With April being earth month it is important to consider what we can do for our planet. Listed below are seven things you can do to help the environment each week.
1.) Be Aware of Supply and Demand
The world runs on supply and demand. While you may think your individual consumer habits do not have any significant effect, over time, your lack of demand for environmentally unfriendly products will add up.
This is why our society has begun stressing the importance of using less plastic straws, plastic bags, napkins, coffee cups, and eating less meat. It all revolves around the idea of supply and demand. One person lowering their individual demand can actually make a change.
2.) Use Reusable water bottles
It is not a secret that plastic water bottles are not good for the environment. Plastic bottles take up to 700 years to dissolve and only 80% of plastic bottles are actually being recycled.
This is leading to major pollution in our ocean and overflow in our landfills. Reusable water bottles are a more environmentally friendly alternative. Not to mention, you can easily personalize reusable water bottles.
3.) Take Shorter Showers
Since we live right next to the Mississippi River, we may not always understand the importance of water; many other nations and even other parts of our country are in desperate need of water. If you are someone who takes 40 minute showers every day, try to cut them down to seven minutes this month. You may even consider asking your parents to donate this difference in your water bill to a charity like charity: water that donates water to third world countries.
4.) Use Reusable Bags at the Store
Bringing your own bags to the grocery store is relatively easy. Next time you take a trip to the grocery store, remind your parents to bring along several reusable bags; do your part to lower the demand for plastic bags and keep them out of landfills.
5.) Understand the Meat Industry
Eating meat is extremely environmentally unfriendly. Agriculture accounts for 24 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions which is 10 percent more than transportation.
While the animals we eat produce methane and carbon dioxide [which is bad for the environment], the process of getting the meat from the farm to your plate is even more barbaric. Meat is ingrained in the everyday lives of most Americans,and it is hard to imagine not eating it. However, every instance you choose not to eat meat, you are slowly but surely lowering its demand. It does not need to become an all or nothing situation, but it is important to remember how you contribute to our environment.
6.) Make Smarter Choices at Lunch
There are two easy things you can do to make sure your lunch is not hurting the environment: avoid Ziplock bags and plastic sporks. Using tupperware is a more environmentally friendly approach to packing your food.
If you eat school lunch, make sure you are only using sporks when you need them. Pick up your spork at the end of the line, so you know what you are eating you can avoid picking up a spork unnecessarily.
7.) Save on your morning coffee
Many students enjoy getting coffee or energy drinks on their way to school everyday. Buying a reusable cup and straw for your morning coffee can be better for yourself and the environment. Many coffee franchises such as Atomic and Dunn Bros. offer a discount if you bring your own cup; this is a great incentive for buying a reusable coffee cup.
These suggestions are just the beginning of what you can do for the environment. It is important to continue to care for our Earth so that we can continue to live here for years to come.
