What Actions could you (in theory) undertake that would improve the ‘Sustainability’ of your lifestyle? What might be preventing you from doing these?


At My time at university so far, i feel that my life has become more sustainable. there are many reasons that i believe this. Firstly before i came to The University. Like most 17 year olds i was desperate to learn to drive, once i passed i found myself driving everywhere even to my local shops which is about a 5 minute walk. As we all know, cars are not the most Eco-friendly machines. i rarely used public transport and spent a fortune on petrol producing more and more emissions, however not being allowed to bring my car to Northampton, i felt that my lifestyle improved without me knowing. i now regularly use the bus to go into town and walk to places rather than drive. i feel not only am i helping reduce emmission, it has even improved my health as i get more exercise.

This again is something i feel we should stress to future generations as obesity linked with excersise, diet and lifestyle is affecting our health, potentially resulting in shorter lives due to long term health problems, also Alcohol as a nation known for binge drinking i feel that it is adding to the problems that are there to live a sustainable lifestyle. Alcohol being a drug, is cheap and accessible to young people even underaged. i feel we need to educate future generations maybe using shock tactics to prevent this problem from geting any worse aswell as reduce it.

Another aspect of sustainability that has affected they way i now live in Northampton is Recycling. Previously at home i did the odd bit of recycling but not to the extent here. i feel that the designated bins in the kitchen have made me think about what im throwing away and that alot of it can be recycled or even re-used such as plastic bags from the supermarket or the plastic pots that chinese takeaways come in.

Thirdly, another source which is often wasted is Electricity. I know that i leave lights on when i am not in my room and the kitchen but whats preventing me from turning them off, is simply forgetfulness, too improve this aspect of my lifestyle would be to put up a note somewhere to be seen as Just a reminder to turn them off untill i get in the habit aswell as switching plugs off when not in use, which i do tend to do.


There is one problem that is preventing alot of people including me from fully changing my lifestyle, this is Money. We are asked to use public transport or change our diet to be more healthy but for a student it is simply too expensive. allthough Northampton being a Town with a university so there are alot of deals on public transport so it is cheap. it is not the case for alot of places. if i wanted to go home and visit my family for the weekend, instead of getting a train i would ask my parents to give me a lift because i cannot afford it. also the cheaper unhealthier packaged food is within most students budget whereas as fresh foods are not.