A conversation between mother Lucinda (53) and daughter Sky (16)
Interview
Two perspectives: two generations on sustainability
Lucinda lives quite frugally, while her daughter Sky goes out to dinner every week. And where Lucinda prefers to buy second-hand clothes, Sky regularly orders from big chains. How important is sustainability to both of these generations? A conversation about going green and your influence as an individual, using five statements. ‘I believe you’re making more of a difference than you think.’
Statement 1: Sustainability is a big part of my daily life.
Lucinda: ‘Absolutely. We are big on sustainability as a family. We don’t throw away food, take our own bags to the shops and separate our waste. We have our own vegetable garden, where we grow vegetables and herbs. We collect rainwater in barrels. Whenever possible, we take the bicycle instead of the car. And the other day, I was picking up cans in a car park. I always clean up rubbish out of a sense of responsibility.’
Sky: ‘Sustainability is not a topic I discuss at length with girlfriends. I do pay attention to small things, like returning plastic bottles and cans. On the other hand, I have no hesitation about flying. I just want to go on holiday and enjoy travelling by plane.’
Lucinda: ‘Flying, I think, is a tricky one. If the plane is going my way, I might as well hop on. And I also want some sun in the summer… Well, it’s a thorny issue.’
Lucinda: 'At Sky’s age, I didn’t even know the word “sustainability”'.
Because of Sky, my husband and I eat less meat. At the age of 12, Sky said she no longer wanted to eat animals. The first time, we were still thinking: what is this? But she argued her case well and explained that your body doesn’t necessarily need meat. After that, we were quickly convinced. Now we eat meat at most once a week. I like the fact that the younger generation can make you think. At their age, I didn’t even know the word “sustainability”.’
Sky: ‘I do it mainly because I feel sorry for the animals. They don’t need to die for me when I don’t even need meat to be healthy. I have two cats and I ride horses. That’s why I don’t eat horse meat. A cow is not so different, so why should I eat a cow? Or a pig?’
Lucinda: ‘I’m more into second-hand clothes than Sky. They’re also much more unique. But I don’t mind Sky buying fast fashion. Sometimes I do the same.’
‘I don’t want to forbid my children anything, and anyway she has the right mindset. On top of that, I don’t believe in being strict and forcing the issue. I live consciously and enjoy showing other people that sustainable living doesn’t have to be difficult. However, I don’t want to impose anything on another person. That only provokes resistance.’
Statement 2: Sustainability is more important to me than convenience.
Brief silence.
Sky, carefully: ‘In that case, I choose convenience. Maybe that’s a generational thing. If it rains, I can cycle into town, but I can also buy clothes online and then send them back if I don’t like them.’
Lucinda, laughing: ‘Isn’t she terrible? I like frugality, so I lean more towards sustainability than convenience. Maybe that has to do with my background. I grew up in South Africa during apartheid. We had little and had to be frugal with what we did have. That’s a big difference from Sky. By contrast, she spends money very easily.’
Sky: ‘Yes, I do go out to dinner every week, with girlfriends or with my sister. You guys really never go.’
Lucinda: ‘True! I think it’s a waste of my money.’
Sky: ‘You’d also rather be camping than me. I really don’t understand going somewhere less comfortable than home. I want my own shower and toilet. You go on holiday for comfort, right?’
Lucinda: ‘No! You go on holiday to experience new things and go on an adventure! I think a hostel is great, too.’
Who are Lucinda and Sky?
Lucinda (53) is an empowerment coach. She also writes books, such as the Lefwijf series, and is a public speaker. She specialises in women’s leadership. In addition, she recently took courses on happiness and meaning at US universities.
Sky (16) is a second-year Marketing & Communications student at a senior secondary vocational education institution in Deventer. She is also a sup (stand-up paddling, ed.) instructor at her sister Charmaine’s (30) sup school.
Statement 3: Sustainable is often also expensive.
Lucinda: ‘I think I save money precisely because I live consciously. I rarely replace my clothes and crockery. My phone is already eight years old – I only buy a new one when the current one is completely broken. And in winter we turn the heating very low, which also saves money. It can be rough at first, but you get used to it.’
Sky reflects. ‘If you eat less meat, you might compensate with nuts. They tend to be more expensive.’
Statement 4: It is important to me that my pension is invested sustainably.
Lucinda: ‘Yes, I think so. I only worked in salaried employment for about 12 years, so I didn’t accrue much pension through my employer. But I did set aside and invest money myself. I think companies should handle their employees’ money responsibly.
Sky: ‘I feel the same way. Companies must have the intention to change something and be transparent. I do want to know what they do with my money.’
Lucinda: ‘I totally agree! Companies have a social responsibility. Does everything have to be perfect tomorrow? No, that’s asking a bit much. As long as they make an effort.’
Statement 5: As an individual, you can make a big difference when it comes to sustainability.
Sky: ‘I think you have little influence on the bigger picture. I don’t eat meat, but so many people do. Is that enough to save a cow’s life? I don’t think so.’
Lucinda: ‘You inspired us to eat less meat, didn’t you?’
Sky: ‘Yes, but that’s about it.’
Lucinda: ‘I believe you’re making more of a difference than you think. I myself run our church’s cooking and catering team. That means I cook for a lot of people, but I rarely use meat. This, in turn, inspires them. “Is there no meat in this?”, they then say in amazement. Small things can make a big difference.’
Sky: ‘I do say something about it when girlfriends throw rubbish onto the street.’
Sky: ‘I do say something about it when girlfriends throw rubbish onto the street.’
Lucinda: ‘I love seeing how my children interact with their environment. Sky and her sister regularly clean the canal when out on their sup boards, using a rubbish bag and a litter picker. They also often organise clean-ups with companies that want to do something about sustainability.’
Sky: ‘It boggles the mind sometimes, the things that you find. The other day, someone had dumped an entire paper container into the canal. The municipality had to lift it out.’
Lucinda: ‘You say you make little difference, but in such a way you really do make an impact, I think.’
Sky: ‘Yes, perhaps you’re right. When girlfriends throw rubbish onto the street, I also say something about it. Then they know: we shouldn’t do that when Sky is there!’