The right conditions

Sustainability is more effective when actions take place under the appropriate conditions for the action.  For example, the showy milkweed plant, which is essential for the monarch butterfly, is native to this area.  Because monarch populations are significantly declining, many people are planting milkweed.  I planted milkweed seeds several times with no success.  Then, on a walk in a natural area, I noticed that milkweed grows in moist soil near the edges of lakes and canals, not in dry clay soil such as is in my yard.  Understanding and developing the correct conditions necessary for success would have probably resulted in a group of healthy milkweed plants in my yard.  This is true for most actions – knowledge can save time and energy and increase the likelihood of success.  Before you start a sustainability project, do a little research.  Here are a few ideas to ponder.   

• Cooking and eating more sustainably is about more than just choosing sustainable foods and ingredients.  Match the size of the pot to the size of the stovetop element so you don’t waste energy heating the air around the pot.  If you have a toaster oven, use it for small batch baking rather than using the standard larger oven.  When using the oven, plan to cook more than one item while the oven is hot.  Choose a menu appropriate for the weather – don’t use the oven for several hours on a day when the air conditioner is also operating.    
• There are many ways to make a house more energy efficient.  Understanding your individual situation will help you know how to make the biggest difference for the money and resources you will have to spend.  For a house with poor insulation, insulating the attic might be the most impactful change.  For house with old, drafty windows, caulking windows and adding heavy curtains might be an easy way to reduce energy loss if you cannot replace the windows.  Using appliances more effectively (read the instruction manual if you have it) can reduce the energy used in your home. 
• If you are trying to create habitat for native creatures, study what meets their needs.  Many pollinators (bees, moths, butterflies, etc.), birds, and other creatures require native plants to thrive.  Non-native plants and creatures may become an invasive nuisance instead of enhancing habitat.  Some birds will eat seeds from a bird feeder, but many will not.  These birds may require a ground feeder or berries instead of seeds.