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Transforming Lifestyles for a Sustainable Future: Shila Wattamwar and Sustainable Me!
In a recent episode of the Brave New Girls podcast, Shila Wattamwar, founder of Sustainable Me!, shared how we can all adopt sustainable lifestyles. Sustainable Me! is a platform designed to help us integrate sustainability into our daily lives, focusing on both environmental and social impacts.
Shila defines sustainability as resetting the world into a state where future generations can thrive. This includes preserving the environment and ensuring social prosperity. Sustainable Me! aims to engage us everyday people by providing information within contexts that are familiar to us, like clothing, food, and household items. By meeting us where we are, the platform demystifies sustainability and makes it accessible.
Shila's background in sustainable investing and advising real estate owners on decarbonizing their portfolios inspired her to start Sustainable Me!. She recognized the importance of engaging consumers in addition to investors and companies. Through her platform, Shila hopes to drive behavioural change and make sustainability a natural choice for future generations.
Sustainable Me! includes a variety of resources to help people make sustainable choices. Shila involves her son in a podcast segment where he simplifies sustainability topics for a younger audience. Additionally, she has a book coming out with 52 facts and actions related to sustainability, providing simple steps that individuals can incorporate into their daily lives.
Shila emphasizes the importance of starting small and focusing on areas that matter to each individual. For instance, reducing meat consumption, even partially, can significantly decrease one's ecological footprint. Shila also compares sustainability to healthcare, highlighting that small, consistent actions can lead to significant long-term benefits.
The platform encourages people to take personal responsibility and recognize their power in driving demand for sustainable products and services. By making conscious choices, individuals can influence companies to adopt more sustainable practices, creating a multiplier effect.
From Shila's perspective, political will in the US lags behind Europe in prioritizing sustainability. However, she remains hopeful as more people and companies recognize the value of sustainable practices. Shila advocates for a balanced approach, encouraging us to make incremental changes rather than aiming for overwhelming transformations.
Ten Actionable Steps to Live More Sustainably:
Reduce Meat Consumption: Incorporate one to three vegan meals per week to lower your ecological footprint.
Support Local Farms: Buy fresh produce from local farmers to boost the local economy and reduce shipping emissions.
Recycle and Upcycle: Repurpose old clothes and other items instead of discarding them.
Use Public Transport: Opt for public transportation, cycling, or walking instead of driving.
Conserve Water: Implement water-saving measures at home, such as fixing leaks and using water-efficient appliances.
Reduce Energy Use: Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use to save energy.
Choose Sustainable Products: Purchase items made from sustainable materials and support eco-friendly brands.
Minimize Waste: Practice composting and avoid single-use plastics to reduce landfill waste.
Advocate for Change: Support policies and initiatives that promote sustainability in your community.
Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about sustainability issues and share knowledge with friends and family.
Discover how Shila Wattamwar's platform, Sustainable Me! helps individuals transform their lifestyles to live more sustainably.
PS. Listen HERE to SHILA’s journey on BRAVE NEW GIRLS podcast to hear how she helps us help the planet.