Since Earth Day is April 22, it is the perfect time to reflect on personal habits that may not be very environmentally friendly. As citizens of the world, we can change many aspects of our everyday lives to treat the Earth better, from adopting a completely new diet to changing the light bulbs in our homes.
Here are a few pledges that you can consider taking as Earth day rolls around.
1. Print double-sided… or don’t print at all!
As college students we go through quite a bit of paper, whether we are turning in assignments or printing them to read and annotate. By pledging to print necessary documents as double-sided, or to avoid printing nonessential items, you can significantly reduce paper waste.
2. Meatless Monday
The consumption of meat is one of the main ways that someone personally adds greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Products like lamb and beef are some of the biggest contenders when it comes to supplying the atmosphere with carbon dioxide. This being said, reducing the amount of meat that you eat, even if just for one day a week, can help the environment in the long run.
3. Donate to eco-friendly organizations
Many organizations exist to research and correct issues caused by pollution and global climate change. By funding an eco-friendly organization such as the World Wildlife Fund or Earthjustice, to name a couple, you are investing in the future of the planet and the protection of the Earth’s species and natural cycles.
4. Use your bike
As Davis students we are lucky to live in a place that does not just tolerate biking everywhere—it encourages it! Making a habit to bike to class or downtown instead of driving a car can be one of the best ways to become more eco-friendly.
5. Recycle
Being at Davis makes it easy to sort your waste: not only are there numerous bins, but those bins are also extremely detailed with diagrams showing you what exactly is landfill, what is recyclable, and what is compostable. Make sure to pay close attention to how you throw away your waste, it only takes a couple seconds longer to think about which bin to put your waste in.
These are a few of the many ways to alter your habits to benefit the environment. There is always more that we can do as a student body and as a society to make the Earth a healthier entity. Consider taking a pledge with the UC Davis Student Housing and Dining Services Sustainability team, which will be tabling at Memorial Union on Earth Day!