We all live in this fast-paced and ever-changing world, facing the environmental problems that erode our home, the Earth. The topic of this article is an ancient philosophy, a concept that has been around for two and a half millennia, which may offer us a new way of thinking. This is 'Wu Wei' from the ancient Chinese classic 'Dao De Jing'. It insightfully explores the laws of nature and proposes the concept of 'Wu Wei,' or 'non-action.' 'Non-action' signifies adhering to the underlying rules of things, rather than attempting to forcibly change them. It's not just a thought, but a way of acting, a strategy to respond to environmental issues. We will explore how this concept guides us to make more environmentally friendly choices and how to protect our planet through less consumption. 
Skyscrapers rise up and fancy cars race past on the streets. People walk in the hustle and bustle of the streets and rush into the neon-lit restaurants and cafes after work. Behind the bustle, however, is a devastated natural environment.
Rivers have been clogged with waste water from heavy industry and discarded garbage. Their once surging beds now filled with plastic bottles and abandoned shoes. Forests were cut down; the once lush mountains have now visibly become bald, leaving only patches of blank spaces, as if the Earth's scalp has been shaved clean.
Grasslands have been leveled for coal power plants and oil extraction facilities. Large area of pristine grasslands were ruthlessly turned into industrial facilities. Animals have nowhere to go, the balance of nature has been disrupted, leading to serious threats to biodiversity.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the planet, temperatures exceeding the historical average are causing glaciers in the Antarctic and the Arctic to continuously melt, causing sea levels to rise continuously. Island nations and coastal cities face the threat of being submerged by sea water, and the storms each year are becoming more ferocious.
What should we do to address the increasingly severe environmental issues?
Revisiting the Dao De Jing, we can take wisdom from 'non-action' to address our current issues. It valued well-timed action, yet emphasized the importance of 'non-action'. In terms of environment, this message rings especially true. Human activities have risked our planet - from constant hustle, consumption, and desire. In our current consumerist society, we are often told that we need to buy more and newer products, from new electronics to fashionable clothing. However, for environmental reasons, we should probably think about whether we really need to buy these new products. If our old products are still working fine and we are happy with them, do we really need to update them?
Applying the concept of "Wu Wei" or "non-action" here means that even though we have the ability to purchase new products, we choose not to. This calls to mind a profound saying from Lao Tzu, "1.So whoever is content with contentment shall always be content.(知足之足恒足矣)". By finding contentment in what we already have instead of in constant consumption. This is not doing nothing, but rather choosing a form of inaction. By refraining from purchasing new products, we are saving resources and reducing potential waste. Moreover, we can apply this philosophy by not creating consumer needs, which in turn decreases potential harm to the environment. This might mean less demand for products, thus reducing pressure on resources and the environment.
On the other hand, even well-intended actions can overlook the potential consequences. For example, the debate over canvas totes versus plastic bags illustrates the complexities of our choices. However, the production of cotton bags also generates a significant amount of carbon dioxide, therefore, they need to be used 20,000 times to offset this.
But instead of despairing, we should reflect on these complexities, understanding the interconnectedness of all things.
So we should live simply. As Lao Tzu said, we can often achieve more by doing less, causing no harm in our inaction. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
1."So whoever is content with contentment shall always be content.（知足之足恒足矣）" can be found in "Dao De Jing: English and Chinese Recitation Version" by Colin Wu, in Chapter 9, pages 26-27.