Sustainability is becoming a greater concern in 2026 as we witness rising temperatures and the increasing amount of plastic in our oceans. There has been some progress in maintaining ecological conditions, yet a common driver of sustainability is our individual effort, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Despite the growing interest in participating in these “going green” efforts, adapting our daily lives can be hard.
Why prioritize?
Pursuing sustainability helps create and maintain conditions in which humans and nature can coexist, thereby supporting present and future generations. It’s the ability to meet our needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
It is a way to protect our planet from pollution, litter, and chemicals while reducing our individual footprint. Others find that environmental factors are not the only ones at play. According to Penn State University, sustainability also establishes an approach to human health, the economy, and happiness. These include issues related to poverty, gender equality, and well-being.
The current warming of Earth is occurring at a rate not seen before, with a major influence coming from human activity, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It also presents evidence supporting rapid climate change: rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, rising sea levels and shrinking ice sheets.
These rapid patterns on Earth can not only affect the present generation but also the future. Climate change causes extreme weather, which affects crops, spreads diseases, and contributes to declining mental health.
What’s stopping us?
The “go green” lifestyle seems more like a headache than something worthwhile, despite the state of our planet being a concern to many. There are many external factors that can push us away from maintaining sustainability, making it seem impossible for us to do better for ourselves and the Earth.
The size of the matter can lead to fear or distress about the choices we make, according to the Michigan Daily. It is an example of a collective action problem, in which individuals believe their role in a large matter will not make a difference toward the greater issue. Many may feel discouraged from personally prioritizing sustainability if they don’t think their independent work will have much impact.
Another reason that might deter many from maintaining sustainability is the cost. Eco-friendly beauty products, clothing, and other consumer products have been trending recently. However, the manufacturing cost is higher than that of cheaper materials, resulting in those expenses being passed along to consumers. Sustainable products are 75% to 85% more expensive than conventional ones, according to a Kearny study. Even if consumers want to shop for “green” products, many cannot afford them or choose not to buy them.
Even using eco-friendly technologies like solar panels and electric cars is an inconvenience rather than a long-term investment for many.
Living a sustainable lifestyle is also difficult because it requires individuals to go against the conflicting values of the society in which we have lived for decades. This can mean checking food labels for certain ingredients we never thought twice about, taking the bus or walking instead of cars and slowing down our consumption of the latest clothes and products on the market. Our day-to-day life amplifies our carbon footprint, yet it’s not easy to leave what we know behind.
Any practical options?
Care for your clothes
Global consumption of fashion items has grown 400%, according to Fashion United. Much of the material used to support the rapid manufacturing of these clothes relies on fossil fuels, accounting for about 10% of annual global carbon emissions. The average person buys 60% more clothing than in 2000 and discards more as a result. These include the brands H&M, SHEIN, Zara, and other well-known brands growing in popularity.
Become more aware of what you buy, rather than loosely buying whatever is trending. You can do this by establishing a personal style to minimize your viewing options. You can also look in your closet and note only which items to purchase next based on what no longer fits or is damaged beyond repair. Take care of the clothes you purchase: repair ripped clothing, use non-abrasive detergents, and be creative when combining garments.
It’s easier said than done to purchase good-quality clothes when they’re marked up. Avoid overconsuming fast-fashion brands when not necessary, such as buying “hauls” of items too often.
“Project pan” challenge
“Project Pan” is a popular beauty trend in which individuals commit to using up their existing makeup, skincare, and other products before purchasing new ones. This is an effective way to decrease spending while also practicing sustainability for those who have multiple of the same product.
Recycle
Recycling trash is still considered an effective way for an average person to promote sustainability. It helps reduce the need to extract resources for new products, reduces gas emissions, and conserves energy. It also diverts waste away from landfills, according to the EPA.
You can recycle paper, metals, glass, plastic, electronics, and even specialty items like motor oil.
Conserve water and electricity
Taking shorter showers, fixing leaky faucets, and turning off lights and electronics when not in use are also simple ways for ordinary people to contribute to sustainability in local communities. Doing so can save thousands of liters of water per household and reduce the need for costly repairs.
Heating water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning requires a lot of energy. When reservoir water levels drop, environmental risks are at stake, according to the EPA. One risk includes human health.
