Sustainable practices

Sustainable Living In A Fluctuating Economy

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Sustainable Living Tips in a Fluctuating Economy

This article is centred on sustainable living tips in a fluctuating economy In today’s world, sustainability is no longer just a slogan; it’s a necessity. With the growing awareness of climate change and the unpredictable nature of the global economy, many people are looking for ways to live more sustainably without breaking the bank. The good news is that sustainable living doesn’t have to be expensive. It can save you money while also helping the planet. Here are some practical tips for maintaining a sustainable lifestyle in a fluctuating economy. The act of Reducing, Reusing, Recycling The age-old sustainability maxim—reduce, reuse, recycle—is still applicable today. Cut back on your consumption first. This is about being conscious of what you buy, not about depriving yourself. Consider whether you need that new appliance or item of apparel. When you do make purchases, make an effort to select robust and long-lasting goods. Reusing is yet another effective strategy for reducing waste. Consider finding new uses for things before discarding them. Furniture can frequently be reconditioned rather than replaced, glass jars can be repurposed for storage, and discarded clothing can be recycled into cleaning rags. Recycling ought to be the very last option. Make sure you understand the recycling regulations in your area to prevent contamination and optimize the efficiency of your recycling efforts. Practise Energy Efficiency A large portion of family expenses go toward energy, particularly in uncertain economic times. Energy-efficient home improvements are among the easiest methods to save money. electricity-saving LED bulbs are a good place to start because they consume up to 80% less electricity than conventional bulbs. Over time, energy-efficient appliance purchases can also result in significant cost savings. These gadgets increase energy efficiency by modifying heating and cooling systems under your requirements and schedule. You may further cut down on your energy usage by adopting easy habits like disconnecting electronics, washing clothing in cold water, and turning off lights when not in use. Consider a Plant-Based Diet Food production is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions. Even a small percentage of a plant-based diet can make a big difference for the environment. Increase the number of plant-based meals you eat to start. Plant-based diets can be more cost-effective in addition to being better for the environment. Further cutting expenses is usually possible with less expensive vegetables, grains, and beans. Additionally, you may get fresh, organic produce for much less money by growing your fruits, or herbs in a tiny garden or even in containers. Practice Intentional Consumption Intentionalconsumption involves being mindful about what and how you consume. It means thinking about the lifecycle of a product—from its creation to its disposal—and choosing options that are less harmful to the environment. This could involve buying second-hand items, choosing products with minimal packaging, or simply buying less. In a fluctuating economy, mindful consumption can also help you avoid unnecessary expenses. By focusing on quality over quantity and prioritizing needs over wants, you can save money while reducing your environmental impact. DIY and Upcycling Upcycle old products rather than purchasing new ones to embrace the do-it-yourself attitude. This not only lowers waste but is also a great method to save money. A new coat of paint may breathe new life into worn-out furniture, and glass bottles can be turned into beautiful vases. There are countless options, and you’ll be shocked at how inventive and imaginative you can get. Conclusion Sustainable living in a fluctuating economy is all about making smart, mindful choices that benefit both your wallet and the planet. By reducing consumption, embracing energy efficiency, adopting a plant-based diet, practising mindful consumption, and getting creative with DIY projects, you can live sustainably without sacrificing financial stability. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come. Also read: Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Navigating The Future Of Food Production

How To Combat The Agelong Food Insecurity In Nigeria

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HOW TO COMBAT AGELONG FOOD INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

By Temitope Dada Food insecurity has been described by bodies like the United Nations, as the lack of regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development, which includes an active and healthy life too. This means that when people do not have access to good food at a time necessary, they are said to have food insecurity. Moreover, this can be due to a lack of resources to purchase such food supplies or the unavailability of the right food. In a country like Nigeria, where there is a great level of food insecurity as a result of the economic crisis and insurgency; most women, men, children, and youths daily go hungry and are extremely poor. A press release by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that 63% of persons in Nigeria (133 million people) are multidimensionally poor. Hence, this has resulted in health cases hinged on malnutrition, stunting, and underweight, all as a result of nutrition deficiencies. Also, statistics from the World Food Programme have projected that 26.5 million people across the country are projected to face acute hunger in the June-August 2024 season. This signifies necessary measures must be taken to ensure every citizen has access to good food, which is a germane need of every human. What then is the way forward to ensuring the nation produces food and its citizens have access to quality food; people eat their three-square meal, amidst wavering economic challenges and climatic conditions? What is the level of productivity of most farmers and the agricultural sector in the country? The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), says Nigeria’s agricultural system is mostly rainfed, showing that is unsustainable and extremely vulnerable to climate change. Thus, the unsustainable farming practices in Nigeria have contributed to the problem of food insecurity. Therefore, sustainable farming practices are a way forward to addressing food insecurity in the nation. This could be delved into to mitigate the looming hunger crisis, which has led to loss of lives, increased crime rate, and social vices. Sustainable farming refers to a farming process that protects the environment from destruction. It includes environmentally friendly farming practices. An example is the irrigated agriculture. Irrigated agriculture refers to a type of agriculture whereby crops; and plants are artificially watered. This ensures a round-year production and availability of food products. With this system, technological equipment could be used to carry out such watering in large-scale farmlands and plantations instead of waiting for rainy seasons for crop yields. Likewise, the subsistence form of farming is another way to mitigate this food insecurity. Subsistence farming refers to small-scale farming, that is usually not done for commercial purposes but for personal, family, or communal consumption. Families, groups, and individuals can plant crops and plants for their use and consumption. Plants such as rice, wheat, maize, cotton, sugarcane, and various fruits could be grown this this system of farming. People can practice subsistence farming through improved agricultural innovative methods like indoor vertical farming, and gardening in bags and containers. Indoor vertical farming can be practiced by growing farm produce, like Tomatoes, peppers, vegetables, indoors, in a regulated and enclosed space. With this technology, crop productivity can be increased in small spaces by using growing shelves that are set vertically. Frequently, the soil is not needed for the shelves but the plants grown with the roots in water and nutrient solutions (hydroponics). For gardening in bags or containers; the containers should be first filled with compost, then loamy soil before the seed is planted. Likewise, small holes should be made in the containers or bags for easy movement of water in the soil and passage of oxygen.   Also Read: Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Navigating The Future Of Food Production

Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Navigating The Future Of Food Production

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agriculture

  Agriculture is the future of food production and sustainable agricultural practices is the best method of navigating the future of food production. There is a continuous demand for the production of more food and food products. Studies state that by 2050, food production will increase by 70%. One of the prominent reasons there will be an increase in food production is the rapid growth of the world’s population.  Over 800 million people in the world’s population will be malnourished by 2030 if there are no innovations in the agricultural sector. Mitigating these challenges requires a team of farmers, investors, government and stakeholders working together to create sustainable agriculture. Farmers and agricultural organisations need to invest in more technology and strategic means to combat future insufficiency.  How do we sustain agricultural practices so that they navigate the future of food production?   Sustaining agricultural practice stands on the existing principle that the world’s needs must be met without a negative impact on the future of agriculture. To do so, farmers must incorporate healthy, economically profitable, environmentally beneficial approaches to agriculture. These include: Cultivating healthy planting and maintaining healthy soil. Promoting biodiversity Reducing agricultural runoffs Preventing food wastage Minimise and eradicate all forms of pollution Integrate mixed farming system (livestock and crop farming) Encouraging agroforestry practices Enhancing the lives of farmers and farming communities  Promoting ethical and green farming practices. Sustainable practices include urban agriculture, permaculture, agroforestry, crop rotation, biodynamic farming, natural pest management, natural animal rearing, crop protection, mulching and biological weed control.    Conclusion The future of farming is bright, and to ensure we have a sustainable agricultural system requires fundamental changes regarding the management of our natural environment. With the latest technology gadgets, tools, and top research, it is possible to make changes to protect our environment and also ourselves as we are the end users. This is only achieved through sustainable agriculture.