Sustainable lifestyle

Interview with Fleur Rosier

1. Can you point out why sustainability is so important to you?

a. Because a lot of the stuff we use daily is luxury. You don’t need a lot of things you use daily. Like a plastic bottle or plastic bags. And besides that, there are a lot of things like shampoo bottles that are unnecessary.

2. What are the most important aspects of a sustainable lifestyle for you?

a. I think to keep educating myself and maybe others that somethings are just not necessary. It is a lifestyle, and you just need to get used to it. I didn’t like the first shampoo bar I owned but after a while I found one that works for me. You just need to keep looking for the things that work for you.

3. How sustainable would you describe your own lifestyle right now?

a. I can do better! But everyone can always do better. Right now, I would say I am very balanced in the way I am being sustainable. The only thing I still struggle with is food waste and the plastic packages.

4. What are the most import things that you already have changed?

a. Like I already said the shampoo and shower bottles for bars. And I have reusable wimps. Also, I try to buy vegetables and fruits without the plastic packages. So, I have reusable vegetables-/fruit bags. I always try to have reusable shopping bags with me. That are the like big things I have done. But the small things I do I also find important. Like doing everything by bike if that is possible, always taking a 5-minute shower or turning off the lights when I am not in that room.

5. What do you want to change about your lifestyle in the future?

a. I would like to use less plastic packaging and living in a self-supportive house if you know what I mean. But the thing is that some changes cost a lot of money and I don’t have that right now.

6. What are sources that help you getting more and more sustainable?

a. There is a Dutch book called “leven zonder afval” which the literaly translation is “living without trash”. I also follow a few Instagram accounts. Besides that, I also think it is important that you bring the conversation to your surroundings. Your family and friends. Because they can either help you or you can help them by giving advice.

7. Who or what was/is your inspiration?

a. Good question! I started doing research after the documentary “A Life On Our Planet”. David Attenborough basically showed that we need nature, and that nature doesn’t need us. And besides all that I believe that we can exist with nature in balance. Because right now there is no balance. There are too many humans and too many industries that we don’t need. For example, the meat/animal industry. We don’t need to eat meat. We can survive without it. So why not minimalize it?

8. If you look at the people around you, what do you think needs to change urgently?

a. I would not say change. Of course, there needs to be a change but first of all people need to start thinking about it. Start doing research and understand why people make a change from shampoo bottles to bars. I believe that a change starts by knowledge because knowledge is power. If I have to choose one thing, I changed the last two years that I believe is very important that would be eating way less meat.

9. What kind of food comes to your mind if we are talking about sustainability?

a. Like I said meat. Because of all the greenhouse gasses that come from food 60% comes from meat. I find that kind of number shocking. And I know it is not hard to

eat (almost) plant based. I am not saying that I am the best example because I am still not a complete vegetarian or vegan but at least I am giving it a chance.

10. Do you think being vegan or vegetarian is necessary?

a. Yes, I do. At least being vegetarian. Because of the 60% but also because of the animals. The animals are not my first argument to become a vegetarian or vegan, but it is my second. Because they literally exist too be food to a species that does not need it!

11. Are there any tips you can give others to start living a sustainable lifestyle?

a. Just start researching and watching documentaries like Cowspiracy, Seaspiracy or a life on our planet. Like I said if people would only have the knowledge to make different choices or to defend their choice the world would be already a better place. Because I don’t expect people to have the same opinion as me, but I don’t like arguing or discussing this subject with people who don’t know what they are talking about. So please go read and watch! Maybe your opinion on something like this will change.