Just because your day may feel overwhelming with papers, exams and extracurriculars, doesn’t mean that you can’t help save the planet. Climate change is one of the biggest issues facing our planet today. Even though it may seem like one person’s actions can’t make a difference, change starts at the individual level. If each one of us incorporates these small changes into our daily routine, we will be taking part in helping the beautiful Earth.
1. Use a reusable water bottle
Invest in a good reusable water bottle. Buy one that is your favorite color and decorate it with stickers to make it something you want to show off. Many college students buy plastic water bottles because it seems convenient but cease to realize that it takes an average of 450 years for plastic to decompose. Buying yourself a water bottle that you can fill up would be doing nature a huge favor. Besides, investing in a water bottle will cut out the cost of purchasing plastic bottles every month.
2. Reduce your meat and dairy intake
You don’t have to be a hardcore vegan to make a significant change. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, 14.5 percent of all anthropogenic GHG emissions is a result of livestock. By simply replacing one to two meals a weak with a vegetarian option, you will greatly decrease these emissions.
3. Have a recycling bin in your dorm room
Having a designated bin where you put your recyclables and paper products can immensely decrease your waste. Even if your building has a recycling unit, many students end up throwing away perfectly good recyclables because they don’t want to walk to the recycling bins. Have a small basket in your room where you put these items and once a week make a trip to the recycling unit. You will be surprised at how many things you were previously throwing out that could easily be recycled.
4. Turn off the water
Turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth and washing your face. Turning off the tap can save around 200 gallons of water a month. Water is a fundamental resource that many people take for granted. Doing your simple job to save on water can largely conserve the resource.
5. Unplug your chargers when they are not being used
You may have noticed that your charger is hot even when it is not charging your device. This is because it still uses energy when it is plugged into a power source. When your devices are charged, make sure to unplug your charger from the power source to save on energy as well as decrease the fire hazard.
Doing your part to help the planet doesn’t have to be a big deal. Starting small by incorporating a few of the above ideas into your daily routine will undoubtedly help. Over time, integrate more of these ideas into your life. Helping the planet isn’t hard. Being conscious of how your actions impact the earth will lead to a better mindset about reducing your carbon footprint and make a change!
For more information on how to live sustainably check out these articles: Her Campus, Her Campus
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