I've been wanting to write an article about the environment for some time now, however, I haven't known where to start. A lot of people these days are sick of hearing about climate change or are sick of being told to recycle. National Geographic has a new campaign called "The People vs. Climate Change" and when I read the comments on the Facebook post which was asking people what they are doing to fight climate change, many of the comments made me frustrated, with people saying that climate change isn't real or that there's no point in saving our planet at this point. I think that everyone should be educated on the planet and our environment, but in the meantime here are a few easy ways that you can make even a small difference for our Earth!
1. Water Bottles
Enough plastic is thrown away each year to circle the Earth four times, and Americans throw away about 35 billion plastic water bottles a year. The amount of plastic that goes into the ocean each year could be lined up and reach halfway to Mars!!! That is crazy!!! How is this okay??? It's inevitable to get away from plastics, so much of the stuff we use or buy is plastic, even unnecessarily. This doesn't mean you always have to be adding to the waste, though. I carry a reusable water bottle with me everywhere I go, to the gym, to the cafe, in class, and fill it up to put next to my bed for the night. Plus, your coffee will be cheaper at Starbucks if you bring a reusable cup!
2. Recycle
This goes without saying, but you should be recycling whatever you can. I always remind my roommates to recycle their plastics, cardboard, and paper. It's too easy not to do!
3. Reusable Bags
At the grocery store, ask yourself if you really need a bag for what it is you're buying if it's too much to carry to your car yourself, invest a couple of dollars into a reusable shopping bag which can have cute puppies or cats on them :).
4. Carpool
Carpooling is a great way to reduce the amount of fuel that you use and emit into the atmosphere. Cities are actually a more resourceful way to reduce our carbon emissions from driving around because of public transportation and everywhere you need to go is so close. Another thing you can do in your car is to turn it off when you're parked!
5. Unplug
Unplug your phone or laptop charger when you're not using it, or any other cord that doesn't need to be plugged in. When something is plugged into an outlet it is conducting electricity even when it's not in use.
6. Save the Penguins
This one goes out to my guy friends in college (or high school), (or drinking legally), CUT UP THE PLASTIC RINGS FROM YOUR 6 PACK. You know what I'm talking about, the thing that got stuck around the penguins neck in Happy Feet. Before you toss out the leftover plastic, just take a second to rip it up so you can save some innocent turtles and penguins because sadly the plastic will most likely end up in the ocean.
7. Tupperware
Using Tupperware instead of plastic baggies or plastic wrap will significantly reduce the amount of plastic you're using. Also, since you're going to have to wash the Tupperware after each use any way you might as well use metal silverware instead of plastic! Reusable is always best. Even better; use glass jars instead of plastic Tupperware.
8. Buy Local
This one can be a little bit more difficult for students, but when you can you should always try to be local food and fruits that are in season in your area. Think about how much it costs to ship your favorite mangos north from Florida or other fruits from even Mexico. Also, buying local supports your whole community and the economy around you.
Switching your habits around and doing some of these things will make a change! Every little bit counts, it may not seem like much but it's the least we can do to try to save our beautiful planet that we need to live!
