Description

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 257

How to Solve Our Global Challenges in One Generation

Years ago I built this really nice storage shed at the cabin. It is where we store a lot of our extra dry goods and it also houses our chest freezer. But, despite the size of the shed, it is in a perpetual state of disarray.  I have this really bad habit of just closing the door and ignoring it.

I sometimes think that our world is a lot like my storage shed, in a perpetual state of disarray. And most of us go home at night, close our doors and forget about it. Now this sort of approach of course is not the answer to my storage shed or our global challenges. So join me for E257 How to Solve Our Global Challenges in One Generation.

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E257 How to Solve Our Global Challenges in One Generation.

What I want to cover in this episode is sort of a quick over view of our global challenges based on things I have covered in the last several episodes. But then I want to talk very specifically about how we are going to solve those challenges. Now I will say, the solution is rather straight forward but I may not be easy.

Good News Story of the Week

This weeks good news story is about a possible medical breakthrough regarding the treatment of human brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

An anti-body compound that is found exclusively in camelids such as alpacas, llamas, and dromedaries could be used to treat specific human brain disorders.

This antibody like protein, can nano bodies, has been used successfully in mice is now set for development to treat humans. This camelid antibody could open a new era of biologic therapies for brain disorders and revolutionize how scientists think about therapeutics such as for cancer and autoimmune disorders. 

These nano-bodies have not been found in other mammals but have been observed in some fish species. They have been shown to restore behavioral deficits in certain neurologic disorders. And FYI, the World Health Organization says that approximately 8.7% of our current drug compounds have been derived from animals.

Now, let’s move on to this week’s episode. 

You know, I tend to be a very organized person. I pay close attention to my personal finances. Even though I am self employed and can within reason do with my schedule whatever I choose,  I tend to decide on my work schedule 3 to 4 months in advance. And since I love to travel I am usually planning things at least 6 to 9 months in advance, sometimes longer.

But despite that level of organization, my storage shed is in a constant state of disarray. This is because I am constantly working on one thing or another, always in a hurry of course and I have a tendency to not put all the tools away. I always joke around about how it looks like a trailer park after a tornado. I occasionally think that I am going to leave that mess to someone in my will. But If I would only approach my storage shed with some level of intentionality, the organization would take care of itself. But, then again, the same is true about our world.

Over the last few episodes I have focused on some of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. Things such as melting ice caps, our dependence on fossil fuels, plastic pollution, deforestation, our agricultural systems, the urban diet pressure loop and ocean acidification all have a significant and compounding affect on our planet.

But like so many other things, I tend to look at big challenges such as these and the first question I ask is, “How did we get here?” But as with most big challenges and big problems, it’s never any one thing. It is the result of multiple factors with the underlying, driving theme of a total lack of intentionality.

Now to cement that point in your brain, let’s do a quick comparison between two opposite ends of the spectrum.  Intentional living is a mindful lifestyle philosophy centered on making conscious, deliberate choices that align with your values, purpose, and long-term vision for life—rather than simply reacting to circumstances or following societal norms. It’s truly about living by design, not default.

Now let’s compare that philosophy to the way of life that has resulted in our present global challenges. This will explain why we have ended up where we are at this point in time and, if you remember from my last few episodes, this is a quick summary.

⚙️ 1. Industrialization and Overconsumption

•  Since the Industrial Revolution, economic growth has relied on burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), which release massive amounts of greenhouse gases.
•  Societies measure success by production and consumption — leading to overuse of natural resources far beyond the Earth’s ability to regenerate them.
•  Mass production and a “throwaway” culture have caused waste accumulation, pollution, and depletion of forests, soils, and oceans.

🌍 We’re using about 1.7 Earths’ worth of resources each year — meaning we’re overshooting what the planet can renew.

👥 2. Rapid Population Growth

•  The global population has soared from 2.5 billion in 1950 to over 8 billion today.
•  This expansion drives demand for food, water, housing, energy, and land — putting immense pressure on ecosystems.
•  Urban sprawl and infrastructure growth destroy habitats and strain water and energy supplies.

More people means more demand — but finite ecosystems can’t keep up.

🌾 3. Unsustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

•  Industrial farming uses chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and monocultures, degrading soil and biodiversity.
•  Livestock production emits methane and consumes vast land and water resources.
•  Food waste — nearly 1/3 of all food produced — adds unnecessary strain to landfills and the climate.

Our food system both depends on and damages the environment it relies on.

🏭 4. Dependence on Fossil Fuels

•  Energy, transport, and manufacturing still depend largely on coal, oil, and natural gas.
•  These fuels emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants that cause climate change, acid rain, and air pollution.
•  Transition to renewable energy is happening, but too slowly to offset rising emissions.

Fossil fuels built the modern world — and now threaten its stability.

🌳 5. Deforestation and Habitat Destruction

•  Forests are cleared for agriculture, logging, and urban expansion.
•  This destroys biodiversity, reduces carbon storage, and disrupts rainfall patterns.
•  Coral reefs, wetlands, and grasslands face similar destruction.

Every lost forest weakens the planet’s ability to regulate its own climate.

🧪 6. Pollution and Waste

•  Industrial, agricultural, and household pollution contaminate air, water, and soil.
•  Plastic pollution has reached every ecosystem — from mountain peaks to ocean floors.
•  Chemical contaminants like PFAS, heavy metals, and microplastics harm wildlife and human health.

The planet has become our landfill — but nature has limits.

💰 7. Economic Systems That Ignore Environmental Costs

•  Current economies prioritize short-term profit and growth over long-term sustainability.
•  Environmental damage is treated as an “externality” — something not paid for by the polluters.
•  This encourages resource exploitation and discourages conservation.

The environment pays the hidden cost of economic progress.

🧠 8. Lack of Awareness, Protective Policy, and Global Cooperation

•  Environmental problems are complex and interconnected — no single nation can solve them alone.
•  Many policies are reactive, not preventive.
•  Disinformation, political inaction, and unequal global responsibilities slow down progress.

Awareness is rising, but collective action is still too fragmented and slow.

🌀 9. Feedback Loops and Compounding Crises

•  Climate change worsens other issues: droughts lead to deforestation, deforestation increases warming, and so on.
•  Urban diet pressure loop also places immense pressure on our ecosystems.
•  These feedback loops amplify the speed and scale of environmental decline.

The planet’s natural balance is unraveling faster than we can repair it.

🌱 In Summary

We face so many environmental challenges today because:

1.  Humanity has outpaced nature’s capacity to regenerate.
2.  Economic systems reward exploitation over conservation. We still value short-term profit over long-term sustainability.
3.  Our global population and consumption keep rising.
4.  Pollution and waste are side effects of convenience and profit.
5.  Global action has been too slow to match the scale of the crisis.

Now my guess is that the average person would look at that list and feel overwhelmed. The average person would look at that list and feel as if their individual action makes no difference. If you are one of those people, welcome to the club of millions of others. This is the reason for a lot of inaction.

Most people feel overwhelmed by environmental problems for a mix of psychological, social, and even structural reasons.

🌀 1. The Problems Feel Immense and Global

•  Climate change, deforestation, plastic pollution — these issues seem too vast for one person to influence.
•  The scale of destruction (melting ice caps, dying coral reefs, species extinction) can feel paralyzing.
•  Constant exposure to bad news leads to eco-anxiety and desensitization.

“How can my recycling or composting possibly matter when the oceans are filling with plastic?”

🧠 2. Information Overload and Complexity

•  The environmental crisis is complex and interconnected — climate, energy, food, water, economy — each tied to the other.
•  Scientific terms and political debates can make it confusing to know what’s true or what to prioritize.
•  Conflicting messages (“go vegan!” vs. “fly less!” vs. “buy electric cars!”) create decision fatigue.

People don’t lack compassion — they lack clarity and confidence about what really helps.

🏭 3. The Feeling That “Big Systems” Are to Blame

•  Many see governments and corporations as the primary culprits, so individual efforts feel insignificant.
•  When policies, infrastructure, and industries remain unsustainable, personal actions seem futile.
•  People may think: “Why should I sacrifice when oil companies keep polluting?”

Systemic inertia breeds personal helplessness.

💰 4. Lifestyle Dependence on Unsustainable Systems

•  Modern life depends on convenience — packaged foods, cars, electricity, cheap goods — all tied to fossil fuels and resource extraction.
•  Making greener choices can feel expensive, inconvenient, or out of reach.
•  It’s hard to feel empowered when eco-friendly living seems designed for the wealthy.

Many want to live sustainably, but society isn’t built to make that easy.

📺 5. Media Negativity and Doom Fatigue

•  Constant exposure to alarming headlines (“The world is burning!” “We’re running out of time!”) causes emotional burnout.
•  The brain responds by tuning out or avoiding the topic altogether.
•  Without hopeful stories or visible progress, despair grows.

Too much fear shuts people down — hope and agency open them up.

🕰️ 6. The Disconnect Between Action and Outcome

•  Environmental progress takes time — years or decades — while people are used to instant results.
•  Picking up litter or planting a tree feels good, but the global picture barely shifts, leading to discouragement.
•  People struggle to see the collective impact of small actions.

The benefits of sustainability are real but delayed — and that delay can drain motivation.

🤝 7. Social and Cultural Barriers

•  In some communities, caring about the environment is seen as “political” or “elitist.”
•  Lack of community support or peer pressure discourages change.
•  People may fear judgment for “not doing enough” or for “being too radical.”

We change best when we feel connected, not shamed.

💚 8. Emotional Fatigue — Eco-Anxiety, Grief, and Guilt

•  Many people feel guilty for their lifestyle, grieve for the damage done, or fear the future.
•  Without outlets for hope, purpose, or community, these emotions become overwhelming.
•  This can lead to apathy — a protective form of emotional numbing.

Overwhelm is often a sign of deep care, not indifference.

🌱 How We Can Overcome the Overwhelm

Challenge

What Helps

Feeling powerless

Focus on small, local actions that show visible results

Information overload

Learn one issue at a time and apply it to your life

Doom fatigue

Seek out success stories and solutions journalism, visit the Good News Network several times per week.

Systemic frustration

Join collective action — community gardens, local policy, volunteer groups

Emotional burnout

Practice eco-gratitude and connect with nature regularly

Disconnection

Build community around shared purpose — you’re not alone

Now, all of that being said, let’s circle back to this concept of intentional living.

Intentional living is a mindful lifestyle philosophy centered on making conscious, deliberate choices that align with your values, purpose, and long-term vision for life—rather than simply reacting to circumstances or following societal norms. It’s about living by design, not default.

So, let’s briefly take a deeper look at what it means:

🌱 Core Principles

1.  Clarity of Values – You take time to define what truly matters to you (e.g., sustainability, family, creativity, freedom, health, contribution).
2.  Purposeful Decisions – Every major (and many minor) choice—how you spend time, money, energy, and attention—is guided by those values.
3.  Simplicity and Focus – You reduce distractions and excess commitments to make space for what’s meaningful.
4.  Awareness and Reflection – You cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness to stay aligned and adjust as needed.
5.  Sustainability and Balance – You aim for a lifestyle that supports long-term well-being—personally, socially, and environmentally.

🌍 How It Looks in Practice

•  In daily life: Choosing to spend your mornings journaling, meditating, or gardening instead of scrolling through social media.
•  In relationships: Nurturing authentic, positive connections rather than maintaining surface-level ones.
•  In work: Pursuing a career or projects that reflect your values and make a positive impact.
•  In consumption: Buying fewer, better things; supporting ethical brands; reducing waste.
•  In environment: Living sustainably—reducing energy use, supporting local food systems, and caring for nature.

🧭 Benefits of Intentional Living

•  Greater sense of purpose and fulfillment
•  Reduced stress, overwhelm, and clutter
•  Stronger self-identity and confidence in decisions
•  Improved relationships and community connection
•  A more sustainable and harmonious lifestyle

🌿 In Short

Intentional living is about aligning your actions with your beliefs—living consciously, ethically, and authentically so your life reflects what matters most to you.

Now let’s compare that to how we are going to solve our global challenges in one generation. Despite how most of us may feel, there is actually quite a lot we can do.

🌡️ 1. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Actions:

•  🚲 Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transport instead of driving alone.
•  ✈️ Limit air travel; offset emissions or choose virtual meetings.
•  ⚡ Switch to renewable energy (community solar, green power programs).
•  💡 Improve home efficiency: LED bulbs, smart thermostats, good insulation.
•  🔌 Unplug electronics when not in use.

Why it matters:

Energy and transportation account for most greenhouse gas emissions.
Even small personal reductions add up to huge collective impact.

🥗 2. Eat Sustainably

Actions:

•  🍎 Choose more plant-based meals — even one or two meatless days a week makes a difference.
•  🥦 Buy local, seasonal, and organic foods to reduce transport emissions.
•  ♻️ Avoid single-use packaging; bring reusable bags and containers.
•  🍲 Reduce food waste: plan meals, store food properly, compost scraps.

Why it matters:

Food systems generate about one-third of global emissions, and food waste is one of the largest contributors to methane pollution.

🏡 3. Conserve Water and Energy at Home

Actions:

•  🚿 Take shorter showers and install low-flow fixtures.
•  💧 Fix leaks promptly.
•  ☀️ Use solar dryers (clotheslines) and energy-efficient appliances.
•  🌳 Shade your home with trees to reduce cooling needs.

Why it matters:

Energy and water conservation reduce the strain on freshwater systems and cut emissions from power generation.

🛒 4. Consume Less and Buy Smart

Actions:

•  🛍️ Buy fewer, higher-quality, durable goods.
•  🔄 Repair, reuse, and share instead of constantly replacing.
•  🧴 Choose eco-friendly, non-toxic, and plastic-free products.
•  📦 Support companies with sustainable and ethical supply chains.

Why it matters:

Every product requires energy, water, and materials to produce.
Minimalism and mindful consumption directly reduce pollution and waste.

🌳 5. Protect and Restore Nature

Actions:

•  🌱 Plant native trees, flowers, or create a pollinator garden.
•  🚯 Clean up litter in your neighborhood or local waterways.
•  🐦 Support conservation groups or volunteer at nature reserves.
•  🏡 Avoid pesticides and chemicals harmful to soil and pollinators.

Why it matters:

Healthy ecosystems absorb carbon, clean air and water, and protect biodiversity — all essential for a stable climate.

🗳️ 6. Advocate and Educate

Actions:

•  🗳️ Vote for leaders and policies that support climate action and sustainability.
•  ✍️ Write to representatives or sign petitions for stronger environmental laws.
•  🧠 Educate friends, family, and your community about simple sustainable steps.
•  💬 Use social media to amplify positive environmental change.

Why it matters:

Systemic change requires public demand and informed citizens.
Your voice — multiplied by millions — drives policy and corporate accountability.

💚 7. Build Sustainable Habits and Mindsets

Actions:

•  📅 Set small, achievable sustainability goals each month.
•  🧩 Join local eco-groups, co-ops, or community gardens.
•  🌎 Practice gratitude and mindfulness toward nature.
•  👣 Track your impact using carbon footprint apps or sustainability journals.

Why it matters:

Long-term change starts with consistent habits — not perfection, but progress.

⚖️ 8. Support Systemic Change with Your Wallet

Actions:

•  🏦 Switch to green banks or credit unions that don’t fund fossil fuels.
•  💵 Invest in renewable energy funds or sustainable businesses.
•  🛒 Support local farmers, artisans, and repair services instead of global chains.

Why it matters:

Your spending power can shift markets faster than you think — demand creates supply.

🌍 In Summary

Category

Individual Actions

Global Benefit

Reduce Emissions

Drive less, save energy

Slows climate change

Eat Sustainably

Eat plants, waste less food

Protects land & water

Protect Nature

Plant trees, avoid chemicals

Supports biodiversity

Buy Mindfully

Consume less, recycle

Cuts pollution

Advocate

Vote, speak up

Drives systemic change

🌱 Small actions create big waves.

Most people feel as if their individual action makes no difference. But, you need to look at this from a different perspective. Truly it is the culmination of our individual actions over the past several hundred years that have resulted in our present global challenges. This is where our individual actions come into play.

For example, you may not think much about purchasing or throwing away a single plastic bottle. But globally, estimates suggest that around 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, which translates to roughly 1.4 billion bottles per day. Globally, only about 9% of all plastics are recycled with plastic bottles being the worst culprit. This means approximately 1.3. billion plastic bottles per day end up in the trash.

When you look at this from that perspective you start to truly appreciate that when millions of people adopt sustainable habits it will truly make a difference. Eventually businesses, governments, and communities evolve to reflect those values.

That being said, I have been living off the grid and focusing on a sustainable, low impact lifestyle for almost 30 years now. Guess what, my life is still not perfect. I am still finding better ways of doing things. It’s a process and I am not sure my life will ever be 100% sustainable. But, look at it this way.

🌍 We don’t need a handful of people living perfectly sustainable lives.
We need millions living imperfectly but consciously — together. 🌍 But there’s hope.

We already have the knowledge and technology to reverse many of these trends — renewable energy, regenerative farming, circular economies, and restoration ecology — if we choose to act collectively. The bottom line is that we could solve our global challenges in one generation if will live intentionally.