Ashley R. Singer
Students may claim that it's too expensive to make better choices, or they simply can't afford to do things any differently. Often times when people think of making greener choices they think of things like buying organic, local food, buying a hybrid car or designing a new house based on efficiency concepts. The truth is there are so many ways to do things cheaper, more efficiently and healthier that are also considered green.
There are several ways to make better choices for the planet that don't cost anything. In a city like New Haven, garbage pickup and recycling are a municipal service. Families can sort garbage and recyclables at home and recycle as much as possible. The city now offers a large recycling can that no longer requires residents to sort recyclables. New Haven accepts a surprisingly long list of paper, plastic and metal objects that can be put into recycling cans.
Choosing outdoor activities like bike riding, hiking and sports over things like watching TV or playing video games are things students can do easily on their own, or with friends, everyday. Often times indoor spaces need to be climate controlled, either heated or cooled, and this takes a lot of money and energy in many different forms. By staying outside, students not only reduce carbon emissions but also make healthier choices.
Something that may save money is to switch from bottled water to using a reusable water bottle and drinking either tap water or at-home filtered water. Drinking water instead of other beverages also has a decrease in carbon emissions as well as major health benefits. Students can chose to bring lunch to school that is not prepackaged; things like fruit and homemade sandwiches brought to school in reusable packaging create little to no waste.
Composting at home has several benefits; families will reduce the amount of trash they put out, which in turn creates less of a need for trucks. Less garbage in a garbage dump also creates less methane, which is usually burned and released as carbon dioxide. When one composts, he or she is creating soil that can be used to grow plants and further reduce carbon emissions.
There are many ways to reuse or recycle plastic bags. Many small bathroom garbage containers can take a small bag or one can take an old bag along to pick up after your dog instead of buying new bags made for the job. A good way to avoid using a plastic bag all together is to get cheap reusable bags made to help consumers reduce their carbon emissions; grocery stores are so supportive of this effort they are willing to give a five cent credit for each bag towards groceries if you use them.
Remembering to shut lights and any unused appliance off is always a good idea. Unplugging anything, such as microwaves, computers or televisions not in use is a great way to save electricity and money. Many appliances or electric equipment still allow an electrical current to flow through them when they are not being used, sometimes one can see this in a small digital clock or there may be no indication of an electrical current at all. Even a switched off appliance draws current, usually a small one but it is cumulative and adds up.
Walking, biking, or using public transportation instead of driving to a destination can save money and gasoline. Students can take the school's transportation, ride the city bus or walk to school instead of getting dropped off or driving their own car.
Students will be asked to reflect on their own carbon footprint. An individual graphical representation of the way students live now and a plan to lead a lower impact life will help students see they, alone, can make a difference. Students will follow up with a graphical representation of what they predict will be their lower carbon lifestyle habits.
