Sustainability at Home

 Sustainability at Home

Ever since I can remember, my family has always taken some practice in sustainability at home. For decades, there has been an ongoing issue with sustainability globally. Sustainability has become such an environmentally prominent issue that the United Nations General Assembly formed an organization called the SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals), which is a group of 17 interlinked global goals. 

    For years, my family has invested in purchasing chickens. I never expected chickens to be such a key factor in providing sustainability. Agricultural businesses where they tend chickens to lay eggs are nonetheless, a nightmare. With cages stacked full of chickens, row upon row, sustainability is not present. These farms are considered concentrated animal-feeding operations, and according to the U.S EPA, they contribute to being a significant source of water pollution. However, my family only ever has a handful of chickens, giving them plenty of room in their pen. Along with traditional feed (pellets), we give them tons of actual food. In our house we have a small compost bin which is completely dedicated to chicken feed. After every meal, we throw our scraps into the bin, usually consisting of vegetables, fruits, sandwich scraps, etc. I cannot remember the last time I put food into the garbage. With this clean diet, our chickens provide us the freshest, best eggs.

    Another way my family lives sustainably is we never purchase cases of water bottles. We used to, but it was clear that the amount of plastic bottles used did not provide enough water and the use of non-reusable water bottles needed in such large quantities is bad for the environment, even when recycled. Rather, my parents bought a water dispenser where we place a single nine liter bottle of water. After the water is completely emptied, we bring them back to a store where they can send them to its manufacturer and they can become reused. This reduces plastic waste substantially, and along with that, it keeps our water very cold at all times. 

    The final thing my family does which is deemed sustainable was implementing geothermal energy for our house. Geothermal energy’s source provide an unlimited amount of heat as it is generated by the Earth’s core. The energy is extracted without burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas, or oil. It is a renewable energy source, and leaves a very low carbon footprint. In addition, you have access to it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

    In conclusion, I believe my family does a great job at being environmentally sustainable. It is very important that the world becomes more sustainable so the Earth can remain producing clean air, and keep it healthy.