Intro :)

I have long been passionate about sustainability and positive environmental efforts. In the past years the effects of our carbon footprint has gained the spotlight. It has been an issue, growing for many years, but is only suddenly earning the priority it deserves. With this said, not much has been changed to improve the many issues at hand. The government has not made large efforts in law writing, providing money, or through other attempts. Business regulations fail to improve, schools have barely improved, and individuals do not feel as though their actions matter.

I have become a huge environmental advocate and take it upon myself to ensure I am always recycling, always choosing the waste free option, using green-to-gos, taking quick, showers, turning off lights, and whatever else I can do. I hope to make the smallest foot-print I can. 

Even though I am just one person, I can see my actions making a difference. I usually drink coffee everyday, and this semester I have only used four plastic cups (when I forgot my reusable cup). It is the fifth week of school, instead of the accumulation of 35 cups that would have ended up in the recycling and potentially the trash, I have eliminated 31 of them. 

Yes, I am that person that will yell at you if you don’t use a reusable cup or use styrofoam instead of green-to-gos. My friends hear about it everyday and have developed better habits from my constant nagging. I also think that when people see me using reusable cups for water and coffee, and seeing the green-to-go when I carry it, they will think about it and hopefully decide to do the same thing the next time they eat. Campus commons and stores offer discounts when reusable products are used. Starbucks offers a 25 cent discount each time, and this isn’t just with their cup. You can bring any reusable cup you own and they will fill it and give you a discount. 

I have asked strangers and friends why they do not use reusable products and why they choose not to use the green-to-go. Many answer that they feel they will not make an impact. Many also state that it’s inconvenient and challenging. I sometimes struggle to remember to clean my cups and bring back my green-to-go but I really do not feel like it is a hard thing to do. I find it relaxing to clean and it may take three minutes out of my day. 

People always ask me why I care so much about the environment and I can never find a straight answer. I ask them, why wouldn’t I? I did not grow up in a household that recycled nor did they teach me about the issues of the environment. I cannot figure out how, but I developed this passion on my own.