Small Changes, Big Impact: A Guide to Simple Sustainability in Our South London Community

Since I have moved to this country I have always lived south of the river. And I love it!

The south has a bit of a reputation to be somewhat less representative of London, maybe because there are less tube stations, less big shopping brands, less corporations and less tourists.

But, let's be honest, this is why we secretly love it!

We love our bike rides in Tooting Common, browsing for fresh fruit in Brixton Market, being inebriated by the fragrant smells in Peckham Rye, strolling around Battersea Park, searching for memorabilia at the quirky second hand market in Depford, admiring the view from Crystal Palace, and so on.

Thanks, maybe, to the fact that the tube is less present here, and so are the tourist, South London seems more real, and rooted and peaceful. Or at least that's what we think.

However, London is still a metropolis, with a quick pace, often long hours, and an array of products, cars, shops and consumeristic trends that make it easy to feel a bit disconnected from a slower, more intentional and sustainable life.

Here at Southstainable, we are on a journey to grow a sustainable community in our beloved urban London.

Yes, not a community not based on green fashions, expensive "eco-friendly" trends or rules that make us feel disconnected from our inner roots.

Instead, we want to promote a community that sustains ourselves, our city and the planet by being compassionate, inclusive and attainable.

The good news is that creating such a community and having a positive impact is not complicated at all!

Here are then some easy, inclusive and actionable ways you can contribute to growing a sustainable community right here in South London.

Reconnect with your roots

When is the last time you made bread at home?

That you cooked that meal that your grandma used to make for you?

That you went to see that friend at the cafe where you met for the first time?

Sustainability (or, as we call it here down south, Southstainability) is feeling part of one big family, taking care of each other and thus taking care of the place we live.

A wholesome way to do that is to return back to original and appreciate where we come from and the stories of our lives.

Reconnect with your local cafe, your community centre, your book club, your local pub, with the places that makes you feel part of a family.

And what about shopping like our ancestors use to do, buying seasonal product, touching the fruits to see if they are matured, bringing their own bag (few plastic back then!), cooking double portions because someone from the family might come later?

We have some many traditions that are already sustainable even without labelling them, because in the past we didn't even think about the needs to repair our planet and society!

Reconnect with our roots and we will be already one step ahead in our sustainability journey

Explore your neighborhood

We love cycling and we take all the chance we have to cycle around London, especially near the commons and parks.

Often though, the places we like most are the little narrow street we have never passed before, or the tiny random cafe we found in places we've never noticed before.

It gives us a magical sensation realising that, even if we have done the same road many times, there might be something new to see.

What does this have to do with sustainability?

Well, knowing our neighbourhood can make our lives more enjoyable, and save us time and money too!

For example, at the beginning of my sustainability journey, I spent a lot of time going to a zero waste shop that was far and not even so cheap.

Until eventually I found out that at a nearer shop they were selling some of those product for cheaper and equally sustainably.

One of the most important tips we can give for spending less and wasting less, is indeed to explore around and make memories of where to buy what.

Often some shops and supermarket sell the same products at different prices, or they have more sustainable options that our usual shopping spots.

Believe us, knowing that I can buy a bag of coffee half the price at the deli in Streatham Hill station instead of the nearer Sainsburys has saved us A LOT of time and money.

Learn from your community

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the wealth of knowledge and inspiration that surrounds us in our own communities.

One of the most important things we can do to be more sustainable in our community is to learn from each others.

Learning from your neighbours can enrich your life and foster a deeper sense of connection, and if you are reading this from South London, you would agree that here there's a tapestry of experiences and wisdom just waiting to be discovered!

Few days ago we watched a Jamaican street cooker washing a lots of dishes by placing them in a gigantic pot full of water, as there was no sink. I thought how smart it was, this method, and how much water that was saving.

And then I remembered my grandma used to do the same and that we had lost yet another easy trick from the past.

Some weeks ago I even spotted a flyer at Tesco in Acre Lane where someone was offering guitar lessons FOR FREE in exchange for some passionate fellow musicians willing to play together.

What an amazing occasion is that?

Whether it's a small business owner with a passion for sustainable living or a local artist willing to share knowledge and talent, there's much to learn from those around us.

Initiate conversations, attend local workshops, join community clubs and tap into the skills and knowledge of your neighbours.

By sharing knowledge and experiences, we can create a more informed and engaged community that is better equipped to make more informed choices, sustain our inner souls and (re)discover hidden talents and passions that inspire our own personal and professional growth.

Knowledge is Local

Cities and urban lifestyles often emphasises global trends, consumerism and fast-paced living. However, a smaller scale, slower and mindful life is possible and achievable by connecting with our local communities.

And connecting with ourselves and the place we live is the starting point of any sustainable journey.

It is much easier to sustain ourselves if we feel sustained by and connected to a group, a family, a community.

By reconnecting with ourselves, discovering the places we live in and learning from our communities, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to building the foundations for a long-term sustainable world.

So, take out that recipe book that your auntie gifted you ten years ago, take a stroll through your local park, strike up a conversation with a neighbour, and embrace the opportunities to learn and grow from the community that surrounds you.

After all, some of life's most valuable lessons are right at our doorsteps.