OK, I get it. Sustainability is about the long-term well-being of the planet, people, and other forms of life. It’s about meeting our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It’s the bumper stickers that say, “Think Globally, Act Locally.”

But what does that really mean for me? I can’t keep up with my friends and family, much less the ever-growing demands to be the best possible citizen, taxpayer, consumer, neighbour, and person. I’m all for sustainability, but I need help to understand what I should do and, perhaps, how I should do it. What are the top three things I can do in my life that make a difference?

People do genuinely relate to the notion of sustainability and almost always support the values of ecological, economic, and social health. But awareness and agreement don’t ensure action, and the difficult task of helping every person understand the important ways they contribute—either to the problem or the solution—remains at the epicentre of sustainability.

Start with cities. Cities consume three quarters of the world’s energy and cause the same proportion of global pollution. Any effort to create sustainable cities must be about its people, as a community and as individuals. Individual actions must reinforce policies and programs governments establish in support of sustainability; otherwise, we are defeating ourselves.

With that in mind, I suggest the following three things any individual can do in their life that would make a difference.

1. Support local businesses for daily goods and services
2. Reduce your energy consumption, particularly by driving less and saving energy at home
3. Connect to people in your community—neighbours, friends, co-workers, and family

If sustainability is about people using resources wisely and having a healthy relationship with our planet (and ecosystem), then these actions are fundamentally important. All of these actions reduce our negative impact. More than that, though, they provide the critical linkages to ensure we meet our needs and allow others to meet theirs.

When we buy a New Zealand apple, we not only use a tremendous amount of energy just to get it here, we undermine the economic strength of our own agricultural economy. A dollar spent on local food provides at least twice the economic impact as the same dollar spent on food shipped in from overseas. When a local farmer sells within the region, that farmer can keep more of each dollar for profit. A local food system is essential to a healthy rural economy, which, in turn, is vital to a healthy society. We are more connected to our sources of food and, thus, better understand the needs of those who produce it. Some of our finest chefs understand this and forge close relationships with farmers who provide what they need, often paying premiums to ensure those relationships last (See Visionary John Bishop [1]).

Using less energy saves money for everyone and, of course, it is a key piece of what needs to happen to slow or mitigate climate change. But it does more than that. If we choose to walk or bike, we get exercise and have many opportunities to bump into people on the sidewalk or street, establishing relationships that help us feel safe and secure. Studies show that communities that keep car traffic in check have much higher levels of interpersonal relationships within their neighbourhoods, and as a result, they are safer. If we can commute without a car, we have the opportunity to eliminate the need for owning a car, which is the equivalent of a several thousand dollar raise, on average. These savings add up, when we are trying to balance our cheque books, buy a home, or save for tuition.

Smart moves for the environment are smart economically and socially. But it’s the connection aspect that is key. When we are connected to each other, we better understand the effects of our choices. We tend to think more about the future, in our actions. We also can begin to see that, while our individual acts may seem small, the impacts of collective action are the one thing we need most of all.

Thomas Osdoba is manager of the City of Vancouver’s Sustainability Program. Visit http://www.onedayvancouver.ca/
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