Green dating: Here's how you can practise sustainability with your loved one

With global warming becoming a lived reality climate consciousness is trickling into our dating lives too According to a survey by dating app Quack Quack on the relevance of the environment in finding romantic partners 21 per cent of the people from tier 1 cities between 18 and 24 mentioned that being ldquoenvironmentally wokerdquo is a desirable attribute Meanwhile daters between 25 and 30 from Tier 1 cities shared that dating someone ignorant about climate change ldquois out of the questionrdquo Similarly ldquoenvironmentalismrdquo is ranked as one of the most popular valueinterest badges among Indian profiles on womenfirst dating app Bumble which noted an uptick in green dating mdash a phenomenon rooted in making ecoconscious decisions while exploring romantic partnershipsParticipants at a nature trail organised by PremaCultureItrsquos not just singles whose environmentfriendly decisions are creating a buzz Recently a team of researchers led by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication at the Yale School of the Environment discovered that ldquotherersquos potential for partners to influence each other through conversations on climate changerdquo The researchers surveyed 758 romantic couples to determine the extent to which they understood and were aligned to each otherrsquos ideas on climate changeGeetika AroraClear conversationsIf two people who are romantically together are aligned about their values towards the environment they can create a better impact through their actions believes Geetika Arora a mindfulnessbased counselor and cofounder of conscious dating service PremaCulture Arora admits that people are becoming increasingly aware about conserving nature This consciousness is also affecting spaces where one seeks romantic partnerships An individualrsquos approach to sustainability plays an important role in not just their life but also in building relationships with others ldquoI think itrsquos an important conversation to be had among people seeking companionship because itrsquos really a question of core values Climate consciousness can change a lot in onersquos lifestyle For instance how many dresses do I really need whether I drink coconut water from a bottle or from the nariyal pani wala if I carry a cloth bag to the market or accept plastic ones or if it bothers me to walk instead of taking a taxirdquo she explainsFirst match with yourselfBefore connecting with a prospective match or onersquos partner about sustainability you should be clear about your own principles Arora reminds us ldquoWhat is your understanding of sustainability How much are you willing to put in Figure out your own values and nonnegotiables firstuprdquo she elaborates Be accepting of your own choices and then communicate that to your partner or dateA green dateThe surge in conversations on the environment and people looking for ways to connect with nature after being homebound for more than two years has led to daters looking for outdoor dates data from Bumble and Tinder revealed In fact services like PremaCulture offer singles mindfulness and naturebased meetups and retreats such as forest trails ldquoNature plays an integral part in bringing people together as well as helping one feel more connected to themselves When yoursquore feeling more grounded yoursquore more open to meeting othersrdquo Arora says sharing a few tips for green dates Go on a walk be it in an unexplored neighbourhood or in a forest Learn something new together Get creatively green Explore how you can cook for each other with lesser environmental impact for instanceKrutika ChauhanA matter of valuesFor Krutika Chauhan a social media manager being vegan is not just a call she took because of her love for animals but also because itrsquos less impactful on the planet While looking out for matches she prefers to consider partners who are environmentally conscious Chauhan who has used Bumble says that putting out badges or interests like environmentalism or veganism helps her connect with likeminded folks ldquoA person might not be aligned 100 per cent but if they arenrsquot mindful towards the environment itrsquos a big turnoffrdquo she sharesKunal Motling and Laxmi Iyer Motling with their cat Newton at Bhandup pumping stationA couple of changesA mutual love for the environment connects Thanebased couple Laxmi Iyer Motling and Kunal Motling Laxmi is a regional manager at NGO Khushii and works with kids from lower economic backgrounds while Kunal is a social worker and mime artiste who works with children under care and protection and kids with disabilities ldquoFor us sustainability is more than just about our own lifestyles itrsquos also about inspiring that consciousness among kidsrdquo Laxmi tells us The duo who have been together for eight years are also supporters of the Save Aarey movement While Laxmi sensitises children about the issue to get through to their parents Kunal uses his art to create awareness In their daily lives too they try to reduce wastage and adopt a sustainable approach mdash be it through thrifting clothes shopping only when absolutely necessary or looking for hempbased products for themselves and their cat Newton or opting for public transport Their advice for couples keen to take the green plunge If either of the partners is a firsttimer then run them through the process Do not force it on them Take the conversation slow donrsquot get upset if they take time to cope Read up well about your purchases be it electronics clothing cosmetics or food Donrsquot look at shelf life also check the process and the damage it might cause to your surroundings Support locals and tribal communities as all their produce is made through ageold sustainable methods Itrsquos okay to repeat clothes Look out for thrift stores they are easy on the pocket and the environment Do not discard clothes or any other item that can be reused or repurposed