Lately I’ve been taking walks by the beach. And it’s been healing for my soul. Summer evokes unparalleled happiness in me – I always feel my best during this time of year. And with so much going on in the world (and my personal life), I need all the joy I can get. What I’ve learned? Nature is a powerful teacher and healer. It has so many lessons to share with us. All we have to do is open our hearts and see them. If you’re in a difficult place right now too, I hope my insights can help you. Here are some sustainable lessons nature teaches us – when we’re open enough to listen.
4 Sustainable Lessons Nature Teaches Us
1. everything serves a purpose
In nature, everything has a role in the ecosystem. There’s a hierarchy but every creature, small or large, serves a greater purpose. For example, while small, a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day (aka, removing pollutants and benefiting other sea life!).
I think this serves as a powerful reminder for us humans. Sometimes we forget we’re mammals (and thus part of nature too, not separate). So taking time to develop a relationship with the land and giving back to it is integral.
Everything we do to help the environment matters, big or small. Individual and collective action both matter. And they’re not mutually exclusive.
Lesson: Find your climate-related purpose. Everyone can contribute to making the earth a better place. For example, if you’re an artist, maybe you can use your abilities to make artwork that raises awareness about the climate crisis? Or, maybe you’re a programmer? Help by making an eco-friendly app! There’s something everyone can do – big or small.
2. nature is the ultimate recycler
The ultimate recycler? Nature. Let me explain: Everything in nature can be decomposed and turned into something new. Downed tree? Becomes a home for all kinds of little rodents/insects before eventually decomposing. Fallen leaves? Cozy nests for firefly larvae and other beneficial insects before decomposition.
Nothing is wasted. Everything returns to the earth in a cyclical manner. And I think we can absolutely learn from this.
Lesson: Lets be better recyclers ourselves! Learn your local recycling laws (print them out and put them on the fridge if you have to). There are seven kinds of plastics and not all are recyclable (plastic #1 and #2 tend to be the easiest). Glass and aluminum are infinitely recyclable. And of course, don’t forget to recycle your food scraps by composting! Whatever can’t be recycled? Upcycle!
3. slow down and live in the moment
Did you know earth is 4.54 billion years old? Humans have only been here for a blip of that time (~300,000 years to be exact). Evolution of our planet happened slowly, contributing to the beautiful planet we know and love now, the Holocene Epoch, primed for life. And compared to some species on this earth (ex: redwood trees can live 500-700 years), humans have relatively short lifespans (and even shorter health spans).
It makes you want to appreciate things more, slow down and enjoy all the abundance this earth gives us. And stepping into nature forces you to do exactly that. There’s no rush – no hustle of the office or city. Only the hum of life, buzzing and thriving, and clamoring for us to be a part of it.
Taking time to smell the flowers is not trivial. It’s essential. With how glued to or devices we are nowadays, detoxing from the digital world and reconnecting to our environment is more important than ever.
Lesson: Take time to slow down and observe your natural landscape through rewilding. Research your native species (both flora and fauna). And learn whose land you’re on. After all, indigenous cultures were here first and still protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity.
4. joy cannot be bought
Money is a man-made invention. And the more time you spend in nature, the more you realize how much value we put on it ourselves. But you cannot eat money (a line from one of my favorite songs, The Seed, by Aurora).
Obviously, in the linear economy we live in, money is important and essential to feeding, clothing, and housing ourselves. But it’s not necessarily the thing that gives us joy. Nor should we idolize it or value it above the health of people and planet.
True joy comes from the simple moments. Ones that cannot be bought. A walk in the park. A butterfly landing on you. Hearing bird song. Seeing an octopus in the wild instead of on your TV. A bird eating out of your hand. Feeling the warm summer sun on your skin. Those are moments you cannot pay for.
Lesson: Take time to find joy in nature. It doesn’t have to be going on an exotic trip overseas. Visit your local park, beach or waterway. Pack a zero waste picnic. Swim in a body of water. Paint your favorite local landscape. There are so many ways to find joy sustainably.
So, what do you think of these lessons nature teaches us? What more can you add to this list? Let me know in the comments!
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