The fact that huge amounts of water are used to produce clothes, food, and other products is certainly not lost on anyone. The figures that are painted when talking about production are almost always unfathomably large. This text will not deal with these numbers. Instead, this text will be about how to find a new way forward. How to find a new way to consume.
It is no longer possible to shrug our shoulders at over-consumption when we now know what it is doing to the climate. Waste and over-consumption are past and a thing of history. We live in new times that demand new consumption values. The modern consumer is no longer the one with an abundance of clothes in the wardrobe, food in the fridge, or cars in the garage. The modern consumer is the one who values the climate before consuming. The one who thinks long-term, who values quality over quantity – The modern consumer is the one who lives, at least for a while, minimalistic.
What is minimalism?
There is no real definition of minimalism, but the basic principles mean that broadly speaking, you should get rid of things that do not add value to life and create space for things that do. The word minimalism can sound scary to some as the "ism" in the word minimalism can make it seem like you should be part of some group or belief. Then some claim that a minimalist lifestyle means that you should, for example, minimize your digital distractions or only do one thing at a time. That is not the case. Minimalism can instead be seen as a term to describe a lifestyle where products and food are valued and respected to a greater extent.
So what is simple minimalism?
We can see simple minimalism as a way for the consumer to pick the raisin from the minimalist cake without necessarily having to call himself a minimalist. Because there are a lot of advantages to thinking minimalistically; both for one's well-being and also for the climate.
Why should we live more according to simple minimalism?
Climate change is partly a result of the consumption and growth of society and if we do not deal with our consumption, the climate issue will not be resolved either. The average Swede lives as if we had 4 globes. At the same time, approximately one billion people live in extreme poverty below the minimum required for a decent quality of life. To protect the planet and provide fair conditions for current and future generations, we must think about how we produce but above all how we consume goods. By thinking minimalistically about your consumption, you can make a real difference - because the problem starts and ends with us consumers.
Minimalism and sustainability go hand in hand
We at Generation Waste conduct our business with the main goal of combating wastage, waste, garbage, and yes, things that simply end up in the bin. Because it is so incredibly unnecessary for both the wallet and the climate to discard. You could say that we conduct our business based on simple minimalism. We think, for example, that you should protect the food and raw materials you have instead of producing in abundance and letting much of the food end up in the bin. We also see that quality is prioritized over quantity, and this is how you should think if you want to keep up with the changes in the restaurant industry.
Disproportionately large portions are history. Today, most modern restaurants rather work based on a minimalist mindset, where they treat the few ingredients they use with great respect and reverence. It's about getting the most out of each raw material. It's also about starting to focus on what's most profitable and removing what ends up in the bin to an excessively large extent. Because what ends up in the bin is pure waste, and waste is not only a minimalist's worst enemy but also one of the climate's worst enemies.
Everyone can make a difference
Minimalism or simple minimalism, you can call it what you want. The most important thing is actually that you start questioning your consumption and start valuing the climate more highly in your consumption. Because if we are to have any chance of reaching the UN's climate goals in 2030, it is required that every single person takes responsibility. Living a little more according to simple minimalism is not a big step for most people to take. It only means that you start valuing products and food a little more and maybe think twice before making that purchase. It may not lead to miracles for the climate, but at least it is an easy first step to take.