For as long as I could remember, I’ve been devoting my life to doing what is best for the earth. It has been my mission to advocate for a sustainable future and make choices based on that objective. In 2013, I started being more conscious of how I consume clothes and learning more about ethical fashion. In 2018, I transitioned from my usual, modern lifestyle to a low-impact, aspiring zero-waste one. Swapping plastics out for reusable items while munching on plant-based products, I repeatedly pat myself in the back for my efforts. And everyone else seems to do the same thing.
It wasn’t until recently that I realised that what I’m doing so far is only the bare minimum, that I’ve been so wrong about sustainability and there are still so much I don’t know about such issues. More and more I am made aware of new knowledge that are just recently surfacing, or really never came to my attention before. And—you know what?—I think most of us are on the same boat. Generally, we’ve all got this whole sustainability thing wrong and today I’d like to bust some of these myths so you, too, will learn more about it and know what you need to do for the earth.
For as long as I could remember, I’ve been devoting my life to doing what is best for the earth. It has been my mission to advocate for a sustainable future and make choices based on that objective. In 2013, I started being more conscious of how I consume clothes and learning more about ethical fashion. In 2018, I transitioned from my usual, modern lifestyle to a low-impact, aspiring zero-waste one. Swapping plastics out for reusable items while munching on plant-based products, I repeatedly pat myself in the back for my efforts. And everyone else seems to do the same thing.
It wasn’t until recently that I realised that what I’m doing so far is only the bare minimum, that I’ve been so wrong about sustainability and there are still so much I don’t know about such issues. More and more I am made aware of new knowledge that are just recently surfacing, or really never came to my attention before. And—you know what?—I think most of us are on the same boat. Generally, we’ve all got this whole sustainability thing wrong and today I’d like to bust some of these myths so you, too, will learn more about it and know what you need to do for the earth.
1. “Sustainable means good for the environment.”
FACT: While sustainability is concerned with what is good for the earth, it is only part of the story. When brands talk about sustainability, they generally claim to adhere to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These goals, meanwhile, refer to the definition set by the Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development—also known as the Brundtland Report—published in 1987.
According to the report, sustainability encompasses environmental and social dimensions because they are inextricably linked.¹ That means any product or practice cannot claim to be sustainable if they are not contributing to ending poverty for everyone involved in the process. Being good for the earth is not enough, it must also result in social impact and ensure welfare to all parties involved.
1. “Sustainable means good for the environment.”
FACT: While sustainability is concerned with what is good for the earth, it is only part of the story. When brands talk about sustainability, they generally claim to adhere to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These goals, meanwhile, refer to the definition set by the Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development—also known as the Brundtland Report—published in 1987.
According to the report, sustainability encompasses environmental and social dimensions because they are inextricably linked.¹ That means any product or practice cannot claim to be sustainable if they are not contributing to ending poverty for everyone involved in the process. Being good for the earth is not enough, it must also result in social impact and ensure welfare to all parties involved.
2. “Plastics are the root problem of climate change.”
Fact: Since we’ve been using the term ‘climate change’ to refer to all environmental issues, I can see the confusion—but no, climate change is only one of the problems and, no, plastic isn’t the root cause. In 2012, a UK economist and sustainable development expert Kate Raworth introduced the environmental “ceiling” in her concept of “doughnut economics,” whereby social and ecological factors are equally respected. This environmental “ceiling” consists of 9 planetary boundaries—if we cross all nine of them, we are basically fucked, because the planet will become uninhabitable.
Those nine boundaries are climate change, freshwater use, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, ocean acidification, chemical pollution, atmospheric pollution, ozone depletion, biodiversity loss, and land use change. Plastic on its own actually poses no great risk, but depending on its treatment, it could contribute in accelerating 6-7 of these issues. The root problem of climate change—and, ultimately, most of these issues—actually is the rising level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, which could come from burning fossil fuels, including in producing and recycling plastics.² In short, when we cut down on our plastic consumption, we’re actually doing very little for the planet.
2. “Plastics are the root problem of climate change.”
Fact: Since we’ve been using the term ‘climate change’ to refer to all environmental issues, I can see the confusion—but no, climate change is only one of the problems and, no, plastic isn’t the root cause. In 2012, a UK economist and sustainable development expert Kate Raworth introduced the environmental “ceiling” in her concept of “doughnut economics,” whereby social and ecological factors are equally respected. This environmental “ceiling” consists of 9 planetary boundaries—if we cross all nine of them, we are basically fucked, because the planet will become uninhabitable.
Those nine boundaries are climate change, freshwater use, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, ocean acidification, chemical pollution, atmospheric pollution, ozone depletion, biodiversity loss, and land use change. Plastic on its own actually poses no great risk, but depending on its treatment, it could contribute in accelerating 6-7 of these issues. The root problem of climate change—and, ultimately, most of these issues—actually is the rising level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, which could come from burning fossil fuels, including in producing and recycling plastics.² In short, when we cut down on our plastic consumption, we’re actually doing very little for the planet.
3. “All carbon is bad and toxic.”
FACT: Carbon is the basis of all life on earth, including yours and mine. So, in short, carbon isn’t actually bad and toxic. The way I see it, carbon is not unlike water. Water isn’t inherently bad—in fact, it is often very helpful for us as it keeps us hydrated and clean—but, in the wrong places and in abundance, it could be deadly. Water in your lungs, for example, or a tsunami…well, good riddance. The same goes for carbon.
So when is carbon good and when is it bad? Ideally, carbon should stay in our soil and should not dominate our atmosphere. How can we keep carbon in the soil? Simple, we plant things on it. Plants, using sunlight as energy, pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and turns it into nutrients that we eat. This is an important cycle to keep the carbon balance of the earth. However, when we cut down trees, all that carbon gets released back to the atmosphere and becomes GHG emission.³ That’s when it becomes a threat.
3. “All carbon is bad and toxic.”
FACT: Carbon is the basis of all life on earth, including yours and mine. So, in short, carbon isn’t actually bad and toxic. The way I see it, carbon is not unlike water. Water isn’t inherently bad—in fact, it is often very helpful for us as it keeps us hydrated and clean—but, in the wrong places and in abundance, it could be deadly. Water in your lungs, for example, or a tsunami…well, good riddance. The same goes for carbon.
So when is carbon good and when is it bad? Ideally, carbon should stay in our soil and should not dominate our atmosphere. How can we keep carbon in the soil? Simple, we plant things on it. Plants, using sunlight as energy, pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and turns it into nutrients that we eat. This is an important cycle to keep the carbon balance of the earth. However, when we cut down trees, all that carbon gets released back to the atmosphere and becomes GHG emission.³ That’s when it becomes a threat.
However, it is not only the question of what we plant in the soil, but also how we do so. There are numerous ways to draw down excessive amount of carbon from the atmosphere. These methods are known as carbon farming. They are ultimately regenerative agriculture rooted in Indigenous relationship with tending and cultivating land. According to Fibershed,
“Carbon is not the only benefit we see from these production practices: farmers and ranchers are ameliorating the climate crisis while providing habitat for migratory birds, restoring streams and watershed health, reducing the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, growing more species of plants for a biodiverse ecosystem, and increasing the water-holding capacity of soil.”⁴
However, it is not only the question of what we plant in the soil, but also how we do so. There are numerous ways to draw down excessive amount of carbon from the atmosphere. These methods are known as carbon farming. They are ultimately regenerative agriculture rooted in Indigenous relationship with tending and cultivating land. According to Fibershed,
“Carbon is not the only benefit we see from these production practices: farmers and ranchers are ameliorating the climate crisis while providing habitat for migratory birds, restoring streams and watershed health, reducing the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, growing more species of plants for a biodiverse ecosystem, and increasing the water-holding capacity of soil.”⁴
4. "Animal-based products are always evil."
FACT: These days livestocks really can’t catch a break, can they? Especially cows. They are named as the one animal with the biggest carbon footprint—what with their methane gases, as well as massive land and water usage. It seems that going vegan is the only way to go. But is it?
Here are the facts: animal agriculture is part of a huge ecosystem. We cannot think of them as an isolated variable separate from crop agriculture—they also serve plant growth. For instance, grazing animals can help carbon sequestration, nutrient storage, and biological activity in the soil as well as reduce needs for synthetic inputs.⁵ In fact, there are such things as climate beneficial fibers—that involve both plants and animals.
Animal cruelty may still be an issue, but—again—it isn’t so much what you are farming, but more how you go about it. Traditionally, wool harvesting, for instance, isn’t bad—shearing sheep is actually even critical to their health.⁶
FACT: These days livestocks really can’t catch a break, can they? Especially cows. They are named as the one animal with the biggest carbon footprint—what with their methane gases, as well as massive land and water usage. It seems that going vegan is the only way to go. But is it?
Here are the facts: animal agriculture is part of a huge ecosystem. We cannot think of them as an isolated variable separate from crop agriculture—they also serve plant growth. For instance, grazing animals can help carbon sequestration, nutrient storage, and biological activity in the soil as well as reduce needs for synthetic inputs.⁵ In fact, there are such things as climate beneficial fibers—that involve both plants and animals.
Animal cruelty may still be an issue, but—again—it isn’t so much what you are farming, but more how you go about it. Traditionally, wool harvesting, for instance, isn’t bad—shearing sheep is actually even critical to their health.⁶
Ultimately, whatever we take from the environment—be it plants, animals or minerals—can go wrong. There are numerous crop agriculture that has been linked to water shortages in poor regions of the world, such as avocado, rice and wheat. Not to mention the chemical substances used in industrial agriculture, such as pesticides and fertilisers. And don’t get me started on tilling and its effects on the soil quality of today—one-third of global soil has been stripped off its carbon-rich topsoil that provides nutrients for the plants that we grow⁷. They are now more drenched in chemicals than organic substances—which ultimately affects our bodily health too.
5. “Individuals are responsible for climate change.”
FACT: To a degree, yes, but for the most part, no. What does that mean? It means that we, as individuals, can affect change by making changes to the way we live. However, ultimately, big industries—especially fossil fuel industries—play the most major role in creating impacts on the environment, whether good or bad. We can swap our plastic items for reusable options or our cars for emission-free bicycles as much as we want, but if these industries don’t stop burning fossil fuels, our efforts alone will be impossible to stop the climate crisis. To top it off, they’ve known about the damage their business brings to the earth for decades—yet they turn a blind eye from it and we individuals suffer the consequences.⁸
That being said, it doesn’t mean that our efforts are pointless. The change in our lifestyle does make a difference—but it’s very minuscule and still depends on what the government and industries provide for us—which is why we need systemic change. And to do that, we need to use our voice. We need to assemble together and demand better from big establishments and people in power. We need the ones who matter to choose people over profits⁹. So, no, we as individuals are not responsible for climate change, but we have the power to do something about it..
Ultimately, whatever we take from the environment—be it plants, animals or minerals—can go wrong. There are numerous crop agriculture that has been linked to water shortages in poor regions of the world, such as avocado, rice and wheat. Not to mention the chemical substances used in industrial agriculture, such as pesticides and fertilisers. And don’t get me started on tilling and its effects on the soil quality of today—one-third of global soil has been stripped off its carbon-rich topsoil that provides nutrients for the plants that we grow⁷. They are now more drenched in chemicals than organic substances—which ultimately affects our bodily health too.
5. “Individuals are responsible for climate change.”
FACT: To a degree, yes, but for the most part, no. What does that mean? It means that we, as individuals, can affect change by making changes to the way we live. However, ultimately, big industries—especially fossil fuel industries—play the most major role in creating impacts on the environment, whether good or bad. We can swap our plastic items for reusable options or our cars for emission-free bicycles as much as we want, but if these industries don’t stop burning fossil fuels, our efforts alone will be impossible to stop the climate crisis. To top it off, they’ve known about the damage their business brings to the earth for decades—yet they turn a blind eye from it and we individuals suffer the consequences.⁸
That being said, it doesn’t mean that our efforts are pointless. The change in our lifestyle does make a difference—but it’s very minuscule and still depends on what the government and industries provide for us—which is why we need systemic change. And to do that, we need to use our voice. We need to assemble together and demand better from big establishments and people in power. We need the ones who matter to choose people over profits⁹. So, no, we as individuals are not responsible for climate change, but we have the power to do something about it..
6. “Climate change is caused by and will affect everyone equally.”
FACT: Nope! We’ve already discussed how the biggest cause of environmental issues is corporations and major industries, but as individuals, we also do not contribute to climate change in quite the same way. A family of 5 in India does not have the same carbon footprint as a single person living in a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, for instance. Research has shown that countries in the Northern hemisphere are the biggest producers of GHG emissions, yet—unfairly—it is the people in the South who are most vulnerable to climate change.¹⁰
Unsurprisingly, the global South is where most of the world’s poor live. Climate change is really just another way of seeing how the rich exploits the poor. That being said, nature doesn’t see arbitrary things, like social status and material wealth—so the effects will hit all of us eventually, although sooner and harder for some.
6. “Climate change is caused by and will affect everyone equally.”
FACT: Nope! We’ve already discussed how the biggest cause of environmental issues is corporations and major industries, but as individuals, we also do not contribute to climate change in quite the same way. A family of 5 in India does not have the same carbon footprint as a single person living in a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, for instance. Research has shown that countries in the Northern hemisphere are the biggest producers of GHG emissions, yet—unfairly—it is the people in the South who are most vulnerable to climate change.¹⁰
Unsurprisingly, the global South is where most of the world’s poor live. Climate change is really just another way of seeing how the rich exploits the poor. That being said, nature doesn’t see arbitrary things, like social status and material wealth—so the effects will hit all of us eventually, although sooner and harder for some.
Where Do We Go from Here?
If we’re being totally honest, there are still a lot more to the environment story—mostly written in scientific data that I’m not qualified to go over. But now that we know the basic information, it’ll be easier to go even deeper into this topic. Why should we care about the environment though? Well, simply put: humans are part of nature. For centuries, we’ve forged the belief that we are separate from the rest of the planet, when—really—we are also biological creatures. That means whatever happens to the planet will affect our existence as well. In fact, probably even more so than other species—animals and plants are known to evolve today still to adapt with the changing climate, but humans are more complex in that regard.
Here are a few resources I would recommend you check out to learn more about the deep water we’re in environmentally—both figuratively and, to a degree, literally:
A good introductory book on all things to do with the planet. It covers a lot of the key points and fundamental knowledge on this topic, including the population boom, the rise of consumption, the shift of superpowers, the Paris accord and, ultimately, the UN SDGs. Equipped with the most attractive and easily digestible infographics, this book breaks down complex information into little pieces that anyone can understand—even a complete newbie.
If books aren’t really your thing, this 5-part documentary will be a great introductory piece for you. Each episode lasts for less than 10 minutes, but packed with crucial information on climate change. Equipped with eye-catching graphics, beautifully-written narration and Jack Harries‘s familiar voice—2010s YouTube aficionado would probably know—this series tackles numerous topics, including climate solution, climate justice and what you can do to affect positive change.
If you think cattle farming is bad, well, you’ve got to watch this jaw-dropping documentary. Exploring the underbelly of industrial fishing, Ali Tabrizi goes on to expose the fishing industry for the twisted and blood-stained world that it is. It will change the way that you see the food that you eat—particularly seafood—and the organisations that you trust with their “sustainable” certifications. However, I disagree with the conclusion he arrived at, so do watch it with a grain of salt.
WARNING: Please read this book only after you’ve consumed all the aforementioned materials—proceed at your own risk. Welcome to the living nightmare that is the current situation of our planet! Wallace-Wells paints an incredibly terrifying picture of what is going on right now and what will happen in the future, should nothing change. He does it so eloquently, backed with multiple scientific data and without mercy. It is the worst horror story I’ve ever read—and it’s entirely real!
Spoiler alert: the solution to climate change lies in the soil. Narrated by the iconic Woody Harrelson, this documentary explores the various ways we can cultivate our soils and use land in the best possible way to slow down—and possibly even reverse—the effects of climate change. It’s not only about what we are farming—crops or animals—but also how we do it that can make a difference. It covers a lot of topics, from the history of industrial farming to regenerative (cattle) farming.
Okay, so that’s it from me for now. If you have any more resources and/or facts around this topic, please share them in the comment down below!
Where Do We Go from Here?
If we’re being totally honest, there are still a lot more to the environment story—mostly written in scientific data that I’m not qualified to go over. But now that we know the basic information, it’ll be easier to go even deeper into this topic. Why should we care about the environment though? Well, simply put: humans are part of nature. For centuries, we’ve forged the belief that we are separate from the rest of the planet, when—really—we are also biological creatures. That means whatever happens to the planet will affect our existence as well. In fact, probably even more so than other species—animals and plants are known to evolve today still to adapt with the changing climate, but humans are more complex in that regard.
Here are a few resources I would recommend you check out to learn more about the deep water we’re in environmentally—both figuratively and, to a degree, literally:
A good introductory book on all things to do with the planet. It covers a lot of the key points and fundamental knowledge on this topic, including the population boom, the rise of consumption, the shift of superpowers, the Paris accord and, ultimately, the UN SDGs. Equipped with the most attractive and easily digestible infographics, this book breaks down complex information into little pieces that anyone can understand—even a complete newbie.
If books aren’t really your thing, this 5-part documentary will be a great introductory piece for you. Each episode lasts for less than 10 minutes, but packed with crucial information on climate change. Equipped with eye-catching graphics, beautifully-written narration and Jack Harries‘s familiar voice—2010s YouTube aficionado would probably know—this series tackles numerous topics, including climate solution, climate justice and what you can do to affect positive change.
If you think cattle farming is bad, well, you’ve got to watch this jaw-dropping documentary. Exploring the underbelly of industrial fishing, Ali Tabrizi goes on to expose the fishing industry for the twisted and blood-stained world that it is. It will change the way that you see the food that you eat—particularly seafood—and the organisations that you trust with their “sustainable” certifications. However, I disagree with the conclusion he arrived at, so do watch it with a grain of salt.
WARNING: Please read this book only after you’ve consumed all the aforementioned materials—proceed at your own risk. Welcome to the living nightmare that is the current situation of our planet! Wallace-Wells paints an incredibly terrifying picture of what is going on right now and what will happen in the future, should nothing change. He does it so eloquently, backed with multiple scientific data and without mercy. It is the worst horror story I’ve ever read—and it’s entirely real!
Spoiler alert: the solution to climate change lies in the soil. Narrated by the iconic Woody Harrelson, this documentary explores the various ways we can cultivate our soils and use land in the best possible way to slow down—and possibly even reverse—the effects of climate change. It’s not only about what we are farming—crops or animals—but also how we do it that can make a difference. It covers a lot of topics, from the history of industrial farming to regenerative (cattle) farming.
Okay, so that’s it from me for now. If you have any more resources and/or facts around this topic, please share them in the comment down below!