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Hi! My name is Mira! I have been trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle for a few years now. And if you have ever tried it, you know how hard it can be.

But I truly believe the first step towards creating less waste is being well-informed on the subject, and being aware of the specific issues and problems. So I started researching online and sometimes the information could be truly overwhelming and rather gloomy. After I would spend some time reading, I would have no willpower to live, let alone take any action whatsoever. The other issue was the depressing manner in which a big part of the information was presented, so it didn't seem likely that anyone would want to share it with their friends or family in order not to ruin their day as well.

You can find my previous post about my zero waste comics by clicking here.

More info: Instagram | patreon.com | Etsy | Facebook | awareanimals.com

So I said to myself—what if there was a way to represent useful information about climate change, sustainability, and the environment in a funny, colorful, and most of all accessible way? An approach that focuses on solutions, rather than problems. So that people will hopefully laugh, learn something new, and pass it along.

And that's how the Aware Animals webcomics were created. Every week I draw a different situation. Whether it's dealing with mountains of non-recyclable wrapping paper and paper bills, wanting to pack a waste-free lunch, buying second-hand clothes for environmental reasons, refusing a plastic grocery bag at the store, turning down plastic straws over and over again, or trying to repair broken items to prevent them from going to a landfill—the possibilities of new and exciting topics are endless.

#3

Trends

Trends

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brokenapollo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually didn't know this. Did some additional research and will be more aware from now on. You've enlightened at least one person today..!

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Most of the situations have happened either to me or to my super-supportive partner (you can probably recognize us as Mr. and Miss Fox) and others have been shared or suggested to us by our lovely community on social media.

My favorite part about this process is how much I learn from it myself: once while I do my research and then again from the lovely comments and lively discussions when the comics have been posted. I'm constantly overwhelmed by the positive feedback we've received and very, very grateful. Our main message is that no action is too small to make a difference and that positivity and awareness will bring us further along than guilt or blame. So if you need more awareness in your life, feel free to join us on our journey.

#4

The Bet

The Bet

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C Hypercube
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell that to my two Philips LED light bulbs that broke after 3 months. I've replaced them with generic LED bulbs that still work after 3 years or so. I haven't purchased any Philips since. On the other hand, up to a certain price, indeed quality is reflected by the price. My grandfather said "we're too poor to afford buying cheap things"...but that was in the old times when the world wasn't run by marketing and corporate brand CEO's and managers that need to buy a third or fourth mansion/yacht/car for themselves.

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Something
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're poor, though, you might not have the $15 and then you don't get to make decisions with the long run in mind.

Kay blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The world is really set up for those who have money. If you need to pay for something in installments then you pay more than someone who pays up front. You are also made to feel guilty for buying the cheaper, less environmentally friendly product because you don't have the money to buy the more sustainable resource in one go.

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Adrienne Early
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is kinda 50/50. I've spent a pretty penny on some "high quality" things and have them break right after warranty. I've bought some cheap things that lasted a good long time. They just need to make seeing "reviews" easier when you go to the store lol

Laugh or not
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More expensive doesn't mean better quality. Very often it means more marketing, a brand name and more packaging.

René Kok
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Search for "dubai led lights" these lamps run on half power making them last much longer.

Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It reminds me of Sam Vimes' boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness.

Gyro Pilot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The poor person cannot afford to pay 3x, which is why sustainability is often the preserve of wealthy

TheNerdyDuck
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it’s cheaper, it might not work as well (or it could be the most amazing thing in the world)

Catherine Spencer-Mills
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strictly speaking, all light bulbs will fail. Some will fail sooner that others - LED is longest lasting and the comic does not specify except for Filament type. They all have variable fail rates and it is perfectly possible to have an outlier of that type that apparently lasts darn near forever.

Caroline Driver
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since we changed to led light bulbs we haven't had to change a single one, for years. I remember bulbs always popping

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#7

My Sustainable Bag

My Sustainable Bag

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Amaranthim Talon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup! Carry bags- preferably canvas! to the shops. reusables straws at home. No disposable utensils, plates, etc.

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#11

Shocking Fact

Shocking Fact

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#14

The Greatest Invention

The Greatest Invention

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#16

My Sustainable Kitchen

My Sustainable Kitchen

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F. H.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all a matter of perspective. I have a plastic dish brush I have been using for ten years now. When it gets to dirty, I put it in the dishwasher. How long does a wooden one last. Also, coffee filtered through paper is more healthy according to recent studies.

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#17

The Specialist

The Specialist

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ADHORTATOR
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We plan our meals, so shopping for the week is done in less than two hours and nothing is wasted

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#19

It's A System

It's A System

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Ole Peder Amrud Hagen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is this relevant to consuming less? Also, it is the most ridiculous way of organizing books I ever see...

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#20

6 Things You Can Do To Be Happier

6 Things You Can Do To Be Happier

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cookie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sono una volpe means "i am a fox" in italian, in case anyone was wondering.

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#21

The List

The List

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Kendra Miller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this is why grocery stores put staples at the back and periodically move stuff around, so you will have to search to find what you need and hopefully (for them) find more than you wanted.

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#23

My Sustainable Bathroom

My Sustainable Bathroom

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Kendra Miller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ear swaps should be struck from this list. Even if they feel great, they are terrible for actually removing earwax. Earwax exists to keep our keep our inner ears moistened so the skin doesn't dry and crack, as well as creating an acidic environment so bacteria can't survive. Your ears naturally clean themselves by using the motion of your jaw when talking and eating to shift older wax out. When you use ear swabs it shoves the wax deep into the ear and it gets stuck. Stop using ear swabs no matter if they are reusable or not.

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#30

Jack-O-Lantern

Jack-O-Lantern

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