Systems thinking should become one of the number one approaches to solving societal challenges. It’s a problem-solving approach that looks at a system as a whole. Making sense of the complexity in our world is not an easy task, but mastering the principles of systems thinking can bring us one step closer to achieving sustainable goals. Rather than isolating parts of a system (like linear thinking does), systems thinking is the ability to understand systems as a whole and the dependent relationships. With systems thinking, we have a much better chance to find the solutions which fit.

Make A Meaningful Impact is an interview series about people – like you and me – who make a difference in our world. All of us are deeply concerned with the state of the world, but we cannot solve the world’s challenges ourselves. Therefore, I created the series Make A Meaningful Impact, where I invite different people to an interview to show us what they do to make our extraordinary world a livable and enjoyable home. They found their journey and role in contributing to a better future – a future to look forward to.

In view of the many crises we need to overcome, it can feel quite daunting. Too many think they do not have enough of what it takes to make our world sustainable. It might be true because they think in a way that does not encourage action. Thinking differently has been frowned upon for too long. But that’s what we need: the diverse capabilities of all human brains. Sustainability thinking can become a successful pathway to deal with environmental issues, social unrest and economic collapse. A sustainable future depends on the way you imagine it. Make the most out of it!

Trends come and go. But Sustainability trends will have a lasting impact on our societies and the planet. Finding new ways of meeting basic human needs is a prevalent red thread. Citizens become increasingly more aware of bad practices which result in pollution, global warming, biodiversity loss, social injustice etc. Governments as well as industries are experiencing waves of pressure from citizens who are fed up with bad leadership. We all have our contributions to make and luckily, a lot of awesome global citizens have figured out different solutions to tackle humanity’s most pressing challenges. The following Sustainability trends will give you an idea in which direction we are heading. You’re more than welcome to join us!

Can we find solutions to our manifold global crises? Nowadays, ideas about sustainability are more prevalent. Many people deal with sustainability issues and share them with the world. Sustainability is still a confusing term. Therefore, I want to present my top 3 sustainability TED Talks in this article. Those influential videos entail valuable information for you to embark on or continue your sustainability journey. In a short time, you can gain the AHA moment you need to create the change you want to see in our world. Sceptic? Then see it yourself by diving into the sustainable world of three wonderful people!

Nowadays, valid proof is more important than anything. It’s tough to avoid polarising messages as they seem to creep around every corner. Therefore, it’s essential to look at how you perceive the world. From questioning your thinking patterns to considering other people’s perspectives, there are many ways to challenge your assumptions. Those skills help you understand the world a little better and find the reasoning in a conflict-centred world. It’s not easy, but definitely worth your time to deal with how you perceive the world. I want to show you an easy shortcut you can apply every day. Enjoy!

The Triple Bottom Line is a famous framework that incorporates three dimensions for sustainable decision-making: social, environmental and economic. It’s mostly used to measure sustainable business performance, but it can be applied anytime a decision has to be made. For too long has the economic dimension been at the centre of attention leading to exploitation of the social and environmental dimensions. The Triple Bottom Line encourages us to look beyond the traditional bottom line of business profit and make decisions that are socially and environmentally responsible. Sustainable development can only happen if we find the right balance between the three dimensions which benefit all of us.

Safe and natural cleaning methods benefit your health, the environment and your bank account. Eco-friendly cleaning products and methods are part of sustainable living strategies aiming at reducing the harm caused to the planet and you. Moreover, sometimes simplicity beats the chemical cocktail mix under your sink. Thus I added well-tried recipes for DIY cleaning products (all-natural and cheap) to this article. But what would a clean home be without freshness? Particularly, city apartments tend to accumulate all the outside smells. Do not worry. There are easy tips to freshen up your urban home without nasty chemicals.

Sustainable development requires societal change and societal change starts with us. If we actively decide to evolve and expand our current knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, we have the chance to become the change we want to see in the world. Moreover, we need to take action with respect to real-world sustainability problems. An effective way to make a difference is to learn about the key competencies in sustainability. Those competencies create a nurturing ground where we can build the future we want. Instead of being a passive citizen, you can become engaged and empowered. Sometimes this can be as easy as expanding your competencies.

The global financial system relies on growing consumption to sustain an ever-expanding economy on a planet with finite resources. Money is not only an exchange medium to buy the things you need or want. Every time you purchase a product or service, you vote. Unfortunately, most purchasing decisions contribute to the further destruction of the environment and exploitation of people. Financial literacy is now a crucial skill for making purchase decisions that can make a difference. Use your purchasing power to do good – for you, the planet and your bank account. It is easy, I will show you how!