Life before the outbreak of Coronavirus was different than how it is currently. People were able to travel, go out to eat or order food online, to the malls for shopping, party and whatnot. This freedom then, however, was taken for granted and often misused. Also, it greatly affected the environment and society. People became accustomed to arbitrary consumption pattern which further leads to over-extraction of resources, wastage of goods and increases pollution.

Life during this pandemic situation has transformed. The loss of freedom, work and shortage of resources has improved people’s habit, if not by choice but due to conditions. The unrequired need for products is on a halt, unnecessary wastage of resources like petrol due to no travels, eating of outside food and wrong disposal of waste material has desisted. Furthermore, this gave nature a chance to replenish itself. As the air is fresher, rivers and lands are clean and a clear sky visible now. It shows that an undisturbed environment takes no less 21 days to heal itself and recover the loss it goes through daily by humans otherwise.

The COVID-19 disease has also compelled people to stay at home which gives a lot of time for each to rethink about the existent lifestyle and responsibility towards the environment and society. It is important to turn the pages and sustainable living is an outlook that needs to be pursued after the present situation. And that too in development of both levels i.e. production and consumption for the future of the planet. Industries and manufacturers should work on sustainable production if they are not by now.

— EVOLVE —
‘Evolve Foundation’ a social enterprise from Dehradun city by Nupur Agarwal serves as a great example of how to achieve that through acting small. The organization produces plantable stationery like pens, notebooks, etc that once used can be grown into a plant. The product leaves no wastage, zero-carbon footprints behind and instead, contributes to the environment in return. The pandemic also discerns the necessity to care and have empathy towards others for a good society.

‘Evolve’ has always believed in the same idea and works to empower women by providing them with employment, support farmers and educate their children through Rural Shiksha Programs, overall uplifting a rural family of a village. It should not only inspire but drive others to do something similar in every work. Each individual should play their part in sustainable consumption by not buying unneeded products, unnecessary wastage and opting for goods that don’t harm the environment and rather add something in exchange. A person aiding an organization working with sustainability is equally a part of the small step for a bigger change.

Try an ‘Evolve’ plantable pen instead of a plastic regular one the next time when it is needed. After its use, discover the meaning of ‘EVOLVE’ when the waste grows into a plant!