Minimalism and Environmentalism

As global consumption has increased over time, the stress on our planet’s natural resources has also dramatically increased. From fashion to household goods, people are often encouraged to buy more as opposed to being asked to buy less. As demand for products has risen, industry has responded with the excessive production of goods. This excessive production is a problem. In response to the excesses of consumerism, many people have turned to minimalism as a way of reducing their individual impact on the environment.

Minimalism emphasizes exclusively buying the products that you need rather than buying excessive, unnecessary products. It promotes an attitude of disregarding the things that consumerism tells you are attractive. It is also one of the best lifestyles for environmentalists. The minimalist lifestyle supports environmentalism in terms of reduced production, consumption, and disposal. 

Here are some benefits of minimalism in relation to environmentalism.

Minimalism Conserves Natural Resources

Lots of natural resources, including water and land, go into the production of consumer products. When you opt for minimal purchasing then you signal to industry that they do not need to produce as much of a product. That indirectly reduces the pressure on our shared natural resources. 

An example of minimalism leading to a reduction in the harvesting of natural resources can be found in the fashion industry. According to Forbes, the apparel industry is responsible for about 10 percent of overall carbon emissions around the world. As per an estimate of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), to grow and manufacture cotton used in the production of one t-shirt requires 2700 liters of water. So, in terms of clothing, you can save a huge amount of resources and minimize harmful emissions by reducing your purchase of new clothing.

Minimalism Reduces Carbon Emissions

Excessive buying leads to unnecessary waste, which – in turn – is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. Further, the shipment of consumer products is one primary cause of fuel consumption. 

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about 29 percent of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. That means that the practice of minimalism can reduce your carbon footprint in terms of reducing the transportation of excess food, excess clothing, and extraneous traveling.

Minimalism Minimizes Pollution

In addition to reducing emissions, the minimalist approach also helps save ecosystems and species. For example, minimizing the consumption of single-use products such as plastic bags, straws and cups can significantly decrease the need for production as well as the amount of waste generated through these products. Plastic waste causes environmental degradation and poses an alarming threat to marine ecosystems when it enters the oceans. According to WWF, each year almost 100,000 marine animals die because of plastic pollution.

Minimalism Saves Money and Time

Only buying products that are sustainable and opting for used and reusable products allows you to save money and time. Sustainable products are made from natural materials and are either reusable or renewable. When you buy such products, you do not have to replace or restock them repeatedly. Moreover, buying used items is not only sustainable but also economical. In this way, you can also become a part of the system that promotes a circular economy and minimizes the adverse impacts of consumerism on the environment.

Minimalism is Good for Your Mental Health

Some people experience an anxiety associated with owning too many things. That anxiety may take the form of not knowing how to get rid of the items, not knowing what to do with them, or not knowing how to find them. Sometimes, simply being surrounded by unnecessary can take a toll on your mental health. By contrast, many minimalists enjoy a feeling of space and an absence of unnecessary objects.

Practicing minimalism is good for you and is good for the environment. A few simple practices that you can adopt to incorporate minimalism in your lives include:

• Only buy what you need
• Repurpose the items 
• Return the used/worn out items to the manufacturer for recycling
• Donate your items to needy people to support their living
• Keep your consumption simple and sustainable