During the Coronavirus crisis, we are getting more aware of the environmental problems while, ironically, using more disposable and single-use items than ever. Today, I would like to share a few ideas on how to stay environmentally-friendly during the pandemic.
1. Use your own bag and utensils when taking out food from the cafeteria.
Before leaving your room to get food at the cafeteria, take your bag and utensils with you. Hundreds of students visit the cafe every day for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and if we choose to use our bag and utensils, it will save thousands of plastic bags and utensils each week. If you end up using plastic bags, don't forget to reuse them as trash bags or in some other ways.
If you eat Gazebo food frequently, try to recycle their plastic containers as much as possible. Make sure to clean out all the food particles left in the container, wash them, and dry them before throwing them into the recycling bin. Be responsible for the food you purchase by reducing food waste.
2. Eat a plant-based diet.
If you are living on-campus, you will most likely be living this suggestion already. However, I strongly recommend you to continue that diet even when you are off-campus or eating out. It is now a well-known fact that the animal industry, especially cows, contributes a lot of methane and causes massive deforestation.
We are living in a time where consuming excessive amounts of meat has created an abnormal environmental ecosystem. So, let's not think about what was natural hundreds of years ago, but what actions are "natural" to take for us living in the 21st century. Eat less meat; eat less dairy products!
3. Cut the straps off after using disposable masks.
The masks that have been protecting us have turned out to be a significant hazard to wild animals, especially birds. Many people have found them tangled up by the mask straps, causing many animal welfare organizations to urge the public to take an essential extra step when dumping the masks. So make sure you have your scissors available next to your trash bin to remind yourself to snip the straps! An even better option is to use the reusable masks that Andrews University gave you when the school year started.
4. Support candidates that promote environmental causes.
It can be easy to keep your interest outside of politics, but you should pay attention! If one person can make a difference for the world, how much more do you think the country, states, and the entire nation can make? Pay attention to the pledges the parties are making and check the candidates' records to see if they have continued efforts for the environment.
Any US citizens who are 18 years or older are eligible to vote. If you are from Michigan, you can still register to vote for the upcoming November 3rd presidential election (In person: November 3rd, Online and Mail: October 19th). Vote, vote, vote!
5. Use more, buy less.
With Amazon and hundreds of online malls accessible today, we might compulsively buy unnecessary things, or things we might have in our closet, drawers, or cabinets. Before you purchase anything, first of all, wait for 30 minutes. If you still can't get that item off your mind, ask yourself these three questions: Why do you need it? Do you not have any similar items? Is it something I can borrow from someone else?
If you still find yourselves needing to buy that specific clothes, phone, book, or whatever that may be, make sure to purchase one with good quality—a product you can use for a long period of time —even if it means you might need to pay a bit more. Spending $100 once every few years will save you more money and help the environment more than spending $50 every month or year.
Although it is inevitable for us to create waste while trying to keep ourselves safe during the pandemic, there are things out there for us to do to reduce the amount of garbage and make it less dangerous for local fauna. Many environmental crises have happened this year but let's keep a hopeful outlook and continue to develop eco-friendly habits in our lives! We can make a difference, world changers!
Originally published on October 13, 2020.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.