40 Quotes On Sustainable Living To Get You Thinking

Quotes on sustainable living

Let's go over some Quotes on sustainable living to get you thinking about the life you currently live. It's interesting that every choice we make may have a more significant impact than we realize.

The simple act of choosing to recycle or riding your bike to work one day a week doesn't just affect you. It helps the planet and future generations that will rely on it to survive.

Sustainable living is essential, and more and more people realize this fact. And knowing that this movement matters to others can encourage you to be proactive and make positive changes in your own life. So we've got 40 quotes on sustainable living, covering everything from fashion to nature.

You're going to love the inspiration! But before we dive into our epic list of sustainable living quotes, let's discuss what sustainable living is.

What is sustainable living?

The lifestyle of sustainable living tries to protect the environment, climate, and planet as much as possible. So, when living sustainably, you try to reduce waste and use of the world's resources.

It's a way of thinking about others, especially generations in the future who will directly deal with the consequences of our actions today - whether those are positive or negative. You can delve further into the world of sustainable living with our favorite books on the topic!

40 Inspirational quotes on sustainable living

Check out these 40 quotes about sustainable living, featuring 7 different high-impact topics. See which ones speak to you the most!

Sustainable living quotes for fashion lovers

Fashion is a means to express ourselves and show creativity and confidence. Moreover, while we're doing this, it's important to remember that many other people and the environment are impacted by what we wear. 

"Fashion can be a universal player in protecting the planet." - Pharell Williams

Choose recycled or eco-friendly brands. You can choose to help the environment and other people by caring about what you buy. Check out our article Slow Fashion VS Fast Fashion: Why Slow Fashion Matters for more information! You will see why this is one of our favorite quotes about sustainable living.

"If you pay a little more, we can live a little better." - Sharti Atka, a garment worker from Bangladesh 

Considering the impact our buying choices have on others is incredibly important. So show your support for fair labor practices by buying from companies that care and prove it in the numbers.

"Ethical and sustainable fashion is not a product. It's a practice. Everyone is invited to participate. There's no obligation to buy. And you can get started right now. Today." - Elizabeth L. Cline

Being a thoughtful person who considers fashion part of sustainability is simple. When creating your wardrobe, consider its impact on the world.

"Infinite growth of material consumption in a finite world is an impossibility." - E. F. Schaumacher

We have a small number of resources, and we need to be aware of that as consumers of fashion and other items.

"The most sustainable garment is the one already in your wardrobe." - Orsola de Castro

Why buy more when you don't need to buy at all? It's crucial to make use of what you have.

"Buy less, choose well." – Vivienne Westwood

When buying items, pick things that are well made and will last a long time.

Quotes about sustainable living and the environment

These quotes on sustainable living cover how to consider environmental impact and the planet's future.

"We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it." - Barack Obama

Although there is debate about the time frame, there is urgency for us to do something now to help with the quality of life in the upcoming years.

"A mere 2% increase in the carbon content of the planet's soils could offset 100% of all greenhouse gas emissions going into the atmosphere." – Dr. Rattan Lal

It's important to research and find out the facts about our environment and what it needs. After that, then we can begin to help in a real way.

"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry." - Thomas Fuller

Let's not wait until we feel the effects of a changing world before trying to do something. We can create a better future.

"Where the quality of life goes down for the environment, the quality of life goes down for humans." - George Holland

Humanity is connected to the environment, nature, and our climate. We cannot live independently of it and must consider it with our actions.

"The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard." - Gaylord Nelson

Even if we don't see the changes ourselves, we have to think about the future and how much what we do today will matter in a short time.

Quotes on sustainable living for recycling

Recycling is an easy way to make a difference for the planet. Every person can do it, and it has the power to help so much. It's not just an option; it's necessary.

"There is no such thing as 'away.' When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere." - Annie Leonard, Proponent of Sustainability

Our actions with waste and recycling don't just disappear. It matters what we choose to do when we no longer want an item.

"We just can't consume our way to a more sustainable world." - Geckoandfly.com

If we don't change what we do, we can't expect positive results. The whole planet has to work for it.

"We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly." - Anne Marie Bonneau

This means that we aren't required to know everything about recycling or not make any mistakes. We just need to care and try, and with enough people doing so, that will be enough.

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

If each person does their part, our world gets better. Do your best and have faith that others will, too.

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." - New England proverb

Be practical about what you buy and throw away. Try to make clothing and items last as long as possible.

"When you put the whole picture together, recycling is the right thing to do." - Pam Shoemaker

A practical thought on recycling: please participate.

Sustainable living quotes for nature lovers

These quotes are for people who appreciate the beauty of nature. Nature relies on us and our actions to make sure it stays beautiful and can do its job of protecting humanity. Here are some sustainable living quotes about how much the outdoors matters.

"Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive, and even spiritual satisfaction." - Dr. Edward O. Wilson

We need nature to help us with every aspect of our lives. It only makes sense that we take care of it as much as possible.

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." - Mahatma Gandhi

Carefully consider the impact when interacting with nature. Whether this means planting trees or protecting wildlife, there are many ways to give back.

"We are not above nature, we are a part of nature." - Jennifer Nini

Nature cannot speak for itself, but that doesn't mean we are more important than it is. It matters so much for life and sustainability.

"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people."— Franklin D. Roosevelt

We literally need nature to breathe. That's one of the most obvious reasons to take care of it well.

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir

There is beauty and wisdom in the outdoors. Take a walk and experience all that nature has to offer.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein

Nature can heal us and teach us so much. There's nothing like being outdoors to help you think and understand a different perspective.

Quotes on sustainable living and positive change

With so much to do for the environment and sustainability, you may feel overwhelmed. But know that you can make a difference. The following quotes about sustainable living are meant to inspire you as you move forward on your journey towards a more sustainable world.

"As consumers, we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy." - Emma Watson

Sustainability can be as simple as reading ingredient lists or checking out the eco-friendly practices of a company. So remember to support things that matter to you.

"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." - Robert Swan

Instead of waiting on others to do it for us, we each need to be part of the change for a healthier and brighter future.

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." -George Bernard Shaw

Caring about our own planet and limited resources is important. We must be willing to change our attitudes and our actions because we can make a difference.

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little." - Edmund Burke

Don't think that you doing your part doesn't help. It matters a lot, especially when many people join in.

"The world is changed by your example, not your opinion." - Paulo Coelho

We cannot just talk and then do nothing. We need to show our opinions by our actions.

"One person can make all the difference in the world. For the first time in recorded human history, we have the fate of the whole planet in our hands." - Chrissie Hynde

There are numerous cases of one person caring so much that they impacted the world. Be part of this by standing up for what you believe in.

"The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many people are striving for a more sustainable world. Be inspired by those that have made a difference in the past, and carry that with you to the future.

Sustainable living quotes for beauty and skincare

Suppose you're someone who loves beauty and skincare. In that case, there are many ways to consider sustainability with products and think about how to help the environment through skincare.

"Don't rely on labels to give you the information you need. Trust only the ingredient list and your gut." - Yancy Lael

Look at what is in your skincare and makeup products by reading the ingredients. Are they natural? Do they help or harm the environment?

"Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything." - Thich Nhat Hanh

By making an effort to use good products, we are helping not just ourselves but the planet.

"The most environmentally friendly product is the one you didn't buy." - Joshua Becker

If you can, use skin care products made from ingredients you already have at home, or use up what you already have instead of buying more.

"Every time you spend money you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want." - Anna Lappe

When choosing beauty and skincare products, show what you want for the planet by how you invest your dollars. 

Sustainable living quotes for green living

The green living lifestyle puts our planet first in each decision. These quotes on sustainable living will encourage you on the journey.

"Many people still believe that 'green' solutions are too expensive, but they are actually much cheaper when all of the costs to public health, social services, and waste handling are factored into the same equation." - Majora Carter

Costs are not always apparent. Consider green solutions because they are worth so much for our environment.

"The strongest governments on earth cannot clean up pollution by themselves. They must rely on each ordinary person, like you and me, on our choices, and on our will." – Chai Jing

No one can make us choose environmentally friendly solutions. We each have to do so independently, and it matters more than we think.

"The frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives." - A proverb

If we don't consider impacts to our world, we may not have one that is sustainable for very long. We must care for what we have.

"Reducing our levels of consumption will not be a sacrifice but a bonus if we simply redefine the meaning of the word 'success.' "- David Wann

Let's begin to consider it a victory when all people, our climate, and the environment win.

"Action is the antidote to despair." - Joan Baez

Rather than worry about the state of the world, we can do something. This will not only help, but it can take away some of our concerns.

"The single biggest threat to our planet is the destruction of habitat and along the way loss of precious wildlife. We need to reach a balance where people, habitat, and wildlife can co-exist – if we don't everyone loses…one day." – Steve Irwin

Consider ways to live that positively impact nature, animals, and the environment. It helps everyone.

How to begin living sustainably

Do these quotes have you convinced that sustainability is a great lifestyle practice? If you don't know where to start, that's okay. There are many ways to help. Wanting to make a difference is a significant first step. Here are a few ways how to follow it up with action:

1. Start with the basics

Suppose you are just beginning to live sustainably. In that case, there are some basic things you can do to help do your part without it changing your life too much. First, consider recycling.

This is as easy as grabbing an extra trash can for your home and placing recyclable products in it when you've finished using them. It will allow them to find a new life in the future, instead of being simply thrown away.

2. Try new sustainable hobbies

Next, think about hobbies like gardening that might be fun and environmentally friendly. If you love to garden, by all means, grow your own food and create a vast space for flowers and plants.

If you're new to it, for simplicity's sake, you could even start with small herbs like oregano. Keep just a couple in your kitchen to begin. Gardens can be large or small; they still help the planet.

3. Reduce transportation pollution

Last, consider your transportation situation. Our planet faces constant pollution from cars. It's not that you should never drive a car if you have one, but consider other options. For example, do you live close enough that you could bike or walk to work a couple of days a week?

Or is it possible to work from home sometimes and save yourself from needing to drive? There are many ways to reduce the use of automobiles, including having car-free days on the weekend or using an alternative method of transport.

4. Pick something to concentrate on

The amount that needs to be done to help our climate and environment is…well, not small. But choosing an issue you care about and focusing on that can make a big impact. So what interests you? Sustainable skincare? Recyclable paper?

Find the topic that you feel is important and learn about it. Then add new sustainable options to your life. Such as giving sustainable gifts! You'll feel a lot better knowing you care enough to focus on something in particular to help the world.

Use these quotes on sustainable living for inspiration to make positive changes!

These quotes on sustainable living are meant to inspire and give every person hope that we can make an impact. We can turn our world around in a fantastic way in a short time.

Our world needs us. It needs leaders that will make a difference with their own actions and (kindly) encourage others to do the same.

There is plenty to do, and any place is an excellent place to start. You don't have to take sustainability on by yourself, either. In fact, you can't. But everyone can help. What will you do to make your lifestyle more sustainable?

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