230_Eleven Sustainability Trends That Will Shape Our Future

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 230

Eleven Sustainability Trends That Will Shape Our Future

The condition of our planet is slowly but surely becoming a daily headline. This is both good and bad. But being what it is, at least this type of daily news is getting everyone’s attention. It is perhaps pressuring people and businesses to take a more serious stance toward our sustainability efforts.

However, there is no one thing, no magic bullet that will save our planet. It is going to require a complete cultural shift, a complete overhaul of our daily habits right down to what we eat. The challenge is that cultural shifts take time. The good news is that is already underway.

So, join me for E230 Eleven Sustainability Trends That Will Shape Our Future.

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is #230 Eleven Sustainability Trends That Will Shape Our Future.

You know, I stopped watching network television over 20 years ago. Although there were a number of reasons for this, the primary reason is that I felt it added no value to my life. On top of that, I did not feel the need to be immersed in bad news everyday. But despite this avoidance tactic, it is increasingly difficult to escape all the bad news. Everyone around me is always talking about what is going on in the world.

Of course it is because of all that is going on in the world that more and more of us feel uneasy about our future. That is why one of the best parts of my weekly podcast is to pass along a bit of good news. But this week, I actually have 11 bits of good news in the form of 11 sustainability trends that will shape our future. But actually, I have 12 bits of good news, one of which is the good news story of the week.

Good News Story of the Week

This weeks good news story is truly one of inspiration.

A man named Kalimullah Kahn from India’s town of Malihabad, has been cultivating mangos since the 1950s. During that time, he has created something that was seemingly impossible. He grafted branches onto a single mango tree so that it would produce different varieties. He  has thus created a single tree that produces over 300 varieties of mangos.

The tree is now 125 years old and is the living embodiment of Kalimullah’s life work. He is now 84 years old. Because of his work the prime minister of India presented him with the fourth highest civilian honor that the country gives out. Growers as far away as Dubai and Iran have visited the orchard to study the work of the “Mango Man of India.”

So, after that one bit of good news let’s move on to more good news with 11 sustainability trends that will shape our future. For me one of the best part of this is that it is an indication of an overall cultural trend and that people are wanting to be sustainable. 

1) Renewable Energy

Number one on the list is of course renewable energy. Certainly at this point it is obvious that our heavy reliance on fossil fuels needs to come to an end. The good news is that the cost of renewables has dramatically declined over the past two decades. It is now far less expensive and timely to build and install a solar electric generating plant than it is to build a fossil fuel plant. In 2024 the investments in renewables exceeded that of fossil fuels and that trend is expected to continue.

We already have the technology to run the entire planet off of renewables. But there is of course considerable political resistance and pressure from the fossil fuel industry to prevent that from happening.

Based on average energy use for our homes in 2022, if every residence in the United States installed a 5 kW solar array, it would offset our total energy production from fossil fuels by 21.7%. Also based on average emissions from electricity generation in 2022, we could cut our carbon emissions by 48%. That is the equivalent of removing 160 million gas powered vehicles from the road. But this also means improved air quality due to less pollution.

Increased reliance on renewable energy will also result in the stabilization of the global energy market. Countries and communities will no longer have to tolerate fluctuations in the the global energy market because energy will become local instead of global.

2) Our means of transportation will be transformed

It should be no surprise that our means of transportation is a leading cause of carbon emissions. The use of passenger vehicles accounts for approximately 48% of all global carbon emissions.

Thankfully, there are on-going advancements in battery and electric vehicle technology as well charging infrastructure which has accelerated the adoption of electric cars. Additionally autonomous vehicles.

Autonomous vehicles, such as self-driving cars, buses, and trucks, are being integrated into public transit systems in smart cities, making transportation more efficient and safer.

As of March 2025, the average cost of an EV is around $59K USD. For many people this is out of their price range. If that is the case for your, hybrid vehicles have been proven to significantly reduce carbon emissions and have greatly improved gas mileage.

3) Permanent remote working

We are all aware that remote working opportunities increased during the pandemic. However, that has become a permanent trend. Remote working is expected to increase an additional 25% by 2030. And this is not surprising since remote jobs offer benefits for employers, employees and the environment.

At least in the United States, approximately 91% of people use their personal vehicles for commuting to work. Reducing the amount of personal vehicles on the road of course has significant benefits since 48% of our emissions is due to use of those vehicles.

Employers save approximately $10,600 annually by downsizing their office footprint. They have reduced expensed related to office space, utilities, maintenance, and supplies. On top of that, employees are much happier and more productive. Companies that offer remote work also experience a 25% less turn over rate.

4) Recycling

There are numerous sustainable trends in recycling that are evolving to address environmental challenges and promote economic growth. One significant trend is the emphasis on a circular economy, where products and materials are designed for reuse and recycling. Not only does this foster long-term profitability but also promotes environmental responsibility.

Advanced recycling technologies, such as chemical recycling and waste-to-energy solutions, are becoming more prevalent. These innovations help reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal and support sustainable practices.

Additionally, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies are gaining traction. These policies compel manufacturers to manage the disposal of their products and minimize environmental impact. This approach also encourages the creation of more sustainable packaging that is easier to recycle.

The recycling industry is seeing increased investment in infrastructure and sustainable practices primarily driven by environmental considerations and consumer demand for eco-friendly products. Initiatives such community recycling drives and waste segregation programs are making a significant difference in reducing waste and promoting recycling.

5) Trends in Reuse/Repurpose and Purchasing Second Hand Products.

It is truly exciting to see that more people as well as businesses are up-cycling products and buying second-hand items as opposed to new ones. Recent research has revealed that consumers value the creativity of up-cycled products which suggests a growing interest in unique and innovative designs. 

Additionally, a survey found that almost 60% of Gen Z and Millennials are willing to purchase up-cycled products, indicating a shift towards more sustainable and creative consumption patterns.

Businesses are also embracing up-cycling and second-hand markets. For instance, companies like Samsung have introduced programs like Galaxy Up-cycling at Home, which repurposes old devices into new products, and packaging that can be converted into household objects. 

These trends reflect a broader movement towards a circular economy, where products are repaired, reused, and up-cycled to reduce waste and environmental impact. It is also refreshing to know that this shift is driven by consumer demand for sustainable and unique products, as well as businesses recognizing the economic and environmental benefits of up-cycling and second-hand markets.

The bottom line is that we can drastically reduce our carbon footprint by not only purchasing fewer products but by being more intentional about what we purchase and why.

6) Brand Responsibility and Transparency

Now there is another trend that I think is fantastic. Consumers are increasingly demanding brand responsibility and transparency. More and more frequently people want to know that the products they buy are ethically sourced and that the companies they support have a genuine sense of purpose meaning they focus on positively impacting society and the environment. This trend in consumer demand reflects a broader shift where consumers expect brands to address social and environmental issues.

Additionally, modern consumers are no longer just passive recipients of information. People these days actively use social networks to express their opinions and even organize boycotts if they feel a brand is not living up to its promises. This social power allows consumers to pressure and influence a company’s  stances on any issues of public concern. As a result, companies that embrace transparency and responsibility can build trust with their audience and customers which is of course good for business.

World governments, especially in Europe, have passed laws requiring comprehensive sustainability reporting from businesses. Additionally, because of the introduction of the sustainable finance disclosure regulation, all financial market participants are required to make climate-related financial disclosures that are public information.

Sustainability is now more than just a label. Brands are now being required to be forthcoming about their credentials. Greenwashing may indeed result in legal action. Companies can no longer just market their sustainability efforts. They actually have to put them into practice.

7) Reduced Waste Due to Packaging

What most people do not realize is that on a global basis nearly 40% of our waste is from packaging materials. The United States, the EU, and China are the biggest contributors. The problem is that most of this packaging ends up in landfills.

The good news is that industries are increasingly moving towards sustainable materials. This is good news because these materials are typically derived from renewable sources, require less energy to produce, and are designed to be durable and recyclable, promoting environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

The down side is that the adoption of sustainable materials faces challenges such as limited supplier options, lack of clear industry-wide standards, and resistance to change within organizations. So this is a work in progress.

8) Smart Technologies

In a world where new technology seems to appear everyday, we are also seeing new devices that will help us be more sustainable and minimize the use of our resources.

For example, the use of smart thermostats for our homes to help reduce our energy usage has more than tripled. Smart appliances that greatly reduce our energy consumption are also widely used. Smart sprinkler systems minimize the use of water. New precision agricultural techniques conserve resources and reduce the environmental impact of our farming.

Additionally, cities around the world are using advanced technology to use a wide range of eco-friendly practices such as transitioning to circular economies, building with green materials and adopting local solutions to mobility and transportation. Cities a communities are becoming more efficient and reducing the consumption of resources.

9) Reducing food waste

As environmental concerns continue to mount, addressing food waste is increasingly on the agenda for most countries around the world. Globally we sent approximately 1.3 billion tons of food to our landfills which has significant environmental impact. Industry experts say that reducing food waste is becoming a high priority with composting for businesses and individual household being high on the list.

10) Plant based diets

We already know that of all the things we do as humans our means of food production has by far the greatest impact. Yet, the United Nations World Food Program states that by 2050 our food production is going to have to increase by 50% to 60% percent in order to support our growing population.

In order to address that concern, more emphasis is being placed on plant-based diets. Recent studies have proven that plant based diets will address many human health concerns related to our high calorie meat based diet. Additionally plant-based diets will help to address climate change and our depletion of our natural resources.

As consumers become more aware that plant based proteins are environmentally friendly the demand for such products continues to rise. Some even tout insect proteins as an alternative. But whether we switch to beetle burgers or cricket crackers remains to be seen.

11) The race to net zero continues

As talks of climate change become more urgent, the pressing need to reach net-zero emissions is becoming painfully obvious. Carbon capture and storage and carbon off-set schemes are just not enough. In response to slow government action many worldwide non-government entities are making their own plans to half emission by 2030 with the eventual goal of net zero. And this is a trend that will continue into the future.

Final Comments

Now you may think that many of these sustainability trends are something that we see already, albeit in small ways. However, these are trends that we all truly need to watch because they are incredibly positive. Imagine if your local community adopted these changes even in some small way. Imagine if countries around the world adopted these changes in some significant way. That is when we would start to see much greater shifts in the health of our planet.

Every small step we can take is a push toward a much greater cultural shift.

Howard Zinn, a historian, author, playwright and activist once said, “We do not have to engage in grand heroic acts to participate in the process of changes. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”

Well folks, I think that is about it for this week. I truly hope you have enjoyed this episode. If so, be sure to visit the homepage for the podcast, adventuresinsustainableliving.com. and sign up for my email list and you can receive a free download of 200 sustainability questions and answers.

Until next week this is your host Patrick signing off. Always remember to live sustainably because this is how we build a better future.