Our stance on sustainability and 5 top tips
We want to share some of the ways we are addressing our collective responsibility to take care of the planet. Important to remember, of course, that large corporations, not individual communities (especially in the Global South), hold the largest share of responsibility for environmental degradation and global emissions. That being said, engaging with sustainable practices and habits is more important than ever, and while it is easy to get anxious and overwhelmed by the current challenges we are facing, there are some concrete and accessible ways to get started, or take the next step in your own practice.
Collaborating and Partnering for Sustainability
The core of our commitment to sustainability is choosing who we partner and collaborate with. Supporting clients who are working on issues like climate change, protecting biodiversity, conservation, regenerative practice, and environmental policy is one of the primary ways we can contribute to a more sustainable society, using our skills and experience. We are especially thankful to have the opportunity to support groups and organizations working at the intersection between environmental justice and social justice, because we work from a systems view that has shown how these issues are completely interdependent.
Some of our recent work with organizations like Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda, World Wildlife Foundation and Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops can be viewed here.
✏️ Tip 1: Art and office supplies
One of the simplest actions you can take to reduce waste and make your work or creative practice more environmentally friendly is investing in supplies that can be refilled. Although they may be more expensive when making the initial purchase, they’re worth the investment if you’re able.
For water-based markers, from heavy duty to fine tip, a favourite among graphic recorders and facilitators is the Neuland marker range. Aside from being high quality and cleverly designed, these markers are refillable (inks are sold separately) and nibs can be replaced, allowing you to keep the plastic marker barrel in use and out of the landfill for much longer. Reilly has had hers for over 10 years! As a company, Neuland is committed to being environmentally aware in their business practices and follows a corporate policy of environmental protection when it comes to energy, project planning, and packaging. (Please note: This post is not a paid ad, just a personal recommendation based on experience using the products mentioned.)
Need to write something down? Collect and use scrap paper instead of the computer. By taking notes this way, you’ll also tap into the benefits of writing by hand. Another option is a whiteboard or chalkboard. Whiteboards come in many different sizes, from large ones to hang on your wall to personal boards the size of a sheet of paper, and they last for years. Pilot has created a line of refillable dry erase markers that are made with recycled materials.
You can write by hand (and draw, of course), and take a picture to share with your colleagues and stakeholders. We love the “Scan document” option inside the Dropbox app for mobile devices for this purpose. You can quickly take a picture, clean it up, and upload to Dropbox as a PNG or PDF file to share.
If you use foamcore, try a recyclable, paper-based alternative instead, like Falconboard. Traditional foamcore is not biodegradable and will be on the planet more or less forever.
🔧 Tip 2: Repair rather than replace
Repair culture and the right to repair movement have been gaining momentum, and with good reason! We are often quick to throw things away as soon as they become worn, outdated, or even if a single part is broken. But if something can be fixed, should it really be considered trash? Check out what Marina and Meli, the founders of Club de Reparadores (Repairers’ Club) have to say about responsible consumption and sustainability.
When something has truly reached the end of its life cycle, remember to dispose of it properly so it can be recycled, repurposed, or even resold for parts.
💡 Tip 3: Energy efficiency
For those able to work from home, our commutes have drastically reduced during the pandemic. However, according to Purdue University:
A new study says that despite a record drop in global carbon emissions in 2020, a pandemic-driven shift to remote work and more at-home entertainment still presents significant environmental impact due to how internet data is stored and transferred around the world.
The article also states:
Just one hour of videoconferencing or streaming…emits 150–1,000 grams of carbon dioxide (a gallon of gasoline burned from a car emits about 8,887 grams), requires 2–12 liters of water and demands a land area adding up to about the size of an iPad Mini.
When possible, turn your webcam off during videoconferencing and stream in standard instead of high definition, the authors suggest.
Another simple habit is turning your computers and electronics off when they are not in use, and unplugging completely. A significant amount of energy use is actually from devices that are plugged in, not necessarily even turned on or in use. Buying more energy efficient tech can also help, and if you do plan to upgrade, consider donating your old devices to a non-profit or charity.
🌱 Tip 4: Plants!
Research has shown that plants in an indoor work environment help to boost our happiness and productivity, as well as relieving stress. Embrace biophilic design and add some plants into your workspace — fake ones don’t count, sorry! You can also use this as an opportunity to support local small businesses who are committed to sustainable practices themselves. And further down the line, learn to propagate — it’s free.
⛅️ Bonus tip: go outside
While actively contributing, reading, learning, and working with the skills and experience we have at our disposal to help make a difference are all absolutely vital, it is also true that doing “nothing” can be very sustainable! And important for our wellbeing. In her excellent book How to Do Nothing, Jenny Odell talks about bioregionalism and getting to know the history and ecology of the places where we live, connecting with our own surroundings. No matter where you are in the world, even in big cities, that place has a historical and ecological context of some kind. Mexico City for example:
the world’s fifth-largest metropolis is home to more than 21 million people, [and] it’s also grounds for nearly 4,000 species of flora and fauna, and some 15 percent of its total area consists of national parks and other protected areas.
Chances are there are people and organizations working to make this visible where you live, as well as protecting the ecologies that can be conserved and regenerated from here going forward. We don’t all have the same amount of time, energy and resources available to dedicate to this — and often the least privileged communities are the most seriously impacted by environmental degradation — but our invitation is to contribute in whatever ways we can.
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Written by Sarah Ellis for Pinkfish.ca & edited by Reilly Dow.
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