The Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability at Suffolk University called upon Katherine Lange, policy specialist at Massachusetts River Aliance, to teach Suffolk students how they can be a voice for the Mass. rivers and help with saving the environment. Climate change is a hot issue right now and everyone needs to do their part to protect the environment. Below are four ways you can take charge to help our rivers thrive.
Contact your legislators
Contacting your legislators could make a tremendous difference in passing environmental bills and it only takes a few moments. Putting these bills into action is one of the most important things we can help accomplish as American citizens. These bills are attempting to become laws on both the state and federal level, so knowing who to call is an important step. For any state-introduced bill, you can call your state legislator. Don’t know who your legislator is? No need to fret. Use this resource, if you’re a Mass. resident, to find out who your legislator is and their contact information.
Don’t litter
If you have a four-legged pal it is extremely important to pick up after them. Although it’s the polite thing to do for your neighbors, it is also protecting the environment. There are harmful bacteria in pet waste, so if it rains prior to cleaning it up, that bacteria will run off into the rivers. Littering trash is another extremely harmful action to the environment. This litter will end up clogging storm drains and result in a flood. It also pollutes the rivers when the trash ends up in the body of water.
Join activist groups
Joining activist groups is one of the most helpful things you can do to fight for Mass. rivers. Joining the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance allows you to become immersed in these issues and learn the best methods for advocacy. In these groups, you will be able to attend events aimed at protecting rivers along with meeting individuals fighting for the rivers just like you. You can use this resource to find groups nationwide that aim to protect the rivers.
Raise awareness
Lastly, if you are unable to help in any other way, you can still raise awareness about the problems our environment is facing. Not many people realize how the smallest things they do endangers the world, but on the contrary, the smallest things can make a huge difference. Talk to your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, whoever you can get to listen to for five minutes and express the extreme harm our rivers are facing and what they can do to help.
These are only four ways you can make a difference, however there are so many other ways you can help as well. Visit www.massriversalliance.org to find out more information on Mass. rivers and what you can do to help. You can start getting involved by attending the Lobby for the Rivers day on Mar. 15!