29th June, 2024
Speakers
Sonika Bhasin, a media professional, sustainability enthusiast and influencer
Gauri Gupta, co-founder, Arani Ecosteps, a brand offering non-toxic, low-waste personal and home care products.
Moderator: Bhakti Tirthani, a design thinker and communication consultant, Creative Dignity
Leading a low-waste lifestyle through intentional consumption choices, waste reduction and sustainable practices is a powerful strategy to combat climate change. Cultivating mindfulness, fostering community engagement and prioritizing positive change are essential for driving this transformative shift. During this session, we spotlighted the efforts of two sustainability advocates to inspire CD members to take action and explore practical ways to reduce their environmental impact as well as lessons for eco-friendly branding. Key takeaways include:
Parenting with Sustainability Ethos
Sonika embarked on a low waste wagon after she became a parent and is committed to bringing her up child with the same values. She uses the positive force of Instagram through her account @sonikabhasin with a follower base of 76 thousand to share experiences and tips to encourage as many people as possible to shift towards a more mindful way of life.
She says that raising children with values of sustainability can happen through leading by example and practicing an environmentally aware lifestyle in our homes. This could encompass composting, proper waste management, sending household materials for recycling, reducing new purchases, avoiding fast fashion, supporting local producers, using public transport or walking instead of driving, and more. Small steps can make a big impact on the environment.
Proactive parenting could mean activities like hosting seminars and talks at our children’s schools to educate others on waste management and environmentally conscious living.
Making Small Changes in Lifestyle
Promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle involves seeking sustainable alternatives to environmentally harmful products and practices, such as disposables and plastics. By discovering emerging sustainable brands, which can be found on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, individuals can take a step towards sustainability. By sharing information about these brands and products with friends and family, individuals can further promote environmental action. Making simple changes like cooking at home instead of ordering out, dining out mindfully and minimizing the use of fast commerce options for shopping, can help reduce waste production and energy consumption in everyday life.
Recognition of our privileges in the changing climate scenario is necessary as these privileges put us in a position of responsibility to mend our lifestyles and think on a community level and not on a personal level.
Environmentally Conscious Brands
The market for environmentally conscious goods and brands has experienced significant growth in recent years, with expectations for further expansion. As awareness among consumers increases, there is a growing interest in sustainable alternatives, placing a greater responsibility on eco-friendly brands to ensure their products are manufactured in a manner that respects the environment and its limitations.
Gauri Gupta of Arani Ecosteps shared some concerns and guidelines the brand has followed in its entrepreneurial journey as a growing pro-environment brand. Arani Ecosteps’ focus is on novel formulations and materials to reimagines home products as dehydrated, concentrated solids in effort to reduce plastic packaging and carbon emissions. She shared that it is crucial to first identify the environmental issue at hand, understand its impact, and develop innovative solutions.
These guiding questions can shape the brand’s mission and vision.
For environmentally conscious brands, it is essential to establish core principles and values that prioritise environmental sustainability while also offering user-friendly, high-quality, and cost-effective products for their target audience. Conducting thorough research and providing detailed information about the product creation process, including raw materials, product qualities, environmental benefits, and addressing consumer inquiries, can help build trust and credibility with customers over time.
By making this information easily accessible on the brand’s website, Instagram page, and YouTube channels, brands can cultivate a loyal customer base. Simplifying product-related information through the use of illustrations, videos, and clear explanations can enhance consumer understanding and engagement, fostering a stronger connection between the brand and its audience.
Consumers Command the Power
Corporations thrive on the trust and support of consumers, who have the ability to drive significant change through their purchasing decisions. By becoming more conscious of the impact of their choices, consumers can play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis by shifting towards sustainable brands. Recognising the urgency of the climate crisis, consumers have the opportunity to take action and contribute to positive change by embracing their role as responsible global citizens.
CraftxClimate
Creative Dignity’s “CraftxClimate” initiative aims to position the crafts sector at the forefront of UN SDG 12 ‘Responsible Production and Consumption’ through issue identification, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and advocating sustainable solutions. Join us as we explore climate-resilient growth paths for handmade businesses together! Our exciting lineup of conversations and masterclasses with industry experts focuses on crafting a sustainable future.