Hey earth muffins! Without a doubt, we all know it is important to protect Mother Earth. She is amazing and blesses us with our wonderful home. That is why it is important for all of us to do our part to reduce our impact on the planet; every small step helps in the long run! 😊 But, there are obviously circumstances that either help or hurt living in an eco-friendly way. Yes, I’m talking about sustainable privilege! In today’s post, I will be discussing the importance of privilege to zero waste lifestyles.
What Factors Can Limit Eco-Friendly Living?
1. Money
For starters, money is a huge privilege when it comes to sustainability. It is no surprise that some sustainable products are more expensive than cheaper alternatives. I mention this fact in most of my eco-friendly product reviews! People with more money are able to purchase these “green”, sustainably labeled products without question. On the flip side, it can be hard for those with lower incomes to justify making those purchases. While I personally think you can save money in the long term by reducing your consumption and investing in sustainable things, it is definitely easier to live in an eco-friendly manner when you aren’t restricted by a budget. The same applies to those wanting to make more eco-friendly financial investments instead of products, such as looking into a solar investment company as opposed to investing in nonsustainable options. There is a privilege to being “sustainable” versus making do with what you have due to your income and class restrictions.
2. Time
Time is also a privilege when it comes to sustainable living. Some people just simply don’t have the time to cook meals every day or start a compost system in their backyard. Many of us earth muffins choose to spend our time doing small things that reduce our impact; while some people might want to do this, they might not be able to due to work, taking care of children, etc. It is definitely a privilege to have time in your day to help out Mother Earth!
3. Location
Another huge privilege for some people is location. It is no secret that some cities (and countries) are more sustainable than others. Depending on where you live, you might be limited by things such as where you can shop. As I’ve mentioned in my what to do when you don’t have access to bulk post, I recently moved to a town that has very limited sustainable shopping options… But, I’m still lucky that I have some! It is a privilege to live in an area that has eco-friendly options available, as many people are limited by their location.
4. Race & gender
Alongside location, I think it is important to bring up the sustainable privilege of race and gender as well. It seems like the face of the sustainability movement is often depicted as a white woman, which doesn’t make the movement very inclusive. There is no denying that women are more likely to be more eco-friendly than men, but saving the planet is an issue for everyone! Race and gender norms bring about their own privileges as well, including things like opportunities which can impact the other areas I have discussed above.
So, Is There Sustainable Privilege?
Without a doubt, certain circumstances make it easier to living in a sustainable manner. There is an inherent privilege to being able to be eco-friendly – so appreciate that you are able to be an earth muffin! The sustainability movement has a long way to go in terms of being inclusive to all, which makes it difficult for certain people to jump on the bandwagon to save Mother Earth. Whether you have privileges in money, time, location, race, and/or gender, it is important to realize that others around you might not be as sustainable as you are because they aren’t as privileged. What are your thoughts about sustainable privilege? Comment below and let me know how privilege affects you!
Love,
Jenna ♥
This is such an interesting topic and it is very true. There is a certain level of privilege that may allow someone to do more than another. I suppose all that matters, is that we each try a little bit more whenever possible and within our means!