Dr. Rajat Bhatt, Guest Writer
I have been following The White Coat Investor blog regularly for several years. During this time, I have built a portfolio nest egg and gained valuable wisdom. As I grew older, my investment goals changed. As physicians, we have a responsibility to the environment and must set an example of environmental stewardship for our patients and children.
Doctors play an important role in shaping society's mindset and are role models. Sustainable consumption should also be promoted by educating patients about the environmental impact.
Three words should be encouraged:
Please reflect on your activities over the past year. Whether it's ignoring coal-fired power and driving a luxury EV, taking a luxury cruise that pollutes fragile ecosystems, or buying unnecessary plastic products that end up in the ocean. We even need to look into our meat consumption and how it affects the ecosystem and how it contributes to climate change. We justify these as rewards for our hard work, but are unaware of the lasting results.
About 10 years ago, I developed both a financial plan and a social responsibility plan, outlining concrete changes I could make in my life to become better stewards of society. My first goal was to transition to a vegetarian diet. After watching the documentary “Food Inc.” I was so shocked by industrial farming that I stopped eating meat completely. I lost about 50 pounds over the next two years and have maintained the weight ever since. Over the years, I started eating healthier home-cooked meals more often (because most restaurants have limited vegetarian options), which created a positive feedback loop. I used to enjoy restaurants, but home-cooked meals bring me so much joy and keep me healthy.
My next goal was to reduce my plastic consumption. I use reusable bags and avoid single-use items. Replacing old pen refills has also reduced the frequency of pen replacements, as we do in other countries outside of the United States.
I used to be averse to new gadgets, but now I keep my devices as long as they work. The initial excitement wears off after a month.
As for cars, I had a Toyota Camry for 20 years and the wheels literally fell off so I'm selling it. My next car will be a reliable, low-emission hybrid.
Today's environmental crises, including climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, require swift action. By living more simply and mindfully, I realized that true happiness comes from life's small pleasures, nature, and meaningful giving, rather than the marketing-driven materialism of childhood.
I would like to continue to walk my own path based on my own values rather than outside influences. Similar to finances, a personal development plan ensures that we make the most of the limited time we have on this planet that we are so lucky to live on.
Become more environmentally responsible
Making change begins with a self-audit, looking inward through introspection and mindfulness. For example, are we really vacationing in far-flung, exotic locations to explore, or just to post on Instagram? Why do we drive luxury cars? Do we really enjoy it or is it an expression of competence and success?
As evidenced by ice core samples and atmospheric data, climate change is indisputable. To deny it is like those who played the violin while the Titanic was sinking, ignoring its impending collapse. If we choose to ignore them in the same way, our children will suffer the consequences. If we are saying that this is part of the Earth's natural cycles, it cannot be explained by the rate of change since the development of industry, or by carbon isotope data isolated from the atmosphere that has been linked to global warming. If we say this is a global academic conspiracy (as I heard from a doctor friend), then the oil companies have plenty of money to blow it away and it's still not happening. Is not …
Recycling is difficult because the Earth's finite resources are primarily non-renewable. Consumer data shows that most materials are never recycled.
The hard truth is that current consumption levels are completely unsustainable. A vast marketing machine fuels overconsumption, forcing us to constantly buy more than we need. However, our earth's resources are finite and cannot sustain our unbridled appetites.
As sentient beings, true happiness and fulfillment comes from within, not from external consumption. By practicing mindfulness and introspection, we gain the wisdom to see through the empty promises of materialism. When ecological consciousness is awakened, we realize the futility of excess.
As physicians who take an oath to do no harm to our patients, we must extend this same oath to the Earth and all of its inhabitants. Knowing this, here are the changes I made to my lifestyle.
connect with nature
Making time to enjoy parks and natural areas can be very rewarding. I now take regular walks around my neighborhood and carefully observe the seasonal changes in the trees, birds, and plants. Just being outdoors reduces stress and increases our appreciation for the environment that supports us.
simplicity at home
Reducing possessions and minimizing waste has created a calmer home life. Changes like composting, avoiding single-use plastics, and repairing and donating items have reduced my footprint. I use both sides of printer paper and only print when I need to. It feels good to live more simply. We live in a 3,000 square foot house, and I have found that the quality of my interactions with my young children is better sitting around the kitchen table than in an isolated room on another floor. I feel it.
health and welfare
Transitioning to an active, plant-based lifestyle has greatly benefited my health beyond weight loss. I had more energy, more resilience to illness, and more motivation to take care of myself through nutrition and exercise. Living consciously complements sustainable living.
bring about positive change
Some people have learned to value their habits by leading by example and discussing their choices with loved ones. Combined, our consumption reductions can benefit local communities. Sharing knowledge pays off because individual actions add up to make a meaningful difference.
continuous learning
I am obsessed with learning about environmental science and its solutions. I enjoy new innovations in renewable energy, architecture, chemistry, and more reported by leaders implementing positive change. Without reducing resource consumption, this alone will not work. Knowledge inspires greater care for our fragile planet.
space for reflection
Spending time in a nature reserve restores perspective. Sitting among the trees and enjoying the outdoors (or biking on the bayous around Houston) creates deep gratitude, connection, and wonder. It reignited my interest in the landscapes and sights that support all life. Nature heals and teaches.
However, here are some challenges I faced during my lifestyle change:
- forming habits: Breaking ingrained habits and forming sustainable new routines can be difficult, like remembering to bring a reusable bag or a travel mug. It took patience and time to keep changing.
- social pressure: Friends and family didn't necessarily understand lifestyle choices like a plant-based diet. Some social situations may require special planning.
- limited options: Especially in the early days, it can be frustrating to find vegan/low waste options when eating out or traveling. But the movement has grown.
- cost: Transitioning purchases of electronics, cars, household items, etc. to more sustainable options sometimes required high upfront costs (like my hybrid car). Toyota cars were in short supply, so we had to pay a premium for hybrid cars.
- Information overload: With so much information available, it has been difficult to distinguish high-quality sources from greenwashing and misinformation spread by certain industries.
- self-doubt: It was easy to question decisions and question one's own influence, such as whether individual efforts really matter next to global challenges. Continuous learning helped solve this problem.
- time constraints: Balancing work, family, and other priorities with lifestyle changes like gardening, cooking from scratch, and volunteering required a thorough schedule.
- separation:Some of my friends felt that the trust between us was weakening due to our different lifestyles, or that the changes were too preachy.
- policy flaws: Despite individual efforts, I was sometimes disappointed by the lack of organized action on the biggest issues, such as the climate.
Honestly sharing your challenges can help others on similar journeys feel less alone in their struggles. Overcoming obstacles required perseverance.
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Happiness Index: I needed my own retirement.
Ways to reduce overconsumption include:
- Brew your own coffee using fewer plastic pods.
- Eat out less and use reusable lunch containers.
- Become a vegetarian to minimize animal cruelty. (Climate-friendly beef isn't actually climate-friendly because it's based on an honor system and fees paid for certification rather than meeting strict targets. Regular beef and climate-friendly Beef has the same methane emissions and water usage. Greenwashing is a problem in the organic industry.)
- Avoid owning a boat due to its environmental impact and maintenance burden (choose a kayak instead).
The problem I'm working on
It can be difficult to find balance in certain areas and create feelings of guilt. For example, annual travel to India contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, but there are few alternatives. It is important not to get too caught up in guilt or self-doubt. To avoid internal conflicts, such efforts should be completely voluntary. It takes wisdom and time to be willing to pursue these actions without sacrificing pleasure.
The benefits of this migration are: Savings happen automatically, creating a positive feedback loop. If you spend less, you'll have more time and you'll automatically save money. I don't feel deprived. Still, money increases, so we must contribute more to society rather than using up our limited resources. But we face challenges like self-doubt and guilt, and I try to deal with them.
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The secret weapon is to spend less
Issues that cannot be changed currently
Unless policy changes occur, problems like packaged food are likely to persist. For example, the milk I give my children comes in plastic bottles. It gets thrown into the recycling bin, but it doesn't necessarily get completely recycled. Local dairy products are difficult to obtain in urban environments. Additionally, challenges arise regarding families and children. For example, my children use disposable plastic highlighters and school stationery, which are thrown away every year. Ideally, a reusable alternative exists. However, schools are very specific about what they want and don't have much say in things like refillable or non-drying highlighters.
Moreover, the annual family trip to Disneyland seems like a waste due to excessive marketing and toy consumption. I would like to reduce these parts, but doing so may take away the fun from the children.
We recently went on a cruise and felt it was necessary to maintain relationships and family. Some people may find joy in traveling, but it should not cause discord. The real fun comes from within, minus the influence of marketing. If you enjoy going to Vienna, please give it a try.But if it's an Instagram post, the person has to decide who will see it and what they really value
The Brahmanas of Vedic philosophy teach that we are inherently interconnected. By improving ourselves, we improve our shared world. Acquiring wealth comes with moral responsibility towards society and nature.
The path I have taken (and the path other physicians will take) requires patience, foresight, and letting go of attachment. But being a force for good comes with meaning. As stewards of vast resources, we must lead by example for our patients, families, communities and the planet we call home.
[Founder’s Note by Dr. Jim Dahle: Dr. Rajat Bhatt is an experienced, board-certified Rheumatologist in a private practice located in Houston. This article was submitted and approved according to our Guest Post Policy. We have no financial relationship.
Dr. Bhatt first approached me about this article months ago, and my first thought was, “Well this should make for an interesting comments section!” Long-term readers probably won’t be surprised given my outdoor interests (it’s not unusual for me to spend two months or more a year sleeping outdoors) that I have great sympathies with the environmental movement. I also find it interesting to see so much overlap between the financial independence movement and the environmental movement. The less you consume, the more you help the planet AND your pocketbook. In fact, our planet would be completely destroyed if everybody on it consumed in a manner that I, and most WCIers, can afford to do. Frugality IS environmentalism. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
However, I think the first response most people will have to a piece like this is to feel personally attacked and maybe even feel a need to attack back. “How dare you lecture me about my diesel-guzzling F-250 and seven boats when you go on cruises, give your kids milk, and fly to India every year!” Another common response is to consider the hypocrisy present in many parts of the environmental movement. “How interesting that you drove over here in your gas vehicle to protest this oil pipeline,” or, “You think whaling is evil but Chick-fil-A is fine?”
Sometimes we go fully philosophical: “Well, in 5 billion years, the sun will go out and the planet will be ruined anyway.” Or we resort to humor. I mean, who doesn’t call their 8-year-old a dolphin killer every time she drinks bottled water or point out that if God didn’t want us to eat animals, why did He make them out of meat?
I’m no fan of ESG investing (I think you and your favorite causes are better off just buying index funds and donating to the causes directly), but I am a big fan of this planet, and I think it is worthwhile to consider ways in which our choices can both improve the environment and our finances at the same time. Now if I could just convince myself that it is just as fun to eat vegetables and watch YouTube videos about other continents instead of going there myself I could preach the environmental word too without feeling so hypocritical.]
Do you think we need to reduce, reuse and recycle? What steps have you taken to do so? What else can we do to extend the lifespan of our planet? Comment below!
