Saving the planet? It’s a pretty lofty goal. I get it. And with every story on the news making it seem as though the world as we know it is about to go up in flames, it can be very overwhelming to even think about the state of the environment, let alone what our everyday actions may be doing to further its condition. However, our interactions with the resources around us have a much larger impact than we may be led to believe. Anna, a student of Environmental and Sustainability Studies at the University of Northern Colorado and the owner of Anna’s Green Guide, runs a blog dedicated to talking about those small steps that can eventually lead to big results.
I interviewed Anna in order to get her insight on what we can do in our everyday lives in order to give a little more love to mother nature.
HCCU: Why did you first become interested in environmental ethics and sustainability?
A: I really became interested in the environment (more so than on a surface level) my Junior year of high school, when I began taking Environmental and Sustainability Studies. My teacher, Mr. Korte, was so passionate about the environment that it was impossible for me not to be. After deciding to major in ENST, my classes have only furthered my interest in ethics and sustainability with regards to the environment. Even if you are not interested in majoring in ENST, many of the college courses are interdisciplinary, so I would highly suggest taking up a class or two! You may really like it.
Photo from Pinterest.
HCCU: For a person just getting into the environmental movement, what would you recommend as their first steps?
A: A common misconception is that radical changes must be made in order for your lifestyle to have an impact on the environment. However, this is not the case. Simple steps can, and should, be taken! For example, buying a set of reusable straws (you can find a pack for $5 on Amazon), bringing your own bags to the grocery store, or trying to drive less and bike more are all super simple but super impactful ways to make a change. However, if you are interested in joining the more extreme side of the movement, my idol is Lauren Singer (founder of Trash is for Tossers and Package Free Shop). She lives almost entirely waste-free and is an incredible entrepreneur. I would recommend checking her out!
Photo from Pinterest.
HCCU: What are some challenges a college student may face when trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
A: The biggest issue that college students face with living sustainably (or with anything, really) is money. Because package-free and eco-friendly products are not widely available, there do tend to be some pretty heavy markups. My New Year’s Resolution is to make my bathroom completely plastic-free, but I am expecting that it will take me quite a while to get there! But, there are some pretty cheap ways to live within your means, sustainably. One of my latest blog posts is about an online shop called Brandless, which is not a completely package-free shop, but they do use significantly less plastic than other stores. Plus, everything there is $3! I buy almost everything for my dorm from them. Finding alternatives like Brandless is a cheap, easy way to become a little bit more eco-friendly.
HCCU: What kind of an impact can small individual changes potentially have on the environment?
A: Small steps lead to big changes! I believe that one of the biggest issues that we see in the industry is the sheer demand for goods, with little demand for eco-friendly practices. Already, individuals all over the US have stopped using plastic straws. If this trend continues, there will be no demand left for plastic straws, and therefore the supply will plummet. However, every movement starts locally, with just a few individuals. Joining a movement or starting your own can have incredible impacts!
Photo from Instagram.
HCCU: What goals are you planning on taking on in the new year?
A: As mentioned earlier, my biggest New Year’s resolution is to ensure that my bathroom is plastic free. I am really excited about this because I know that if I am buying or making products that are plastic-free, they will also be better for me! A lot of products such as shampoo, conditioner, and even face wash have chemicals in them that are not good for you. Buying products from places that ensure eco-friendliness also tend to use fewer chemicals. I am hoping to start buying and making these products as soon as possible! Past this resolution, I would also like to read and write a lot more. As nerdy as it sounds, I love reading books about the environment! I have a whole section of my blog devoted to my favorites! Next on my list is Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson. With school starting up again, I have not had much time to write on my blog or read for fun, so I hope to make it a habit this year.
Image from Anna’s Green Guide.
HCCU: Can you tell me a little more about your blog & the sort of content it produces?
A: My blog, Anna’s Green Guide, was started on a whim! I have always loved writing but never have had the courage to actually start up a blog. But since I have started developing Anna’s Green Guide, I’ve loved every minute of it! I write about everything concerning the environment! My list for future blog posts include interviews with individuals who work for eco-friendly businesses, photo galleries of landscape photography, and even a close look into the politics of the environmental movement. I hope to inspire individuals to care for the environment and help everyone with their own eco-friendly journey.
Be sure to keep up with Anna and her blog and remember to not get too overwhelmed in your own journey! Lifestyle changes are always a process; everyone starts somewhere. However, if you really want to see change, the process must start today.
Photo from Pinterest.
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