The 23-year-old University of Auckland student and member of SG Climate Rally believes that anyone can live more sustainably with the right infrastructure. Sustainable living is also entirely possible because we all occupy spaces – workplaces, schools, cities – and we have the power to change them. Here, are her tips:

IDENTIFY THE AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT

“They could be better resource management to reduce waste (such as more efficient usage of resources, reusables over single-use items, and repurposing waste) or obstacles that discourage sustainable habits (for instance, the lack of showers in offices discourages people from cycling to work). Be creative!” 

FIND RESOURCES AND COMMUNITIES THAT TACKLE THESE AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT

“A good starting point is to google “sustainable/environmental [space you’re in]”. The environmental movement has been around for decades and there are many people out there who can help you address specific issues in the space you’re in. For example, there are communities like Fashion Revolution that push for a fairer and more sustainable fashion industry or Creatives for Climate, which equip media practitioners with more eco-conscious tools. You’re not alone so don’t work like you are.”

MOST IMPORTANTLY, FIND JOY IN WHAT YOU DO

“Nothing is more sustainable than knowing you’re making a positive impact on the world. Make sure you take the time to celebrate the actions you’ve taken and appreciate the beauty of living in this wondrous world. What’s the point anyway if you don’t know what you’re fighting for?”

This social enterprise founder has been in this space long enough to dish out a laundry list of tips . Yet, Melissa Lam, who is also a certified facilitator for the 2030 SDGs Game, a card game that educates players on how they can help achieve Sustainable Development Goals, has one short and sweet tip for everyone:

FOLLOW THE 3RS: “REFUSE, REDUCE, RETHINK”

“Refuse: Do I really need it? Reduce: If I do, how much do I need? Rethink: Consider whether this choice is the best one for your lifestyle and situation. On that note, “the most sustainable” choice can be different for every person, as we all have different paths and life situations. In order to truly keep up an eco habit, it also has to be sustainable – reasonable to continue – for you.”

This hip earth advocate is always happy to share her knowledge on how to live slowly and intentionally, to improve one’s relationship with Mother Nature. Just check out her videos on maintaining a zero waste lifestyle at home, and DIY clay mask made from her homegrown aloe plant. Check out some of these tips that the mindful eco-warrior has for us:

CHOOSE MORE PLANT-FORWARD MEALS

“In its Sixth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reiterated that plant-based diets are necessary to help mitigate climate change. It takes 100 times more land to produce one kilo of beef or lamb than a plant-based equivalent protein. It’s also well-known that animal agriculture is the leading cause of rainforest destruction worldwide. Opting for plant-based meals is easier than ever now, with so many more options available in supermarkets and restaurants, as well as apps like abillion to provide recommendations.”

START A FOOD SCRAPS BIN IN YOUR KITCHEN FOR COMPOSTING

“This is a great way to keep your household accountable for all the food waste generated. Starting a food scraps bin made me more conscious of my grocery shopping habits, while also changing the way I cook. Don’t have time or space to compost the scraps at home? Donate them to your nearest community farm! You’d be surprised at how many neighbourhood farms exist around you, and they are always in need of compost to nourish their edible garden plots. If you’re lucky you might also get some free fresh produce from the farm.”

CULTIVATE A ZERO-WASTE CULTURE AT HOME

“I’d like to highlight that this does not mean one should aspire to create absolutely no waste, as this is unattainable. What this means is really just taking a step back and looking at an item to see if it has a second life before it goes into the rubbish bin and to the landfill! Take glass jars, for instance. Instead of tossing out that peanut butter jar, clean and repurpose it to keep your spices instead. Got a delivery package in a large polymailer bag? Don’t toss out the bag and use it as your rubbish bag instead for your small bins. Finished your beauty products? Drop off your beauty empties at the many brands that do beauty packaging recycling. The list is endless.”

The 27-year-old activist is tireless in her mission for a better world, motivated both by nature and wildlife, and the community she’s found in her work. We’re with her totally – there’s so much meaning in being a part of something much bigger than yourself. If this resonates with you, we think her advice will too:

IDENTIFY YOUR AREA OF INTEREST

“As individuals, we should act within our agency, on something we are connected to or care about. There are many pathways to sustainability and environmental action. For some, it could be animal welfare, for others, it could be reducing single-use waste. It’s good to be curious and find an avenue that deeply resonates with you.”

WE HAVE CONTROL OF OUR SUSTAINABLE HABITS

“This includes carrying reusables, not shopping first-hand clothes, consuming more plant-based meals, and more fundamentally, shifting our mindsets about consumerism. We can also speak to our close friends and family about such reductions, and research and offer practical alternatives.”

JOIN THE BIG BOYS

“As individuals we can also join bigger organisations that have a wider reach and audience, to help them improve and expand their impact and sphere of influence. If you care about sustainable fashion, volunteer at Cloop. If you care about animal welfare, volunteer at Acres. If it’s helping Singapore achieve a sustainable food system that drives you, consider Ground-Up Initiative. At The Untamed Paths, we train individuals who are passionate about wildlife and raising awareness on unconventional biodiversity in Singapore to become educators and facilitators.”

When asked for her Earth Day message to her followers, Audrey Yang quips, “My fellow Singaporeans, how’s the weather today?” Singapore’s been crazy hot – and we don’t mean that in the best way. Our sunny island has gotten even sunnier, and more erratic, with climate change. Here’s Yang’s tips on how we can combat that:

BE READY TO MAKE CHANGES

“Identify habits that you are willing to change and choose one to work on for a month. It could be refusing disposable cutlery, reducing the frequency of private hire rides, eating less meat or even just starting to recycle. The goal is to cultivate a new, better habit. Once you get comfortable, work on improving your other habits.”

THINK THROUGH ALL YOUR PURCHASES

“IS this thing you are about to buy really urgent and necessary? It could be anything — clothes, guitar, step-ladder, tennis racket, anything! Can it wait? Can you borrow or rent it? Can it be substituted with something you already have? Can you buy it secondhand? Will it live a long and fruitful life with you? “

USE YOUR VOICE 

“In school, at work, at home, with your friends. Does nobody recycle in your household? Set up a recycling corner at home and share your knowledge with your family. Your school is celebrating their 25th anniversary? Let the committee know if anyone really wants another T-shirt with the school’s logo, or a water bottle, or a pen — or not. Your workplace is catering food for an event? Suggest vegan-friendly menus and request for caterers to exclude disposable serving plates and cutlery if there are reusable ones at the venue. Don’t just leave it to the scientists and environmentalists, you have a stake in shaping the world you want to live in too.”