Treading lighter on the world
- Ingrid Lotze
- Sep 2, 2022
- 3 min read
7 t-shirts each is only a couple of months into our nomadic/work/lifestyle and we’re attempting to tread lighter on the world and help others to learn how to do so too.
We understand the need for humans to make a living AND we know we all need to start giving back in one small way or another. As part of our efforts, we’re not supporting places that exploit animals for financial gain.
On a previous visit to Thailand nearly two decades ago, we rode on the backs of elephants and had a wonderful time doing it too. We’ve since learnt about the cruel methods that are often used to tame these beautiful creatures and many others. In the reel that we made for Instagram, a baby elephant’s front legs were chained together and then chained by a 2m long chain to a pole. The obvious cruelty is that this treatment restricts the movement of animals that roam as part of their very make-up. Perhaps less obvious is the mental effect that this has on an elephant because, believe it or not, elephants can also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
We do our best to only support businesses that have as their primary goal the rehabilitation or saving of animals. A few of these types of businesses were highlighted in the documentary The Last Tourist (recommended viewing). It can be a tough choice to make when @ingridlotze wants to see the tigers that are just around the corner from here. But if everyone takes a stand, things will change.
Making small choices collectively has a big impact. The way you get to work, what you eat, how long you shower, and where you spend your money can all have an impact on the community you are in and on our global environment, particularly when done en masse. This is an example of "The Tragedy of the Commons" concept: It is estimated that the global population will reach 8 billion by the middle of November 2022, and we all share finite resources. If each of us feels that our individual resource consumption cannot possibly have an impact on the earth, the combined effect of our reckless consumption becomes huge!
The truth is that there is plenty each of us can do every day to slow and eventually stop our profligate use of precious resources. Many of our environmentally friendly decisions eventually become easy habits where we don’t experience ongoing stress or inconvenience. It will just come naturally to live a life that is environmentally conscious. A great example is when Cape Town in South Africa had three consecutive years of dry winters in 2015 – 2017 and Level 4 water restrictions were imposed. The restriction on water consumption meant that many people showered in a bucket and reused that water for other purposes. Others learnt to turn their shower off while soaping themselves and on to rinse off. 5 years later the 7 t-shirts team still practices this method because it works, water is saved and it’s really no big deal.
By supporting local food businesses as opposed to buying from big international outlets, the 7 t-shirts each team is spending money with the people who should most benefit from our travels.
It takes some thought and a little care to make your way lightly in the world and contribute what you can in the way of sustainable living. Just by simply no longer purchasing plastic water bottles and only making this one small change in your life, you can tread lighter on our planet too.
#savetheenvironment #stopclimatechange #makeadifference #youcancontribute #environment #savetheearth
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