The We Speak for Trees Project | Mindful Consumerism & Sustainable Living

In collaboration with the International Youth Organisation Help Them See, we conducted the 'We Speak for the Trees Project', an event aimed at educating participants on the adverse effects of needless consumerism and the importance of leading sustainable lives. The event included a screening of Dr. Suess' The Lorax (1972), a survey and the dissemination of an infographic. At the conclusion of our project, we were astonished to see the great response we received. We had 15+ participants from 9 different countries. and received a lot of support and engagement from people and organisations worldwide. Our survey entailed excellent answers, demonstrating the achievement of our goal of increasing awareness and educating people to be mindful consumers.

To educate our participants on how to live more sustainable lives, we gave out an interesting infographic regarding simple ways one can make a difference by adopting an ecologically conscious lifestyle. The points covered in the infographic were the following: 

1. Save Electricity: Save electricity by shutting off lights and devices when not in use, minimising the need for heating and cooling by insulating your home, and lighting. Additionally, think about powering your property with alternative energy sources like solar or wind turbines.

2. Conserve Water: You can preserve water by repairing tap leaks, installing water-saving fixtures like low-flow faucets, and using water wisely by taking shorter showers and watering plants properly. Another ecological practice is gathering rainwater for outdoor usage.

3. Sustainable Transportation: The largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions is transportation. Hence, choose sustainable modes of transportation like cycling, walking, or taking the bus while travelling short distances. Cycling and walking are not only better for the environment but also good for your health and fitness. If you require an automobile, opt for an electric or fuel-efficient model. Reducing the number of journeys by combining errands and carpooling when travelling to school or office. 

4. Food Choices: The food system has a large impact on the environment. Encourage your community's organic and sustainable farmers and food providers. To limit the carbon footprint associated with transportation, choose seasonal and locally grown produce. Consider cutting back on your meat intake or switching to a plant-based or vegan diet as well, as animal husbandry has a significant negative influence on the environment. Not only is a plant-based diet better for the environment but also great for your health as it is known to support healthy living by cutting down rates of type 2 diabetes and heart attacks. 

5. Practicing Mindful Consumption: Consider your purchases carefully and consciously and choose products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Think about a product's entire lifecycle, from production through disposal. Instead of frequently purchasing new stuff, choose durable goods that can be fixed. This goes easy on your pocket as well as it saves you from spending extra money on fixing and replacements.

6. Composting: Composting is a natural way of converting food waste into decomposers of soil. It is beneficial for soil health and is a must-use for plant owners. Composting is great for the planet, humans and animals. It is said to reduce methane from landfills, help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and promote higher and better crop yield. You can compost at home using fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, nuts, egg shells, and other food items that you were otherwise to throw away. 

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in our project. We were able to achieve our goal because of everyone who registered. We are immensely grateful for the support and encouragement we received. It was a pleasure to develop and execute this event and we can not wait to host the next one!