20 August: the day in 2013 when humanity exceeded the yearly ecological limits of the planet. Over consumption and the challenges tackling it threaded through all of our most popular content on the sustainable living hub this year.
Unintended consequences, the complexities of human behaviour and emotional as opposed to rational approaches to change also featured strongly.
Remind yourself of our most powerful stories about the way we our lives and how to make sustainable lifestyles the norm with our top 5 stories:
1.'Every little helps' is a dangerous mantra for climate change
Plastic bag charges may seem a step forward but nudging will never address climate change; a fundamentally different system is needed
2. Is sustainability a dangerous myth fuelling over consumption?
Our pursuit of constant growth can never be sustainable. Instead, we must deconstruct our consumer society to consume less
3. The conundrum at the heart of sustainability
Feelings of disconnection from the planet and its problems are preventing people from investing in change
4. Understanding human behaviour: taking a more complex approach
Large-scale surveys are useful but if we are serious about changing behaviours, we must use every tool to understand human complexity
5. The art of sustainability: imagination, not spreadsheets will create change
A rational, data-driven approach won't be sufficient to drive a sustainable future. We need more emotional engagement
Get involved!
Let us know your favourite sustainable living content from 2013 - was there a piece that you feel has a particularly strong message or gave you a fresh perspective? Did you find one article especially useful professionally? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @GuardianSustBiz.
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