Our environment, and its inhabitants, are often overlooked in our society. Our planet has been suffering more and more due to how fast-paced and technologically advanced our society has become, and if we do not take action now the consequences could be dire.

Being an average citizen, like myself, there is only so much we can do to fulfill our part. But, referring to one of my favorite quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien, "It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay."

Our world's environment could be in a much better condition if everybody made small changes in their lifestyles. I'll list a few effective things any ordinary person can do that could make a difference in the long-run.

1. Consume less meat.

Cutting the demand for animals being bred for consumption helps lower the amount of methane gasses being produced.

2. Use a reusable water bottle.

Using a reusable water bottle diminishes waste, minimizes pollution, and conserves energy.

3. Walk as much as you can.

Let's face it...humans are lazy. I often will drive to campus, which is easily a 5-10 minute walk. If each of us tried to walk more, we could cut the dangerous amount of emissions we produce by a big amount.

These are three easy steps that any ordinary person should do in order to help better the environment. Although these steps seem insignificant, if everybody followed them, our planet would benefit greatly.