Here at Ethical Good, we're delighted that the concept of 'ethical living' has gained significant traction over recent years. But we're also aware that phrases and key words can become popular and get banded around, sometimes without true exploration of what sits behind them. That's why in this blog we aim to explore exactly what it means to try to 'live ethically', why is it important, and to provide you with inspiration to help you make more conscious and responsible choices in your daily lives.
What is Ethical Living?
Ethical living refers to trying to make choices that are morally right, sustainable, and socially responsible. It involves being mindful of the impact our actions have on the environment, society, and the well-being of others. This approach to life encourages individuals to consider the ethical implications of their consumption, lifestyle, and interactions with the world.
At its core, ethical living is about aligning one's values with their actions. It's about striving to minimise harm and maximise positive impact, whether through supporting fair trade, reducing waste, or advocating for human rights.
Principles of Ethical Living
Sustainability:
Sustainability is about meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It encompasses environmental stewardship, responsible resource use, and the preservation of natural ecosystems.
Try to choose products made from sustainable materials, reduce energy consumption, support renewable energy sources, and adopt a zero-waste lifestyle.
Fair Trade:
Fair trade aims to ensure that producers, especially in developing countries, receive fair compensation and work under equitable conditions.
You can aim to support fair trade certified products, which guarantee that farmers and workers are paid fairly and work in safe conditions.
Social Responsibility:
Social responsibility involves acting in ways that benefit society as a whole, including advocating for social justice, human rights, and equitable treatment for all.
Try to engage in community service, support businesses with strong social responsibility practices, and advocate for policies that promote social equity.
Animal Welfare:
Ethical living includes concern for the treatment of animals, ensuring they are treated humanely and with respect.
We suggest that you avoid products tested on animals, support cruelty-free brands, and consider plant-based or responsibly sourced animal products.
Mindful Consumption:
Mindful consumption is about being aware of the origins and impacts of the products we buy, and choosing to consume less and more thoughtfully.
Consider purchasing only what is necessary, choose quality over quantity, and support local and ethical brands.
Environmental Protection:
Protecting the environment involves actions that reduce our ecological footprint and preserve natural habitats.
Look at ways in which you can reduce, reuse, recycle, support conservation efforts, consider the most environmentally friendly approaches to transport and avoid single-use plastics.
Transparency and Accountability:
Transparency and accountability require businesses and individuals to be open about their practices and take responsibility for their actions.
Aim to choose brands that are transparent about their sourcing and manufacturing processes, and hold them accountable for ethical practices.
Why is Ethical Living Important?
Ethical living is crucial for several reasons:
Environmental Impact: Our planet faces significant environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, and resource depletion. Ethical living helps mitigate these issues by promoting sustainable practices.
Social Justice: Ethical living supports fair treatment and equitable opportunities for all individuals, contributing to a more just and humane society.
Personal Well-being: Living ethically can enhance personal fulfilment by aligning actions with values, leading to a more meaningful and purpose-driven life.
Economic Fairness: Supporting fair trade and ethical businesses helps ensure that workers are paid fairly and work under safe conditions, promoting economic justice.
Getting Started with Ethical Living
Transitioning to an ethical lifestyle doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start small and gradually incorporate more ethical choices into your daily routine. Here are some practical steps to get you started:
Educate Yourself: Learn about the issues and what constitutes ethical practices in various aspects of life.
Evaluate Your Consumption: Take stock of what you buy and use, and consider alternatives that are more ethical.
Support Ethical Brands: Look for certifications like Fair Trade, Organic, and Cruelty-Free.
Reduce Waste: Adopt practices like recycling, composting, and using reusable items.
Engage with Your Community: Join local initiatives, support social causes, get in touch with nature and spread awareness about ethical living.
By embracing the principles of ethical living, you can contribute to a more sustainable, fair, and compassionate world. Every small step counts, and together, we can make a significant impact.
Check out our recommended ethical brands:
Here at Ethical Good, ethical living is a top priority. Here are just a few ethically based brands that we recommend you check out...
Albury Organic Vineyard - who not only produce incredible organic wines, but they also host a wide range of beautiful community events, from bee-keeping demonstrations to moonlit biodynamic farming celebrations!
Ellis Brigham - a family owned outdoor clothing brand who pride themselves on being a business with exemplary core values and a strong policy on human trafficking.
Green Salon Collective - whose vision is to 'raise the standard of the hair and beauty industry by enabling salons to become more ethical and sustainable environments'.
PositiveLuxury.com - 'the leading sustainability experts for the global luxury industry'. By helping businesses meet higher and higher standards for people and nature, their aim is to transform luxury – for the good of all.
Also, be sure to explore the range of fairtrade, organic, vegan and eco-friendly products available at EthicalSuperstore.com
Ethical Actions at Ethical Good:
We thought, we'd leave you with some examples of the things our team members do to try to live ethically. These include; keeping chickens and selling spare eggs to the locals, upcycling old furniture to reduce landfill and growing a range of yummy fruits in the garden to make jams to give as homemade gifts at Christmas!
Can you think of some small actions that you personally can you start taking to live more ethically, starting today?
Get in touch with our passionate team to explore this hot topic further.