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Welcome

Sustainable Living Initiative is a non-profit-distributing social enterprise. Based in the East of England but international in outlook and orientation, we aim to promote closer links between people and nature. We focus on improving understanding of the relationship between our consumption and the carrying capacity of the Earth. To this end, Sustainable Living Initiative combines research and practical action in complementary ways.

The Rationale

Our physical existence and well-being depends on the consumption of goods and services. Yet, it is hard to establish how much we really need to live well and be happy. Whilst our desire to accumulate seems often to be infinite and insatiable, having 'more' does not necessarily improve our well-being. If 'more' were always better, those of us fortunate enough to get hold of an unfair share of goods and services would be the happiest human beings on Earth. But this is not the case! Moreover, in a bid to secure 'more' for ourselves, we may have deprived others of their fundamental rights to survive and flourish, and to have 'enough'.

The widespread obsession with the 'acquisition' of the goods and services we are told we need has a direct bearing on the carrying capacity of the planet Earth. Our consumption needs ultimately depend on the utilisation of natural resources. In this respect, the more we consume, the faster the rate of depletion of non-renewable natural resources. The waste from our consumption also contributes to the pollution of our environment. So, we are at this juncture of history where nobody is a real winner. Those with 'plenty' often fail to enjoy life and be content with what they have, and those with 'too little' find it hard to make ends meet. Yet, our political leaders — and most of us as well — are still preoccupied with increasing the quantity of goods and services produced, instead of improving the quality of our lives through 'sustainable living'.

Objectives

We believe that this somewhat gloomy scenario can be reversed. What is required is a desire for change combined with collective action, including discussion, action research and practical activities. Such initiatives should recognise, above all, the right of other people to live and prosper. Likewise, we need to understand the importance of non-material values in improving our quality of life. The main objectives of Sustainable Living are:

• to engage in discussion and debate on sustainable consumption
• to undertake innovative research on the relationship between consumption and the quality of life
• to promote practical action, individually and collectively
• to establish links with like-minded organisations for collaborative work

Activities

The main focus of Sustainable Living Initiative's work, at present, is on practical projects and research into issues related to sustainable consumption. As part of the practical action, we have started a pilot Grow-Our-Own allotment project in Norwich, aimed at encouraging and supporting novice gardeners to grow their own vegetables. Proposed activities include promoting non-monetary exchange of goods and services, such as a time bank, organising a discussion forum, disseminating information based on our research and action projects and carrying out collaborative projects with other like-minded organisations.

Would you like to get involved?

Sustainable Living Initiative aims to be a membership-based organisation. If you feel inspired by our ideas and actions and would like to get involved in the activities of the organisation in any way, please contact us. We would also welcome your comments and suggestions on the scope, aims and activities of the organisation.