The 6 R’s of Sustainability: Why It’s Time to Rethink Everything

The truth is, the world today demands that we behave differently than we have in the past. It’s tempting to tune out or scroll past climate news, but now is not the time to look away. We cannot wait for those in power to fix the climate crisis. We cannot hope policy or innovation alone will save us. It’s up to us - all of us - to take meaningful action in our own lives and communities.

The Science Is Clear

Let’s begin with what we know. The Earth is warming - fast.

“Temperature records agree, and natural evidence backs it up: Global surface temperature has increased faster since 1970 than in any other 50-year period over at least the past 2,000 years” (Marder & Marder, 2025).

These rising temperatures are already impacting our daily lives: more extreme heat waves, devastating wildfires, intense rainfall, coastal flooding, and collapsing ecosystems. These symptoms are driven by a sharp increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), which have reached record-breaking levels. According to NASA, CO₂ levels as of May 2025 reached 430.51 parts per million - up from 315.87 ppm in 1958.

We don’t know the precise tipping point, but the data shows we’re heading toward it. The United Nations has warned that to avoid the worst outcomes, we must limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Yet, based on current emissions and lifestyles, we are on track for more than 3°C within the next 75 years.

Choose Optimism - and Action

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But this is not the time to retreat into despair. Instead, we must choose optimism—not blind positivity, but empowered, informed optimism. Optimism gives us the courage to act and reminds us that solutions still exist. As Sir David Attenborough once asked, “What good does it do to say, ‘Oh, to hell with it, I don't care’? You can't say that. Not if you love your children. Not if you love the rest of humanity.” (Cooper, 2020)

You Are Wired for Good

Still feeling hesitant? Trust your instincts. Research from Harvard and Yale shows that humans are naturally cooperative when acting on impulse. Our first instinct is to help, to work together, to do what’s right for the group. Right now, we need less hesitation and more of that innate drive to contribute. It starts with one shift: our mindset.

Rethinking Sustainability

You’ve probably heard of the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But today’s challenges require a broader approach. Recycling alone is no longer enough. In fact, it's the last step we should take - not the first.

It’s time to embrace the updated 6 R’s of sustainability, which guide us toward more conscious, sustainable choices:

1. Rethink

Do I really need more? Can I live with less? What’s the true cost of my consumption? Start by questioning your habits and making intentional choices.

2. Refuse

Say no to unnecessary consumption, single-use items, and fast fashion. Refuse what doesn’t align with your values - and demand better from brands and businesses.

3. Reduce

Simply put, use less. We live on a planet with finite resources. Every product you don’t buy means less energy used and less waste produced. And remember: there’s no such place as “away.”

4. Reuse

Buy high quality when possible and hold onto what you already own. Repurpose creatively. Reusing is not only resourceful - it’s a powerful way to signal your commitment to change.

5. Repair

Support companies that allow and encourage you to repair their products. Fight against planned obsolescence and resist the culture of disposability. Every repair is an act of resistance.

6. Recycle

Yes, still recycle - but let it be your last resort. Recycling takes energy and resources too. If you’ve followed the first five R’s, you’ll have much less to throw in the blue bin.

Where Do We Go from Here?

This is where we need to live - awake, aware, and engaged. None of us has to be perfect, but we do need to begin. Every single action matters. Every choice adds up.

The 6 R’s aren’t just a checklist. They are a mindset. A compass. A roadmap for living with integrity and intention in a warming world.

So start by rethinking your habits. Refuse what you don’t need. Reduce what you consume. Reuse what you have. Repair what you can. And finally, recycle what’s left.

The climate crisis is real. The time is now. Let’s stop waiting for someone else to fix it - and start leading the change together.

To get your copy of "A Kid's Guide to Climate Activism" - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FB9SNNN8

Want to learn more? Check out https://www.thecarbonemissions...

References:

The Six Rs of Sustainability: what are they? (2025, March 7). Greenly. https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/company-guide/the-six-rs-of-sustainability-what-are-they

Ward, A. F. (2024, February 20). Scientists probe human nature--and discover we are good, after all. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-probe-human-nature-and-discover-we-are-good-after-all/

Marder, J., & Marder, J. (2025, January 28). This is How Scientists Measure Global Temperature - NASA Science. NASA Science. https://science.nasa.gov/earth/measuring_global_temperature/

Cooper, A. (2020, September 27). Sir David Attenborough explains what he thinks needs to happen to save the planet - 60 Minutes. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-attenborough-climate-change-a-life-on-our-planet-60-minutes-2020-09-27/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab5j&linkId=100596412&fbclid=IwY2xjawLJFHNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFvM1JCcGE0cmE0RVN0bktDAR4DLzrAMMt0MRWff_zpJnPgYqhBqi4Ic_ZVzYFzfd4xcqnhLCdX1DrKoASlqg_aem_lu_8tvMeQy2UZF1kARvS6Q