Since COP28, the annual United Nations Climate Summit, recently occurred in Dubai, the press and media have highlighted the steps countries have taken towards a more sustainable and environmentally equitable society for all. Nations like Germany, France, and Italy have voluntarily agreed to “[transition] away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner” according to Yahoo Finance, and dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars towards climate change. Yet, as expressed by the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, “More is required. We need enhanced transparency, and to deliver our promise to fund climate action across the world.” Only an engaged and driven society is capable of achieving a communal change of this magnitude. Thus, to reach long-term sustainability goals, parallel to the efforts of governments, individuals must proactively make efforts towards a sustainable lifestyle. 

Realistically, individual efforts and sustainable habits may seem tedious, futile, and even fruitless but the truth is that sustainability starts at home and individual actions can create a real change. According to the Office for National Statistics, data collected from the UK Environmental Accounts shows that households are responsible for the largest proportion of greenhouse gas emissions and the biggest share of energy use, surpassing even the manufacturing and transporting industries. Daily chores such as the consumption of clothing, electronics, and plastics all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, there are many researched ways through which homes can reduce their carbon footprint. 

On a large scale, renewable electricity is becoming a real possibility as technological innovation has rapidly improved prospects in the last decade. According to Johanna Neumann from Environment America, in 2019, the median new residential solar panel was 37% more efficient than the one installed in 2010 and the cost of solar utility fell 90% from 2009 to 2020. Recently, government policies, especially in New Jersey, have shown significant support for renewable energy. The Successor Solar Incentive Program (SUSI), as described by Geraldine Orentas from Forbes, provides energy credits for every megawatt-hour a solar system generates. Solar panels have become more feasible for households as their usage has been incentivised. That being said, it is still crucial that all social and economic divisions of society take proactive steps toward sustainability laterally. Small changes—with limited financial burdens—such as upgrading to a more energy-efficient boiler and installing adequate insulation in roofs can greatly improve the Energy Performance Certificate of a home. In fact, according to the National Insulation Association (NIA) uninsulated walls can allow a third of the energy produced by your heating and cooling system to be lost compared to insulated walls.  

Notably, change isn’t confined to the energy sector. Seemingly menial food and kitchen waste such as egg shells, avocado peels, orange rinds, and even plastic bags for baby carrots can produce significant waste. While new technologies are still developing, the Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter has overtaken the market by turning food waste into compost in hours. Instead of sitting in a landfill and releasing methane, according to the U.S. Composting Council, the Lomi composter improves soil’s ability to hold much-needed nutrients and deliver them to plants. Even though Lomi is moderately expensive, composting itself is an easy and inexpensive habit that rejuvenates soil health that can be accomplished without Lomi as well. In fact, composting has been used as early as ancient Mesopotamia, when records were kept by scrawling on a clay tablet. Regrettably, in the light of lab-grown pesticides and fertilizers, society has gravely undermined the importance of quick and low-cost sustainable practices like composting.

Additionally, ancient techniques and engineering can inspire sustainable change today. Instead of using air conditioning, in moderate weather, passive cooling systems that use natural ventilation and shade should be employed. Natural ventilation through large windows, skylights, roof vents, and even cross-ventilation were common only a couple decades ago. Another current issue is an overwhelming amount of stormwater flowing to municipal facilities. Ancient rainwater harvesting systems such as rain barrels, an underground cistern system, and even rain gardens can reduce runoff (Nearby Engineers, 2024). Thus, taking a few proactive measures can greatly reduce the carbon footprint of a home, ensuring a cleaner environment for all. 

Though financial incentivization, government support, and corporate promises are prime motivations to pursue a sustainable lifestyle, creating seemingly minute changes in the lifestyles for a healthy future will bring about needed change. Promises of government will only bear fruit if each individual of society takes interest in sowing the seeds of sustainable change outside their own home.