Many of us may like to say we help our planet in multiple ways, or that it was the previous generation that trashed our planet. However, it is not quite as useful to rationalize that you are actually making an impact or to overgeneralize the previous generations behavior. In fact, journalist John Tierney (1996) discovered in his research, as well as through a recent study, that it costs more to recycle than to bury items in a landfill. Although this does not mean everyone should stop recycling, because that would ultimately lead to more global warming, it is important to consider more modern, alternative options. What most may have learned in school were very scientific approaches that need to be updated due to the change in needs of our environment. These approaches are fairly new concepts, but have really been around for a long time, and backed up by several scholars. Listed below are three ways you can ACTUALLY help your planet:
1. Minimalism
Minimalism is reducing what you currently have and what you own in the future. The strange thing about minimalism is that it is impossible to completely fulfill its concepts, unless maybe you live alone with few purchasing obligations. However, adopting just some of its concepts can make an impact as well. The point of practicing minimalism is to limit the resources used in the creation and shipment of products, as well as what goes into the landfill. On top of the environmental benefits, many people who adopt this practice tend to feel more peaceful and happy for only owning what is truly important to them. For more information on minimalism, check out this website: http://minimalismfilm.com/about/
2. Local purchases
With the rise of grocery retail giants like Walmart and Target, society has strayed away from what really helped our country both financially and environmentally. What we strayed away from are local markets and farmers. Yes, maybe we see them on the outskirts of town, at the park every Sunday morning, or sometimes featured in the Grocery store, but how often do you really buy from them? Purchasing locally not only puts the money where your community is, but reduces resources used in the shipment process, and helps create community happiness. To learn more about the benefits of buying local, check out this website: https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2011/10/28/how-consumers-and-communities-can-benefit-from-buying-local
3. Composting
When I think of composting, I imagine gross odors and wildlife surrounding the pit of food. However, composting does not have to be this way if you do it correctly. There have been great success stories by those even composting in their own apartment. The whole point of composting is to have a space to garbage food particles, or even coffee grounds, while preventing CO2 from food going into the atmosphere from being in landfills. Another benefit is having fresh planting soil at your fingertips to even grow your own fresh food. There’s many steps to composting, but few resources that it takes to compost. Here is an article to read more on the practice of composting: https://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/i-just-started-composting-my-apartment-and-you-can-too.html
Hopefully this inspires you to update your green habits and our world stays alive a little longer as a result! If you’re looking to donate to a good, green cause, purchase a product from https://www.sandcloudtowels.com or do some charity work. Also, feel free to leave suggestions for more ways to improve our planet and critique my findings.
Image 1: https://www.alternet.org/environment/if-recycling-doesnt-actually-help-p…