal with. Of that, more than 6.9 billion tonnes have become waste. And of that waste, a staggering 6.3 billion tonnes never made it to a recycling bin - a figure that has stunned the scientists who crunched the numbers in 2017.
Seeing this as a problem, many small businesses have cropped up with a mission to reduce carbon emissions and provide eco-friendly alternatives to the public. From personal care products to utensils, innovators and investors are now looking to promote locally sourced items rather than mass productions.
However, to facilitate the change, retailers can act as a key link between producers and consumers. The retail sector is a major driver of production and consumption patterns. Retailers have a great influence on producers, suppliers and consumers and therefore can help contribute to the promotion of sustainability issues within various groups of stakeholders.
Even in Pakistan, many sustainable businesses have popped in the past few years dedicated to bringing eco-friendly alternatives to the public. I actively started searching for eco-friendly products back in 2019 and began incorporating small changes in my lifestyle. Being very particular about my personal care and the kinds of products I use, I was unsure of what to expect. Though, my search was fruitful as I switched to shampoo and conditioner bars, which came in a round-tin container, over my big plastic-packaged products. I bought coconut cream instead of lotions for skincare. Not only was I pleasantly surprised by the results, but my findings proved to be budget-friendly as the products lasted me easily for a year. Yes, I do mean an entire year, with frequent uses!
Later, my plastic toothbrushes were replaced by bamboo ones, and my water bottle is now glass. I prefer refilling my bottle rather than buying a plastic one. Moreover, I invested in some metals and glass straws along with a small cutlery set - consisting of a spoon, butter knife and fork - to carry with me. If I am to stop by for some street food, I don’t have to get plastic cutlery or straws.
When I shared of these changes with my friends and colleagues, many of them expressed their interest to try these as well, but their biggest concern was availability and how they could only order things online.
This is the smallest and probably the easiest change one can bring about in their lives because sustainable practices have to begin somewhere.
Same goes for fast fashion. The whole idea of ‘not repeating outfits’ is honestly quite toxic and no one should even have to spare two cents on it. Buy clothes that look good on you and that you intend to wear for a long time. Mix and match the outfits you already have. Upcycle dresses from your mom and sisters, maybe. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about not contributing a load of scraps into our landfills.
And, this is where retailers come in. They can make an effort to bring in more locally-sourced products, which requires less energy to transport, and stock them front and centre. Moreover, while procuring stock, they can favour eco-friendly businesses more - over the big industries with a huge carbon footprint.
Although, the struggle does not end here as Greenwashing has emerged as a new trend. It is a concept when an organisation spends more time and money on marketing itself as environmentally friendly than on actually minimising its environmental impact. It’s a deceitful marketing gimmick intended to mislead consumers who prefer to buy goods and services from environmentally conscious brands.
Similarly, for fashion, look for brands that practice ethical values. And as tempting that new lawn suit may seem, take a look at your spilling wardrobe and really think about if you ‘need’ it.
This may sound like a huge task for many, but there is an entire planet at stake here. We mustn’t forget that all the stuff we own wouldn’t matter, if we won’t have a planet to live on.
Despite our nationalities, class and race, we all inhabit this planet and call it home. Sharing this place together, we count on each other to invest in something more than us, our Earth. So, if the end result is saving this planet, it’s not so much to spare a thought and actively invest in our planet.
The writer is a journalist passionate about the environment and bringing a change amid the climate crisis. She can be reached at adeelaakmal@gmail.com
