Just Watched David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, Let's Talk Being Sustainable!

Pandaboss on 14/11/2020 - 01:58
Last edited 17/11/2020 - 02:44

David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

Trailer

I have just watched this on Netflix and I have to say that it was worth the watch. It really puts it into perspective on how the world has changed and how we contributed to it, the effects and consequences of our advances.

In such, it has got me thinking on how I can be sustainable and help. I want to know what you are currently or planning to do to also achieve sustainability, no matter how small the action or goal, it is worth speaking about as I do believe that we are going to F' this planet up sooner rather than later.

Things that I will consider to help in the long run;

  • Solar Panels
  • Hybrids or full electric car
  • Growing vegetable garden, produce own at home

Yes I know that the effects of manufacturing can outweigh the benefits, but it will help pave the way for the future and as we advance in technology I believe this could be overcome.

All we require is…

wisdom.

Entertainment

Comments

    • MIKEPICKARD on 16/11/2020 - 12:41

      Perhaps not having that kid would have been the most sustainable and green thing you could have done?
      The carbon footprint of people (over a lifetime) is MASSIVE and will far outweigh any reusing your shopping bags etc. etc.

      • netjock on 16/11/2020 - 16:36
        +1

        Perhaps not having that kid would have been the most sustainable and green thing you could have done?

        Then we need to import someone else's kid as skilled migrant. More CO2 generated with transportation etc.

      • foxpants on 16/11/2020 - 23:22
        +1

        It's too late for me, but what a good idea! Lead by example.

      • Bren20 on 17/11/2020 - 12:30
        +1

        And all of a sudden we're a step away from the 'kill yourself' argument

  • DeeTrance on 16/11/2020 - 11:36
    +4

    A few years ago I had a moment of realisation as I ordered some breakfast at McDonald's - the utter waste from my meal horrified me.

    • Paper pocket for a hash brown
    • Foam box for hotcakes
    • Plastic cutlery that was wrapped in plastics
    • Plastic straws
    • Plastic cup lids

    After finished my meal, the rubbish/waste left on the table made me feel disgusted with myself. I stopped eating at McDonald's out of convenience.

    I once tried Bubble tea that was served in a thick plastic cup with a plastic lid and the huge plastic straw. As I was waiting for my order, I noticed the council bins nearby were littered and overfilled with plastic cups, lids and straws from Bubble Tea. That made me feel sick in the stomach, I am quite disgusted with the industry. I have never ordered one of these since.

    I no longer use plastic shopping bags. Have 60L plastic tub that I keep in the car where I unload my grocery trolleys into.

    I empty the water from the shower into a bucket (while waiting for hot water) and use it for the gardens.

    I call out bad behavior when I see it such as littering and people flicking Cigarette butts.

    More importantly, I pick the the rubbish and bin when I see them, whenever possible (you know, instead of ignoring it because i didn't put it there)

    • BuyoTheCat on 16/11/2020 - 22:00

      and plastic balls in the bubble tea

      • DeeTrance on 16/11/2020 - 22:13

        That's true. Bubble tea is disgusting for the planet and for your body.

  • bonerofalonelyheart on 16/11/2020 - 12:51
    +1

    Plants have learned the concept of sustainability and the humans have to learn it too. A Life on Our Plants - is a good place to start with sustainability.

  • 91rs on 16/11/2020 - 13:21

    Stop having kids, it's the worst thing (one of) that you can do if you want to save anything.
    Let people die out and leave this place to the animals.

    • payless69 on 16/11/2020 - 17:16
      +1

      Yes vote left and support Politicians who support post birth abortion and assisted suicide without barriers!

  • junet on 16/11/2020 - 15:57
    +3

    A few things I've tried
    - Changed search engine to Ecosia to plant trees/privacy
    - Reduce utlitlies consumption - turn off appliances at the switch, replace old showerhead with water efficient one, use less gas heating, change bulbs to LED
    - Reduce shopping consumption - buy less clothes/repair old ones, avoid plastic wrapped fruit/vege, use the library for DVDs, video games, books, etc
    - Drive less/walk or bike to places. Work from home.
    - Tried composting but it attracted mice/rats so i stopped
    - Separate soft plastics and put them in the redcycle bins at woolies/coles
    - Recycle old clothes at H&M instead of putting them in the bin - https://hmgroup.com/sustainability/circular-and-climate-posi…
    - Recycle any e-waste (old phones, anything with a cord) at council events instead of putting them in the bin
    - Consume less meat, more vege/fruit, etc.
    - Plant native trees in the garden

    • payless69 on 16/11/2020 - 17:17

      Thanks for the search engine tip much areciated.

  • BuyoTheCat on 16/11/2020 - 16:18
    +2

    eat less, use less, buy less.

  • kanmen on 16/11/2020 - 16:21
    +2

    My personal favourite initiative right now is Prince Charles and his expensive and unattainable sustainable fashion line. A family that has members who don't wear the same thing twice, preaching to normal people about sustainable and environmentally friendly clothing. HAHA

    That said, I'm loving the options I'm seeing above. I have been wanting to recycle soft plastics a lot more so will try recycle at Coles!

    There are also some really good eco-friendly small businesses that sell eco-friendly products that aren't wish.com lol

    • cloudy on 17/11/2020 - 22:07

      A family that has members who don't wear the same thing twice

      thats so stupid, things only become more comfortable with each use. If i had the choice of wearing my shoes 500 times over or 500 brand new pairs of shoes I know which i'd choose.

      • kanmen on 18/11/2020 - 15:38

        It's a big deal when they're seen wearing the same thing twice, especially the women. Kate Middleton was probably the first to start recycling outfits ie. wearing outfits again and it would be newsworthy lol

  • CheeryCheapskate on 16/11/2020 - 16:28
    +1

    A lot comes down to money. Many companies appear to reduce waste but their products costs more than buying items with the waste.

    Also there's an old but nice documentary that I love to watch on this topic:
    War On Waste (Free to view on ABC iView)

  • hdus002 on 16/11/2020 - 16:35
    +2

    Four big things that we have direct influence over that we can do to improve sustainability:
    1. Don't have kids (or have less) if you are living in a developed hight per-capita emissions country
    2. Go vegan / eat less meat
    3. Don't do (or reduce) vacations that involve air travel
    4. Don't buy a car, use only public transport

    Yes, quite hard to do those.
    However, the impact from those are way higher that many "token" steps like using recycled plastic/clothes using EVs etc.

    ps: I don't follow any of those either (except the kids part - but not by choice), I eat meat, my main hobby is private flying, and I love driving :)

    • netjock on 16/11/2020 - 16:43
      +2
      1. Don't have kids (or have less) if you are living in a developed hight per-capita emissions country

      Problem is we import other people's kids as adults in the name of skilled migration causing more emissions transporting them over here. As noted fertility rates in OECD countries are below replacement rate. Therefore education and lifting incomes in developing countries would be better.

      1. Go vegan / eat less meat

      This is actually easy. It is just the meat and vitamin industry have programmed people into believing they are short on nutrition, if that is the case why 2/3 population is overweight and the hospitals are not filled with malnourished locals I don't know.

      1. Don't do (or reduce) vacations that involve air travel

      Only the 1% who take business / first class contribute the most. If you take them out most all economy class long haul travel is financially non sustainable therefore increase in cost will reduce travel.

      PS. I don't blame you. A lot of people just talk a good game and expect everyone else to do the hard work.

      • hdus002 on 16/11/2020 - 17:03
        +1

        "Problem is we import other people's kids as adults in the name of skilled migration causing more emissions transporting them over here. As noted fertility rates in OECD countries are below replacement rate. Therefore education and lifting incomes in developing countries would be better."

        Wouldn't a below replacement rate lead to an aging population if migration were stopped? Am no expert on this, but that doesn't sound sustainable from an economic point of view? And from a purely economics standpoint, isn't importing a job-ready adult more productive/efficient than growing one from scratch?

        • payless69 on 16/11/2020 - 17:20

          Perfect, my wife has read it and is now making white hats.

        • ihbh on 17/11/2020 - 08:53

          Wouldn't a below replacement rate lead to an aging population if migration were stopped? Am no expert on this, but that doesn't sound sustainable from an economic point of view?

          The world is aging overall; so not sustainable for the world from an econ point of view?

          The world population will stabilise this century and then decline.

  • cucumber on 16/11/2020 - 20:41
    +1

    Only browse OzBargains once a day max. Use alerts if you're looking out for a specific deal.

  • love2buy on 16/11/2020 - 21:32
    +3

    Borrow or share things that you don't need often. Utilise things to their capacity. Repurpose only if it makes sense. Learn to fix things instead of throwing them out. Buy seconds where possible. Go with the flow, not against.

  • ganymede on 16/11/2020 - 22:50

    Has anyone wonder how solar panels and batteries in electric cars were made and what happen to these at end of life?

    • abuch47 on 17/11/2020 - 23:25

      Yes they are repurposed somewhat.

  • Ragzs on 16/11/2020 - 23:09
    +2

    Tips for eating out.

    1.Take a water bottle with you when you go out.
    2.Bringing your own food container and utensils when you get take away food.
    3.If you forget those things try and eat somewhere you can sit down that has glasses, plates, metal knives and fork ect.
    4.Choosing items with less meat and other animal products where you can. (is a great way to shift your diet gradually, get ideas and don't have to think about how to cook a vegan meal).

    • ihbh on 17/11/2020 - 08:48
      +1

      ' 5. Take a doggy box with you (if people aren't used to 2.) to bring leftovers home to eat for another meal. Or if untouched, can give to a homeless person.

  • catbug on 16/11/2020 - 23:20

    I eat vegan 90% of the time, when I’m travelling or out I’m not too strict as I know not every place can accomodate but this hasn’t been too much of an issue. I never have dairy because of the environmental impacts and over time I’ve come to strongly dislike the taste.

    I’m moving interstate and very excited to give up my car! Will be 20 minute walking distance to work, when I need a car I can use a car share or car next door.

    I shop at bulk grocers because they’re so much cheaper and I love being able to buy the quantity I need.

    I drop off my soft plastic waste at the red bins in woolies/coles. I compost - look up how bad food waste is in Australia 🤢 buy what you’ll actually eat, don’t buy things just to throw in the bin. 20% of all groceries goes in the bin without being touched. So wasteful of resources, packaging AND FOOD.

  • SelfMade on 16/11/2020 - 23:35
    +1

    Remove the fat orange blimp from office and into jail where he belongs. That fool is leading a growing number of fools into thinking that there is nothing wrong with plundering our Earth.

  • mlburnian on 17/11/2020 - 07:16
    -2

    Sir David is like the 90 year old version of Greta

  • vroomkroom on 17/11/2020 - 07:44
    +1

    Doing
    * No plastic bags for shopping and use produce bags for veg/fruits/herbs
    * Minimalist styling ( few black/white tShirts + few pair of jeans + shorts + essentials make up my wardrobe )
    * Was riding to work and now WFH

    Wanting to do
    * Buy an eBike as the primary mode of personal transport and sign up for the share car program for the occasional need
    * Grow herbs, veg at home, and set up compost at home
    * Solar Panels
    * Stop or reduce eating meat

    My elder one is trained to think about sustainability in everything she does like no helium balloons, new toys, etc… Wish I had the time and space to grow herbs, veg at home. Family is a bit hesitant to go car-free but when the kids grow a bit older we will give it a try.

    • abuch47 on 17/11/2020 - 23:27

      Just get a normal bike, recyclable materials and no wasteful lithium.

  • Placebo on 17/11/2020 - 09:28
    +2

    I have a significant sustainability bent. My partner doesn't, but he comes along for the ride. My focus for about the last 7 years has been aiming for zero waste. We are still a a long way off that target, but that has been the focus.

    While people are correct that we need big business to get on board to create real change, I think we all have a responsibility to do what we can and the quote below really resonates with me:

    "We don't need a handful of people doing zero-waste perfectly. What we need is millions of people doing zero-waste imperfectly".

    That quote has allowed me to be kind to myself when I do create waste and to remember the goal. My focus has been very much of reducing the use of single use plastic and have gone a long way to doing that.

    In addition to that:
    - we won't be having children
    - I am a vegetarian so we eat almost entirely vegetarian food when at home
    - I have an electric bike that I use to do small shopping runs
    - We have two worm farms and have found a friendly neighbour with chickens who takes any scraps our worm farms can't handle

    I think it's important that we all do what we can.

  • bryce007 on 17/11/2020 - 10:34

    I think most of us on here are guilty contributing to the piles of waste buying cheap junk from China.
    It goes back to buying things that last vs lowest price. The world has changed, everything is consumable now.
    Buy the cheap $500 65" TV, only expecting it to last 2 years… buy the latest car get rid of it before warranty expires.
    Buy tablets and phones with so little ram they are unusable…
    How many of us have went in for something cheap from China and regretted it once it arrives because it doesnt function properly?
    It makes me feel sorry for the earth that people are wasting resources on such rubbish products.

    Not everyone can afford the latest high end gear.. so I adopt the following strategies:
    Buy second hand - go for high end gear of last generation and repair as necessary instead of disposing. Obviously repairs have to be economically viable - why I try and DIY as much as possible.
    Eg:
    $300 for a 65" Plasma THX final gen Plasma TV ($10k in 2013). Picture quality 90% of OLED. Power consumption is higher, but I only use it for 2hrs a day max.
    $15k for a used BMW at the end of depreciation curve. Craps all over a $25k new car and save dollars for replacement parts. Depreciation is the killer for new cars.
    Purchase second hand 1 year old Iphone/Pixel instead of new Xiaomi phone for same price. Better performance, more parts available if something goes wrong and service centers available.
    Etc.

    • netjock on 17/11/2020 - 15:09

      $300 for a 65" Plasma THX final gen Plasma TV ($10k in 2013). Picture quality 90% of OLED. Power consumption is higher, but I only use it for 2hrs a day max.

      You need to buy solar panels and only run the TV between 12 - 2pm every day mate.

    • abuch47 on 17/11/2020 - 23:30

      Dont buy a euro ever lmao.

      buy 2nd hand australian, japanese, korean and run into the ground. 1 million kilometers or more with a rebuild or two.

  • pogichinoy on 17/11/2020 - 12:20

    Growing your own produce, particularly, aquaponics and permaculture.

    • ihbh on 17/11/2020 - 17:55

      Would be great to hear your experience.

  • acersaurus on 17/11/2020 - 14:40
    -1

    I don't do all that much, though climate change is a big concern for me. Some of the things I do:

    *Solar power

    *Reduced meat consumption - replace meat with alternatives like Tofu, Nutmeat, Quorm.

    *Small car

    But I still fly in planes, which has a huge impact.

    Personally I think geo engineering solutions are needed to get us out of this mess, in addition to near zero carbon globally by 2060.

    • netjock on 17/11/2020 - 15:13
      -1

      Personally I think geo engineering solutions are needed to get us out of this mess

      It will help but won't solve the problem. It is like growing trees. The earth had much more trees at start of the century. The problem is all the carbon that was in the ground we are putting into the atmosphere. It is like if you have coal under your house and extracting it and piling it up above ground, there just isn't enough space for it. Then trying to grow trees to absorb it.

      Same reason why they are looking at carbon capture and pumping it back into the places under the ground where it came from.

      All hope isn't lost. Problem is there is the ones acting on it and there is a lot of YOLO people who are trying to consumer as much as they can before it all runs out.

      • acersaurus on 17/11/2020 - 20:16
        -1

        I know geoengineering would merely help, however I doubt the vast majority of the world would accept it anyway.

        Agree that it is far from hopeless - merely extremely dicey.

        The most positive thing is the rate of technological change, for instance wind power becoming cheapest for power generation, electric cars, better batteries, meat made in the lab that is getting cheaper to make.

    • freemoneyhunter on 17/11/2020 - 22:25
      -3

      You are a victim of brainwashing, co2 is not a pollutant, increased levels of co2 is a net benefit for all the life on earth. Without humans releasing co2, life would soon die on the Earth. The last thing we should be doing is reducing our carbon foot print.

      Reference
      https://image.slidesharecdn.com/160127iaporkmoore-1606011630…
      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C6ucx3SU8AA7AZp.jpg
      https://image.slidesharecdn.com/160127iaporkmoore-1606011630…

      • acersaurus on 18/11/2020 - 19:35

        Cool story bro.

  • PurchaseAnxiety on 17/11/2020 - 15:11
    +4

    Don't buy those stupidly cheap products on Ozbargain that are practically useless (was guilty of this myself back when I was more naive about environmental impacts).

    Also, consider how many cars you have and whether you REALLY need all of them. My wife and I both had a car each. After my car cost me $2500 in repairs, I decided I'd had enough and sold it. Took public transport for a while, but ultimately switched over to a motorcycle. Still uses petrol, but uses less than a fifth of what my car did, and reduces congestion. There's also a decent number of car share services available if you only need an occasional set of wheels. Plenty of good and relatively cheap options for e-bikes and scooters too, if you don't need to travel long distances frequently. So consider your options.

    Finally, treat air con and heating as a last resort. Neither needs to come at the first sign of mild discomfort.

    • AustriaBargain on 17/11/2020 - 15:15

      And remember just because a deal has hundreds of votes and dozens of comments from excited people glad they bought one in time, doesn't mean the product is good. OZB as a hivemind isn't always great at detecting the best deals or quality products.

  • AustriaBargain on 17/11/2020 - 15:13

    I put expired food in the freeze with the intention of eating them and they are in there for six months before throwing them away. So that food makes pretty good insulation for the rest of the food, which lowers my energy bills.

  • Elite on 17/11/2020 - 16:24

    I think it's good to get as much perspective and information as possible so I thought at least to share as these many overviews have offered some practical interesting insights surrounding the subject for many -

    https://www.youtube.com/c/prageruniversity/search?query=clim…

    and

    https://youtu.be/Zk11vI-7czE

  • [Deactivated] on 17/11/2020 - 16:56

    Don't take flights to nowhere…or better yet, avoid flights in general.

    • OzzyOzbourne on 17/11/2020 - 21:06

      I always take flights to somewhere

  • dmac on 17/11/2020 - 17:16
    +1

    It's important to know that individual differences wont really change anything globally. It is important to reduce, reuse, recycle. However, individually the impact is minimal. What would make the biggest difference would be contributing to a group that pushes for development of renewable energy, or contributing to a group about sustainability in general.
    Sometimes we get too bogged down in "what I can do". Reducing the amount of shopping bags you use per year or recycling an item instead of buying new is just a drop in the ocean compared to what research and development can accomplish.

    Save your mental energy from fretting about everything you use, every piece of plastic is not a mark against you, use the convenience of being a little less preoccupied with personal use to spend time being involved in groups. Groups have far more impact on society than individuals even when averaging out over the number of people involved.

  • jujube32 on 17/11/2020 - 19:22
    +1

    switched to soap instead of liquid-based cleansers. less plastic packaging, less bulky to transport hence less pollution.
    reduce use of cling film by using beeswax wraps instead.

  • djmm on 17/11/2020 - 20:42
    +2

    Less humans

  • MagicOZ on 18/11/2020 - 02:50

    There is this Aussie fellow that teach how to grow vegi https://www.youtube.com/user/markyv69

  • andmcg on 18/11/2020 - 07:57

    I try not to consume like a standard millennial. That means little food waste; using what I buy. Have a single 10 year old car for the house. We reuse and repurpose where we can.

    The biggest thing is that I will have 1-2 children.

  • Mordaunt on 18/11/2020 - 08:25

    Embrace and encourage a fasting culture. We don't need to have 6 billion people eating 3+ meals every day, and we aren't designed for it. Governments globally should also incentivise and subsidise contraception and smaller family units.

  • altitudinous on 18/11/2020 - 08:41

    OP watches a trailer.

    "Things that I will consider to help in the long run"

    In other words, OP changes nothing.

    OP makes rant in the forums of Ozbargain. Expects others to fall into line without changing anything themselves.

    Just another day on the internet.

  • love2buy on 18/11/2020 - 09:58

    This is less obvious but is quite important as we are entering the age of having things being delivered. Make sure your building is easy to find especially in the dark. Being a driver myself, it just amazes me how hard some of these to find and is merely because the signage isn't thoughtfully placed or never had considered of how it'd would appear at night. Some even missing from plain sight. Probably a very cheap fix and would be a win for everyone including the planet as less energy is required for parcel to get to its destination.

  • biozet on 18/11/2020 - 10:48

    give up meat and dairy

  • CuteWittleCorgi on 18/11/2020 - 11:10

    "It really puts it into perspective on how the world has changed and how we contributed to it, the effects and consequences of our advances."

    You mean how the older generations contributed to it and now expect everyone else to pay for it.

    When I was watching the documentary I thought what a lifestyle David Attenborough lived; having visited hundreds of countries. Imagine the impact all that travelling has had. And now the message is NOT to live the way he/his generation lived.

    Okay.

  • rompastompa on 18/11/2020 - 13:16

    @Pandaboss, can you please edit the OP and create a summary to assist with our community sustainability goals? TIA.

  • 7ekn00 on 18/11/2020 - 14:02

    Don't forget to balance your views with Michael Moore's: Planet of the Humans ;)
    7

  • 1st-Amendment on 18/11/2020 - 14:30
    -2

    You were easily persuaded. This is the very definition of gullible.

  • EDM on 18/11/2020 - 20:09
    +1

    For those on the fence about climate change or would just like to learn more (not you climate change deniers), the wiki page has a good summation of the impact climate change is having on the planet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change

    Frankly, given the way the world has handled COVID-19 I don't think we'll win the war on climate change (despite Attenborough's optimism, there are a lot of reasons why we are here today).

    I remain optimistic however I believe there needs to be a drastic change to the way the world currently lives in order to move forward, and it's part of each and every individuals responsibility.

  • chcake on 19/11/2020 - 10:41
    +1

    Highly recommend War on Waste https://iview.abc.net.au/show/war-on-waste and Fight for Planet A https://iview.abc.net.au/show/fight-for-planet-a-our-climate… as additional viewing. A lot of the tips have already been mentioned here but they also cover some systemic problems and what individuals could start doing about those.

  • brendanq on 28/11/2020 - 15:19

    I need to be in the right mood to watch this - afraid it's going to be too depressing!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join