How To Live A More Sustainable Life

Julie Starr • June 28, 2022



To live a more sustainable life, you can’t just change everything all at once. Instead, you have to change your whole way of life but do it slowly. Being more sustainable isn’t a simple goal you can check off and move on to the next thing on your list. Instead, it’s a journey you take for the rest of your life, learning, experimenting, failing, starting over, and telling others about your journey. Here are a few ways to begin.

Reduce Your Consumption 

This is a very important long-term goal. We are all consumers, but our constant excessive consumption of everything is destroying our only home. It’s not all our fault because we’ve been told that this is what makes for a happy, successful life, but more and more of us are realizing that this isn’t true.

The world is full of the things we buy, from diapers to plastic straws, and if you want to be more environmentally friendly, you should think of everything you buy as an eco-friendly choice.

  Support Local Businesses 

This is a big step toward living in a more sustainable way, but it’s often missed. Being more environmentally friendly doesn’t mean you can never buy anything again. Smaller, independent, and local businesses are often more environmentally friendly than large corporations, so giving your money to them is a great way to be greener.

  Check out the brands you often buy from. Do they work with a group that helps people in need? Do they make up for their pollution? Are they a business that helps people? Do they help the environment in any way? What about if they use a managed IT provider – are they doing what they can too? All of these are easy things you can do to make sure your money is helping the environment.

  When you buy from a local business, your money stays in your community, and you know you’re helping real people who are often very passionate about their work, skill, or product.

Make And Mend 

If you want to live in a more sustainable way, you need to keep your things, clothes, and other belongings in circulation for longer and value them more.

  Although, of course, recycling is a positive thing, it can also be useful to think of it as a last resort. Most of what we think we recycle doesn’t get recycled, and it only makes up a small part of everything we throw away. By fixing broken things and using them for longer, we’re actually living much more sustainably, only recycling when we really have to, and ideally not sending anything to landfills if possible. 

Travel Carefully

We’re all rethinking how we travel right now, so it’s time to think about how your new, more sustainable lifestyle fits into travel. Going on vacation in a more eco-friendly way can mean different things.

  Don’t fly, which is one of the worst things you can do for the environment. Carbon emissions from a round-trip flight to New York are more than what some people in developing countries use up in a whole year. Slow travel is great. Whether you take the train or a bike, enjoy not being in a hurry and seeing the scenery from a different angle. Travel less but travel better. Slow down and enjoy the ride. This will make your trip more meaningful and give you deeper, more life-changing experiences.

The Business Case for Sustainability: Communicating Your Strategy in an Evolving Landscape

By Julie Starr • February 17, 2025
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.

Connecting the Dots: Air Quality, Climate Messaging, and Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 7, 2025
I n a world increasingly affected by environmental change, it’s critical to recognize the everyday impacts of air pollution beyond the commonly cited respiratory and cardiovascular risks. A recent study, published in Nature Communications , reveals that even short-term exposure to air pollution can impair cognitive function, affecting focus, emotional recognition, and task performance. This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need for effective climate communication and stakeholder engagement to address air quality issues. At Taiga Company, we specialize in climate-focused stakeholder engagement, helping organizations bridge the gap between scientific findings and actionable change. Our services provide a crucial platform for educating stakeholders—including businesses, policymakers, and communities—on the dangers of air pollution and the strategic steps needed to mitigate its effects.  The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function The study found that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter, even for just an hour, reduced participants' ability to maintain focus, process emotions accurately, and avoid distractions. Such cognitive impairments can have profound implications in workplace productivity, education, and public safety. For instance, employees working in environments with poor air quality may experience diminished concentration, leading to decreased efficiency and increased errors. Similarly, students exposed to air pollution may struggle with academic performance due to impaired attention and emotional regulation. These insights reinforce the idea that air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a societal and economic one, requiring a holistic approach to policy, corporate responsibility, and community engagement. The Role of Climate Messaging in Air Quality Awareness Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, public awareness of air pollution’s cognitive and behavioral impacts remains limited. This is where strategic climate messaging becomes essential. Effective communication can: Translate complex scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Drive policy advocacy by equipping decision-makers with data-backed arguments for stricter air quality regulations. Encourage behavioral change among businesses and individuals by highlighting solutions, such as cleaner transportation, sustainable energy sources, and indoor air quality improvements. However, simply disseminating information is not enough. Stakeholder engagement ensures that communities, businesses, and policymakers are not just informed but also motivated and equipped to take action. Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility The study’s findings make one thing clear: air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a cognitive and social issue with wide-reaching consequences. As we navigate an increasingly complex climate landscape, it’s crucial to integrate air quality concerns into broader discussions on sustainability, health, and productivity. At Taiga Company, we believe that effective stakeholder engagement is the key to transforming awareness into action. By educating businesses, policymakers, and communities, we can drive the changes necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. To learn more about how Taiga Company can help your organization develop impactful climate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, contact us today.
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