How Can a Mindset Shift Save Us From Climate Change?
Carom’s methodology assesses key ways circular thinking can disrupt our current economy.
The Reality
We have only one planet, Earth, and its resources are finite. For too long, businesses have exploited these resources for profit, leading to biodiversity loss, pollution, a plastics crisis, and climate change. These environmental issues are primarily driven by human economic activity.
It’s clear that we’ve reached a critical point—change is essential. The most impactful way to address these crises is by reducing the production of harmful, wasteful goods. Consuming less and making better choices when we do buy can create a profound shift.
Here’s a framework to guide more sustainable economic decisions.
What’s being offered? Before purchasing, ask yourself: What is this product or service? Does it align with my values and needs? Avoid items that contribute to excessive consumption.
Consider its ‘why.’ Reflect on the purpose of the item. Does it fulfill a genuine human or planetary need, or is it simply adding to unnecessary consumption?
How is it used? Think about how the product will be used and for how long. Will it serve its purpose efficiently and sustainably? Prioritize items that offer long-term value.
End of life. Consider what happens when the product is no longer useful. Can it be recycled, reused, or disposed of safely without harming the environment? Products designed with circularity in mind—those that can be repaired, repurposed, or composted—help reduce waste.
Embracing Circular Thinking
Circular thinking reimagines our approach to production and consumption. Instead of the traditional “take, make, dispose” model, a circular economy aims to maximize resource use and minimize waste. This mindset shift can have far-reaching benefits:
For individuals: Buying fewer, higher-quality products saves money in the long run and reduces clutter.
For businesses: Designing products that are durable, repairable, and recyclable builds consumer trust and enhances brand reputation.
For the planet: Reducing resource extraction and waste helps preserve ecosystems, combat climate change, and protect biodiversity.
Practical Steps Toward Sustainable Choices
Prioritize quality over quantity: Choose products that are built to last, even if they come with a higher upfront cost.
Support sustainable brands: Look for companies that prioritize renewable materials, ethical sourcing, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.
Think about longevity: Opt for items that can be repaired or upgraded rather than replaced.
Consider second-hand options: Buying used items extends their lifespan and reduces demand for new production.
Dispose responsibly: Recycle, compost, or donate items you no longer need to keep them out of landfills.
What is the impact of having a circular mindset?
A circular mindset builds the problem-solving framework for issues such as climate change or a shift from linear to circular systems. If individuals can have a more planet-friendly mindset, the result will be a more planet-friendly community. The impact of a sustainable community would be that the community's actions will not diminish social opportunities and the health of the ecosystem, and there will be an integral resilience against social or ecological shocks such as a pandemic or global disaster. This type of mindset shift does not only consider the now but also the future of the planet and its inhabitants.
Here are some examples of how sustainable thinking can help communities move towards sustainability:
Looking at the bigger picture
By considering the motivations behind information sources, political organizations, social groups, or corporations, one can develop their own conclusions about whether they are working towards sustainability or personal gain. By analyzing the facts and evidence presented, critical thinking will help individuals come up with their own conclusions rather than agree with what is being claimed. Here, it is important to ask big questions such as how is this product sourced? Is this company creating ethical working conditions for its employees? Or, can I believe the eco-friendly claims made by this business?
Considering the perspectives and experiences of others
Individualism has created a society that struggles to relate to others. Sustainability encompasses all communities, and by taking the step to collective thinking, the possibility for sustainability becomes possible by expanding our concerns and actions to include our global society. Sustainable thinking considers the impacts of our actions not only in our homes but on the inhabitants of other countries as well. The easy access to luxuries or disposable products may come at a cost to other communities that are being expropriated through labor or resources. By considering the experiences of others, one can employ circular thinking to critique one's purchases or actions.
Examining how social issues relate to different communities
Politics are the relations between the people living in society. When laws and constitutions protect one community but shun the other, there is a vast impact on the standard of living for the outcasted community. Inclusion is at the forefront of sustainability. By examining how social issues relate to people outside of your community, one has the ability to question and rectify where these laws do not prioritize the rights of others and their access to resources.
Our Mission
Transforming business models to build a regenerative future.
At Carom, we focus on:
Planet-friendly practices: Protecting natural resources and prioritizing long-term sustainability.
Circular systems: Maximizing resource use, promoting reuse, and minimizing waste.
Restorative principles: Rebuilding and regenerating ecosystems and habitats.