“go greener”: get a picture of what it could be like!

Sustainability is one of the megatrends of our time. The increasingly obvious consequences of climate change, as well as rising energy costs, are forcing a change of course in politics, business and society. It is about saving energy and becoming aware of the effects of our lifestyle on the ecological structure of the world. Of course, this issue is not only important for industry as one of the biggest polluters. Sustainability is a task for society as a whole, and it is certainly not just a challenge for business leaders and the government, but for all of us!

At the heart of the matter is the question of what each and every one of us can and must do to ensure that the foundations of life are preserved for future generations. An admittedly uncomfortable question: in a consumer society fixated on growth, saving energy sounds pretty unsexy at first. Because it sounds like restrictions and sacrifice, like “less” instead of always “more”. The sometimes heated discussions show just how emotionally charged the topic is for many people.
But beyond all the polemics from one side or the other, it is by no means about “returning to the trees”. It’s about becoming aware as an individual of the ecological footprint you leave behind and how it comes about – and then considering whether you can make a contribution to greater sustainability by changing a few habits. After all, habits are often nothing more than imaginary necessities that are easier to say goodbye to than you might think.

© Left: Eva Blanco/Westend61 , Right: © Nicole Matthews/Westend61

You will often find that less actually means more. This is because in your own home, but also in your personal life routines, there are an unimagined number of opportunities to behave in an environmentally friendly and resource-saving way. This is not only good for the climate, but sometimes also for your wallet! Using a bicycle or public transport instead of a car is just one example of many.
But it’s also about setting a good example without pointing fingers and being bossy, for example by avoiding waste or saving electricity. The more people make sustainable behavior part of their lifestyle as a matter of course, the greater the copycat effect will be. This applies first and foremost to parents who teach their children that not everything is available in unlimited quantities, but also in all other areas of social life.

© Left: Kiko Jimenez/Westend61 , Right: © Roger Richter/Westend61

So let’s just imagine where we can turn one or two screws in our own lives in the direction of environmental awareness – without it really hurting! As small as such a change in behavior may seem, it will make a big difference if as many people as possible join in.
We at Westend61 would like to give this idea of a more climate-friendly future a helping hand with our pictures on the subject of sustainability. Firstly, we feel a responsibility as a company, but secondly, we also believe that there is and will continue to be a great need for images on the subject of sustainability.
After all, images will play an important role on the path to an ecologically responsible future – we humans are primarily visual beings. This is used in corporate communications, for example, when promoting sustainable concepts and products. Sustainability has long since become an important element of a company’s positive external image: This signals a sense of responsibility and trustworthiness in the competition for an increasingly value-oriented clientele.
Don’t worry: we don’t have to sell the car or pull the oil heating out of the cellar right now. But let’s just take a look at how we could live a little more environmentally consciously. And what better way to do that than with good images that show that sustainability can be smart and attractive? We at Westend61 have these images in a wide variety of facets and for a wide variety of purposes. They show: Living in better harmony with nature is possible – and can even be fun!