The circular economy is the most important change factor for sustainable development because our consumption habits are unsustainable. The circular economy is a future model where products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible. With the circular economy model, we could strengthen natural diversity and prevent climate crisis. And I believe that this could be the easiest way for everyone to transit for a more sustainable lifestyle. It does not require huge investments for regular consumers, not like changing a heating system at home to a more ecological or fossil fuel-based car to an electric one, so everyone could make efforts. By little actions, little decisions consumers could make a significant impact to slow down climate change. These little actions can be for instance just to mention a few; recycling, renting products instead of buying them, buying from secondhand stores, and then repairing old products for them to last longer.
The opposite of the circular economy, the linear economy model has caused the amount of waste to increase radically, and its amount should be reduced to a minimum. The products of the linear model are purposely made so unsustainable that their life cycle is short, which forces consumers to buy new products at an increasingly faster pace. In a circular economy, the life cycle of products is significantly longer when products are utilized by borrowing, rehandling, repairing, and recycling. And finally, when the product reaches the end of its life cycle, the materials are utilized, which reduces the amount of waste.
World population growth and irrational overconsumption increase the demand for raw materials for products, but natural resources are limited. In addition, the extraction of raw materials has a significant impact on the environment, among other things, by increasing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
The transition to a circular economy in the food and agriculture sector would significantly reduce methane emissions from agriculture and free up agricultural land for biodiversity growth.
So innovative solutions to stop nature loss have already been developed, now all that is needed is everyone's contribution to a sustainable transition. It is difficult to change people's spending habits, but it is possible. An increase in the market prices of the linear economy is needed so that circular economy products have an equal chance of being popular. It should also be invested in new sustainable innovation companies and bold decisions.