(5) What Does Sustainability Mean to GenZ?

Waking up to coffee, running for classes, challenging limits and committed to uncompromised enjoyment, how much does the GenZ think of sustainability?

Surveys show that 75% of Gen Z are increasingly eco-conscious in comparison to the previous generations. Students have been the face of increasing protests against climate change and advocating sustainability to spread awareness among the public. But, what does sustainability mean to a college student? “I believe sustainability is when the value of something I use today lasts for longer, maybe forever”, says Deekshitha, an undergraduate student in Bangalore. When asked how she practices sustainability being aware of the need for it, she said she makes craft out of the coconut shells left after usage. Another undergraduate student, Don Baggio said, “I thrift my clothes, which I think is an efficient way to reduce the demand for new clothes and reusing by choice”.

“I try to follow the 5 Rs- Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle. I reuse bottles.”, says another student. “Something that doesn't harm the environment but not at the cost I cannot afford, is sustainable for me”, said another student of Economics. Nivya Thomas, a journalism student says, “Reducing and reusing have been the fundamental principles I have learnt to make sustainable choices. Segregating waste, using public transport, thinking twice before buying new clothes, are the conscious choices I make to ensure sustainability. But I know there are more to make and I am committed to learning them.”

Is there more to sustainability?

Sustainability revolves around the core principle of ensuring the resources we enjoy today are passed onto future generations. The fundamental requirement for this is the need to preserve the biodiversity that enables us to survive. The impact of our actions on the environment has become a complicated web that needs to be realized. There is a need to make conscious choices that would be sustainable.

The journey towards sustainability which the Gen Z has been vocally supporting, doesn't stop with protests demanding the system and governments across the world to change their practices. Every conscious sustainable choice made by the Gen Z counts as they are exposed to information and resources better than any generation before them. To be crisp, we can do better. We have to do better.

Studies show that 60% of our clothing material contains plastic. From smooth lingerie to shiny jackets, a diverse variety of plastic fabrics are used like polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc. Production of polyester has exponentially increased by 900% between 1980 and 2014. Polyesters beat the natural fibers by their cheap cost. Meat and Dairy production is rising by 500%. Monocultures across the world are reducing the balanced variety of food. Food waste is emitting GreenHouse Gases more than the US & China put together.

There is a need for the Gen Z students to look deeper into their choices and put conscious efforts to live sustainably. From their coffee cup, to their water usage for showers, to the clothes they prefer, to the choice between walking and bikes or bikes and buses, to the pens they use and the food they order, they need to think about the impact each of their choices would have on the Earth. The only way to become sustainable is to become informed, educated and conscious decision makers everyday.