Consumption Patterns

The primary hurdle for households in achieving sustainable habits lies in their consumption patterns. These behaviors are on the rise, with households consuming more goods at a quicker pace. For instance, families now own more vehicles, waste more food, and buy more clothing and electronics than ever before. This increase also elevates indirect energy use and carbon emissions.

To foster more sustainable consumption in relation to transportation, households could:

• Opt for cycling over driving
• Utilize public transport
• Share rides to work
• Participate in car-sharing programs

For food consumption, households can:

• Prepare meals to avoid leftovers
• Ensure containers are fully emptied
• Repurpose leftovers creatively, like using orange peels for candy or stale bread for croutons

In terms of clothing, households might consider:

• Purchasing less apparel
• Choosing second-hand options
• Selecting clothes made from recycled materials
• Creating new items from fabric scraps
• Investing in durable clothing
• Opting for sustainable materials, such as hemp

When it comes to electronics, households can:

• Buy second-hand devices
• Donate or sell old gadgets
• Utilize devices for multiple purposes
• Share technology with others
• Recycle outdated electronics

Income Level

Another barrier to sustainable living is the household income level. Particularly, wealthier households tend to consume more diversely, influencing their carbon and material footprints. However, spending less doesn’t necessarily equate to a smaller footprint; what is purchased matters as well. For instance, a new pair of jeans has a larger impact than two second-hand pairs. Still, higher income levels can facilitate sustainable choices, especially when eco-friendly products are more expensive.

For households with a higher income, sustainable actions might include:

• Installing solar panels for renewable energy
• Choosing sustainable product alternatives
• Donating unused items
• Planting trees on expansive properties
• Supporting environmental initiatives
• Minimizing luxury purchases
• Investing in eco-conscious companies
• Funding climate research

Conversely, households with a lower income can:

• Save money through eco-friendly living
• Engage in second-hand buying or selling
• Reduce overall consumption
• Use car-sharing services
• Repair rather than replace items
• Repurpose materials, like turning a cardboard box into storage

Knowledge of Sustainability

A significant obstacle for households is the lack of understanding surrounding sustainability. This knowledge gap can perpetuate unsustainable habits. For example, many households rely on memory to assess energy consumption rather than actual data.

Furthermore, misconceptions about recycling can lead to continued unsustainable practices. For instance, many believe that all their plastic waste is recycled, but in reality, only a small percentage is repurposed effectively.

Even with awareness of the implications of our actions, this doesn’t guarantee a shift towards sustainable living. Competing needs and desires can hinder progress, such as the inconvenience of accessing zero-waste stores.

To improve sustainable practices without existing knowledge, households could:

• Consult knowledgeable friends or family for advice
• Analyze energy usage over time
• Explore eco-friendly living ideas from various resources
• Read books focused on sustainable choices

On the other hand, households with knowledge can:

• Implement policy initiatives into actionable plans at home
• Share sustainability insights with others
• Lead by example to inspire peers
• Consistently apply sustainable habits in daily life

Management of Urban Resources

Poor management of urban resources represents another challenge for households pursuing sustainable behavior. This includes the absence of regulations to control energy consumption, often resulting in no financial motivation to conserve energy when prices are low.

For example, in 2022, Qatar had an energy price of $0.032 per kWh, while the U.S. and Germany had much higher rates. As a result, energy use in Qatar was significantly higher than in these other countries.

To encourage sustainable behavior, even without effective management, households can:

• Reduce energy use for environmental reasons
• Set personal energy consumption goals
• Properly insulate homes
• Generate renewable energy through solar panels
• Advocate for financial incentives for sustainable actions

Technology Use

The final challenge households face in adopting sustainable habits is related to technology. While technology can enhance convenience, it also tends to increase energy consumption as multiple devices are often used simultaneously.

To maintain sustainable practices while using technology, households can:

• Turn off devices when not in use
• Avoid standby mode and fully shut off electronics
• Listen to radio instead of television
• Utilize technology to monitor and reduce energy use
• Leverage technology for sustainability feedback

Conclusion

Households face various challenges in their quest for a more sustainable lifestyle, including issues related to consumption habits, income levels, knowledge of sustainability, urban resource management, and technology utilization.

Credit

This article is based on:

Shittu, O. (2020). Emerging sustainability concerns and policy implications of urban household consumption: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 246, 119034.

Documentary about recycling (German)