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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.

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    #3

    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.

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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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    #8

    Valentine's Day

    Valentine's Day

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

    yes, and apparently, we are going to run out of it--I can't remember the year

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

    A lot of people do a balloon release in memory of someone they have lost, it always makes me cringe thinking of where the balloons will end up. I would never say anything because people have to grieve in their own way but I have left strict instructions that when I die no balloons or Chinese lanterns are to be released.

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

    Thank you Kay. I always feel upset about those balloon releases, but I only saw it on TV so no-one knew it bothered me. Now I need to make sure my family don't do this when I go. I dislike Chinese lanterns because of the fire risk as well.

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

    Two years ago my colleagues prepared a surprise for me at the office. They have put balloons and other cute stuff. One of the balloons stayed for a really long time deflated on the gound in the office (my colleague just decided to keep it). One day I accidentally stepped on it and I was shocked how it cracked under my foot and turned into (almost) dust. This is so great!

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

    Yep balloons suck.. one day my the staff of my office decided to launch 60 balloons for the bosses birtday.. couldn´t get them not too..sad.

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

    Yes!! Balloons make me so angry. Disgusting wasteful destructive abominations. I'm being serious. People throw parties in my local park and I find balloon bits all over the trails. F*****s. Sorry. I hate balloons.

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

    Happy valentine's day, my love: I give you a sustainable inflated pig's bladder

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

    I wish we could read Mira Petrova's comment that was deleted. (unless she chose to delete it herself).

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

    I am like that, too... And people call me a party-pooper. But why wasting money and materials on literal useless trash?

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

    Let's not forget about the existence of eco-friendly baloons made from biodegradable materials. But yeah, I prefer chocolate too. ♡

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

    Biodegradable balloons still take YEARS to decompose. Plenty of time to maim and kill wildlife.

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

    the saddest part is when they end up in the throat of a turtle

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

    And so many balloon strings get caught up with the wildlife...especially those Chinese lanterns😞

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

    This never actually happened :) But sometimes we imagine we put ourselves in different situation to try and make them funnier or more interesting. Don't worry I would never be so ungrateful to my boyfriend and I don't think he would be with me if I was :D

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

    You're an adult! Use flower or chocolate like normal people

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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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