What can YOU do to better our planet?

NASA

If you know the signs to look for, it becomes clear that the Earth itself is breathing.

Kylie Woekel, Staff Writer

Climate change is fiercely coming our way, you have the power to make a change. These are some of the ways you can help :

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Reusing products saves money and prevents creating waste, it declines the harvest of new materials which saves energy and space. Reduce your intake of electricity and water. Recycling saves landfill space by keeping the useful materials that are being recycled. This simple effort not only saves energy and materials but also reduces methane in the atmosphere and stores carbon in the soil

 

Energy Efficiency
This is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gasses in the air. Limiting your use of water and electricity can make a powerful change. So make sure next time to turn the lights off when you leave a room and do not leave the sink running when you are not using it. Another impactful way to save energy is to drive less, walk and bike more. As well as saving energy and gas expenses, biking around can better your health and get you more connected within your community.

Volunteer to clean up trash outside
Beaches, parks, shopping centers, transit stops etc are all places that need your help. This prevents animals from eating garbage and cleans up your community. Wherever you find trash outside, do not hesitate to pick it up because small changes are still impacting a difference.

Researchers Say Environmentally Conscious Shoppers Don't Bring Reusable Bags To The Store
Example of a reusable bag people can use from Forbes

Reusable bags
Plastic bags break down tiny particles that contaminate the soil and waterways, they kill wildlife and take up too much space due to humans usually producing 380 million tons of plastic waste every year.

Plant a tree
Not only does planting a tree help the air we breathe, It creates your own footprint on earth. A tree that will live on earth longer than you but still carry the same love you gave when you planted it. Trees prevent flooding, provide food, protection and homes for wildlife.

Spread awareness to others
Increasing support will promote action and change. The more people become aware of this issue, more people are willing to help. Educating others on the strategies to end climate change will teach them how easy it can be to do your part to save our planet.

This topic affects us all, we all need to care and protect our planet. It is our job to keep the trees green and tall, the ocean blue and clean and the air fresh.

 

Work Cited
“Energy Efficiency.” Energy.gov, https://www.energy.gov/eere/energy-efficiency.
“Reduce and Reuse Basics.” Reduce and Reuse Basics | Irving, TX – Official Website, https://www.cityofirving.org/579/Reduce-and-Reuse.
“Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.” Reduce, Reuse and Recycle | Missouri Department of Natural Resources, https://dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/reduce-reuse-recycle.
tti_access. “5 Ways Plastic Harms the Environment.” Twice the Ice, 30 June 2021, https://www.twicetheice.com/blog/5-ways-plastic-harms-the-environment/.
“Zero Waste Is a Climate Change Solution – Eco-Cycle.” Eco, 16 Mar. 2023, https://ecocycle.org/learn-about-zero-waste/zw-is-a-climate-change-solution/.