Though it is not being well-addressed, many young people have been hearing about the crisis of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. The Amazon, referred by many as the “Earth’s Lungs,” is burning. Currently, there is much debate about whether it is a problem or not. Some believe that the Amazon is not the lungs to our Earth. Others say that the burning of the Amazon is a great natural catastrophe. There are even those that state the Amazon is not burning at all, despite the fact that the burning can be seen from space.
I personally believe the burning in the Amazon is a horrible event. Much of the wildlife in the Amazon is being killed or forced to flee from their natural homes. The great trees that act as oxygen suppliers for the Earth are being burned or torn down. Indigenous people, who have lived in the Amazon for centuries, are losing their homes and lives every day. I know that my friends and I want to help the Amazon and our planet, but what can broke 20-somethings do?
Here is a list of 5 ways broke young people can help the Amazon right now that also benefits us and the planet.
- Search with Ecosia
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As young people, we Google everything. As college people, we Google everything and then some. Questions for classes, images for projects, what expired milk smells like, etc. Since we are always asking the internet questions on a daily basis, why not search and plant trees at the same time? Ecosia.org states that for roughly every 45 searches you make, it will plant a tree. That may seem like a lot of searches, but billions of people are on the internet in one day. Ecosia claims to plant a tree every second as a result of all these people combining their need to search for answers online. So, if you are going to ask the internet about Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, why not plant a tree as well? “What’s in a search engine, that which we get an answer from?”
- Reduce the use of Paper
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If you have an online class, use EverNote for notes instead of notebooks. Writers should think of using Word or Google Docs for their creative juices to flow. That is, if they can do without physically writing. If not, find old notebooks from previous classes and recycle them into creative notebooks. Also, be sure to use both sides of the paper.
- Limit Gas Burning
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If you are a commuter like I am, try carpooling with classmates who are nearby. If walking to school is possible, then break out your walking shoes. It will be good for both your lungs and the Earth. You might also find some interesting shops and good food on Main Street while walking up to campus. You could also ride bikes when the weather is favorable. KU also has the on-campus and off-campus buses that are included in your tuition. You might as well use it if you are paying for it.
- Reduce Beef Intake
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A major reason for the deforestation of the Amazon is to make room for cattle. By reducing beef intake here in the US, the cattle industry would take a hit, making cattle raising not worth it. It is recommended that people make at least one day in the week a meatless day. Try beans or replacement meat products. However, if like me, you still need meat, look toward pork. Pork is a meat that is cleaner for the environment to eat compared to beef. Pigs have many offspring so they don’t need to be bred as hard as cows, which means that they don’t require a lot of resources to breed. Pigs also don’t release as many toxins as cows do into our atmosphere. Chicken, my personal favorite of meats, is even better. A chicken eats much less than a cow; this makes it a ‘greener’ meat to eat. Chicken is also considered a healthier meat and can be cooked up in many different ways. Just go on Pinterest and look up some great recipes. Use other meats to replace beef, if possible. Use fish for tacos or chicken for burgers. Or… go plant-based.
- Plant Trees
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With the deforestation and fires of the Amazon, much of the Earth’s oxygen creators are being taken away. To help bring more oxygen into the Earth, and your own lungs, plant trees nearby. If you live at home with your parents or significant other, think of planting trees in your yard. If you rent a house, apartment, or dorm, think of indoor plants in pots. Some low maintenance plants that are perfect for apartments and dorms are: spider plants, which don’t need much direct light; zebra plants, considered an easy succulent to grow; pothos, which are great for air-purification, and of course, the famous cactus, which is probably the easiest plant to keep alive. All these plants will help the environment while also making your dorm or apartment aesthetically pleasing for Instagram.