Sustainability – can you make it a day in your life without hearing/reading the word? If you can – you may need to rethink your day. I am not dramatic or overly cautious. I believe strongly that everyone – you, me, your neighbour, your pet and your work needs to start thinking, planning and living more sustainably NOW.

What is sustainability will probably be the first question you need to ask yourself. It is a 3 word question with an answer that can run pages. It is probably one of the most open-ended questions you will ask yourself (other than the “why must I eat my veggies?” question your preschooler asks). The answer is something personal and often you can learn from others but cannot copy others.

I have always maintained that I am a climate change and sustainability believer. But the other adult at home R is not a staunch supporter. Oh he does believe in climate change and sustainable living but he thinks environmentalists are blowing it out of proportion. It is his view and I respect it. Kuttyma is too young to really grasp the whole picture but she does see “problems” like cut trees before I do. In our own way, we try to lead more sustainable lives and help heal the planet.

I vividly remember with pride as she saw gasped and said that “bad people” are polluting the air by burning off some agricultural waste as we drove around town one day. Here are some of ways I try to teach my 4 year old about leading a sustainable life

Talk about it

Having a 4 year at home means sharing information with her. We talk about saving our resources and the planet often. I make sure I show her some pictures off the internet and get books related to environmental issues from the library. Some concepts are hard for her to grasp. She struggles with understanding carbon footprint and global warming. I have found that extrapolating everything to wild animals she loves helps. Polar bears on melting ice caps are great examples.

Carry your own bags

It is hard but I try to carry my own bags and then remind my 4 year old that we did our bit to reduce the plastic waste. Kuttyma does not understand the concept of decomposition yet but she knows plastics are harmful as fishes can eat them and die. Kuttyma has her own bags which she carries to stores when she helps me plan the shopping lists.

Recycle and Reuse

We recycle and reuse. We haul our moving boxes to kuttyma’s school for craft projects and guinea pig homes. We use scrap/used paper for craft projects and doodles. Again we talk about it. We talk how paper is made from trees and the need to watch what we use

Lead by Example

The easiest way is to show the path. I have seen kuttyma imitate grownups often. Throwing trash in the proper place, reusing and recycling in front of her makes a difference. These days she is quick to point when I fail to follow some of the rules.

Share the beauty around

Often grownups walk with eyes half-closed or glued to smart phones. I am blind to the beauty around me regularly but when I am with kuttyma, I make sure I keep my eyes open. I point out things I take for granted. The tiny red flowers on the ground, the dandelion, the ant lines, the spider web, the new green plants poking out, the birds flying around – everything is a work of art – a beauty that needs to be respected.

We have a small flower patch at home and admire the butterflies that come in. We have some herbs and harvest them. It is a way to connect my daughter to nature and share the wonder of life on earth.

I really cannot claim any victory but I can try and I will keep trying.