Most people ask themselves the question: “How do I want to live?” But isn’t it also necessary to ask: “If I live like this, what are the consequences for other people and the environment?”
The above statement is taken from the “Learning for Sustainable Living in Seychelles” manual, published 22 years ago by Nature Seychelles and the Ministry of Education and Youth.
The manual, meant as a cross-curricular book developed for learners, was written with input from several local experts and covered a wide range of areas where sustainability should be at the core of activities. It provided materials and activities to help integrate sustainable living into the school curriculum and encouraged parents and professionals to adopt these practices in their lives. Teachers and parents were urged to use current news, magazines, and videos to enhance discussions and add variety.
“I was more convinced, more than ever, that we needed a new paradigm shift for living on small islands,” said Dr Nirmal Jivan Shah, the Chief Executive in the foreword at the time. “The concept of sustainable living goes beyond development. It captures what any of us would identify as fundamental to having secure, productive, and fulfilling lives, for ourselves and our children,” he continued.
More than two decades later, this manual is still instructive. While our archipelago may be small, our steps toward sustainable living must continue to be far-reaching and echo loudly. There’s no denying that our lifestyle choices impact human well-being and environmental health, as well as the economy.
But here is the good news, living sustainably is possible. It starts with the little things we do every day like switching off lights, keeping our environment clean, and reducing waste. Here are some areas to consider.
Reducing waste
We all use items to make life easier, but this creates waste that harms the environment. By cutting back on consumption and repurposing materials, we can reduce waste in landfills and prevent litter on our beaches and in the ocean. The 5Rs of Zero Waste – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle – are vital for lowering our environmental impact. It’s also important to dispose of waste properly in designated areas.
Growing or choosing locally grown and produced food
We all need to eat. In Seychelles, we grow some crops and import others. By choosing locally grown fruits, vegetables, and fish, we can reduce imports, minimize packaging, and support our vibrant culture and strong communities.
Greening our homes and businesses
Making simple changes at home and in businesses can help us save water and energy. This includes using natural light, turning off lights and electronics when they are not in use, and switching off fans and air conditioners when they are not needed. We can also conserve water, use organic and non-polluting products, avoid harmful chemicals, compost kitchen scraps, collect rainwater, and switch to renewables among other practices.
Living with and around nature
On these islands, the boundary between our lives and nature is beautifully blurred. Living in harmony with nature involves safeguarding biodiversity, allowing wildlife to thrive, supporting conservation efforts, and being in tune with the environment around us.