Tell us about yourself. What inspires you to live sustainably?
I am 31-year old French woman, based in Dubai for the past 6 years. Even though I live in the city, I feel close to the nature and animals (I am a proud ‘horse mama’), and when I am not in office, I am always outside in the countryside (desert, mountains). It is important to me to live in an healthy environment, and I’m quite worried when witnessing all the consequences of the global warming on the environment, on the animals and of course, on us Humans.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced on your journey towards sustainability? How did you overcome it, and what valuable lessons did you learn?
When I became vegetarian (after being a big meat consumer all my life), coming from a country where the meat is very present in the traditional cuisine, I had to learn again how to cook – in reading about what nutrients I need and in which food to find them, etc. I thought it would be so hard but actually now I don’t miss either meat or fish at all, and I keep discovering new dishes!
How do you ensure you consume in a mindful, sustainable manner?
I tried to improve on every topic, even on the tiniest things, as I believe that all put together it makes a difference… here are few examples:
- I prioritize local products and in bulk whenever possible to decrease the amount of packaging ;
- I try to buy only what I need and avoid compulsive purchases ;
- I prioritize smaller business with a sustainable approach of doing business ;
- I always carry reusable bags and bottles.
- I look for more natural products ;
- I support associations and rely some information on social media.
Tell us about your favourite and easiest swap.
I personally cannot stand the concept of plastic bottles, which are unhealthy for both the environment and people… so adopting the water tank with clay filter definitely was my best call. Same with the shampoo bar and soap, which made all plastic bottles disappeared from my bathroom, and I am happy to support smaller businesses.
What role do you think companies like Shift Eco play in shaping a greener future?
It is necessary for businesses to start thinking of their impact on the environment and to start focusing on reducing this impact. The ways of consumption must be improved, and the influence of companies like Shift Eco is, I believe, huge.
What advice would you give to someone hesitant to start living a more sustainable lifestyle?
We are running low in time and must act quickly to change things, as it is our duty to care for the next generations who will struggle a lot more than us. Every little gesture helps, and the idea is not to go back to cave life but that each of us tries, as much as we can. We should not expect from others to do it for us.