2021 Sustainability Resolutions

This rainy day in late December seems like the perfect ending of the most impossible year along with the perfect welcoming of a transformative beginning. This year is hopefully full of listening, relearning, and awareness of what a sustainable society can actually look like.

If you are someone that is excited about making New Years resolutions, then consider adding sustainable resolutions to your list.

There is more to sustainability than just the environmental aspects. In order for a business, city, person or system to truly be sustainable, then we must consider things like education, poverty, medical assistance and removal of inequalities. Take a look at the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and see how interconnected each goal is to one another.

When we start shifting our attention globally, it is natural to be overcome with feeling overwhelmed, maybe paralyzed, depressed and hopeless. But integrating small choices and changes in your life will inspire those around you to continue the chain of change. Start small and you will begin to see the echos of your activism trickle onward.

Ideas for 2021 Sustainable Resolutions

#1 End your Amazon Membership 

I know this can feel scary. It is so nice to have every option available at your finger tips - especially when living in New York City where everything feels like a hustle. But this company is not only putting small businesses out and the damaging the environment through its major carbon footprint, but Jeff Bezos is also turning an insane profit ($24 billion…) during COVID-19 and is still choosing to under pay employees and refuse to release transparency reports. Here is a TIME article that explains the ins and outs of Amazon during COVID-19 better then I ever could.

Shop local instead

• Books

• Furniture

• Home Goods

• Make-Up

• Clothing

Take time to do your research and ask questions about the products you are buying

Is this…

• made from child labor

• animal tested

• good for the environment

• company doing anti-racism work

• supporting gender equality

• company an LGBTQIA+ ally

BETHANY ROBERTSON, @LOVELESS_DESIGNS

#2 Read Read Read

Learn about anti-racism, climate change, mutual aid, self-care, indigenous history, art and education. Purchase books written by and support bookstores owned by BIPOC.

#3 Revamp your Food Shopping 

Support your local, small business grocery store, farm, CSA, and farmers market. Preferably somewhere that also has a composting component. If the only thing close to you is a large grocery store then try to purchase food that is from suppliers within a 200 mile radius.

Right now I am part of a program called Groundcycle in Brooklyn, NY. They exchange your compost for locally produced food. They are an incredible company and there is probably something like Groundcycle in your area.

Here is the article about eco-friendly grocery shopping.

#4 Ask for Transparency from your Workplace

This year has opened my eyes to a lot of mistakes I’ve made and areas I can improve upon. This year has also opened my eyes to how I am a part of several broken systems, organizations and businesses. Go on your company’s or organization’s website and see if there is a transparency report. Depending on the tier size of your company, the report may be called something else like Global Social Impact Report. Here is an example of Starbucks’ Global Social Impact Report.

If there is no report to be found, ask your company about this.

Things to look for transparency on:

Carbon Footprint

Ethically Sourced Materials

Partners

Community Involvement

Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity

#5 Switch Banks 

According to The Guardian, these hot shot banks are major supporters of funding fossil fuel developments: Citibank, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and Wells-Fargo

Green America is a great resource to find an ethical bank and also get you set up for green retirement funds. If you are a freelance artist like I am, I definitely recommend setting up a retirement fund today.

#6 Volunteer

Take action for the causes you care about. With all the jobs and cutbacks that have happened, one of the best ways to help organizations you care about stay afloat is by donating your time. Research organizations, bills, causes you are passionate about, because there is definitely a way for you to volunteer with them. Even once a month is incredibly helpful.

What are some other sustainable resolutions you are interested in?