Sustainable Living: What Does it Mean?

Sus-tain-able: a word with such great meaning in this day and age. According to the Encarta World Dictionary, sustainable means able to be maintained ormaintaining ecological balance exploiting natural resources without destroying the ecological balance of an area. When I think of the word sustainable I think about living with a sense of balance and purpose. Not only does sustainable mean living with ecological regard but it also means making greater life choices to maintain that balance in every possible way.

For much of my life I have acknowledged the greater understanding that if you believe in something you should live your life with that in mind. I tend to buy only ecologically sound products, everything from biodegradable detergents and soaps to organic food and nutrients for my garden. Although it takes some work initially, living a more sustainable life is easier then it may seem. Here are some examples of small life changes that would benefit Mother Nature:

• walking or biking instead of driving
• replacing light bulbs with LED lights
• using one re-fillable water bottle instead of plastic bottles
• using environmentally friendly fertilizer
• recycling glass, plastic, aluminum, cardboard, even mulch

Stay up to date with these small tips with the Green Tip of the Week from the Pinellas County Utilities website. You can even subscribe via email.

Learn how you can recycle in the beach areas.  For more information about curbside recycling, yard waste and electronics recycling check out the details on your specific city on the county’s website. Can't sign up for curbside pick up? Check out this map of drop off locations across Pinellas County.

For hands-on learning, thankfully, there are events such as the "Growing Greener" event in Gulfport that can help guide you in the right direction.

Join the city of Gulfport and local advocates in learning the ways to live more sustainable lives. There will be live music, live art and seminars. Fun for all!

Advocates will share ideas on how to grow chemical free gardens, how to recognize non toxic and chemical free products and how to incorporate those into your daily life. There will be eco conscious artists, musicians, vegan food preparation seminars as well as an informal discussion on becoming your own community advocate.

The goal is to share with the community how policy and programs are helping Gulfport become a greener city. Such an event can give others a direction of their own to be advocates for their cities. It is exactly the little nudge that one would need to start the shift into making a difference. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

One of the speakers, Crea Rominelli, who I have had the great pleasure of working with, has had this vision for a greener and healthier community since we first met. She has worked with such passion on her own incredible organic garden and was quite the mentor for me. She not only walked me through her amazing landscapes but she also shared with me each plants' medicinal value as well as their intrinsic value. Rominelli has thankfully brought her vision to flesh, she has persevered in this great task and is now welcoming everyone out to learn from her and others who live successful sustainable lives.

Policy realm guest speaker Pamela Jo Hatley, who is a public attorney practicing environmental law and land use strategies, will speak to everyone on the importance of incorporating "green landscapes" and urban agriculture into city zoning among other healthy community building practices.

So, this weekend why not choose to attend an event that will truly help to make a difference in the state of Florida. Just to simply attend will bring a greater understanding of how to make the small changes in your own life to a more sustainable life. Others, who are already on this path will gain valuable tools and resources in order to begin their own environmental changes in their communities. After all, we are all in this together. Please take a look at the details below and join us for this fun and family friendly gathering.

More Resources: 

• Check out Peaceful Plate's facebook page for more information.
• Sustainable Living Magazine
• Learn about Sustainable Communities through the "Partnership for Sustainable Communities".