By Elijah Teel ‘26 (Reporter)
Oftentimes the magnitude of the climate crisis can be a bit crushing. Everything from warming oceans to politicians backburning the issues can worry young people right now. At times it can feel hopeless, but there are indeed things we can control in our day-to-day lives that have an environmental impact. True, a fossil-fuel-burning company shutting down might have a bigger effect, but here are three things YOU can do to make the world a healthier place.
Food choices
What we choose to eat can have a significant impact on our planet. Certain foods use more fossil fuels and resources than others. In order to be more sustainable, we need to be more conscious of the amount of red meat and dairy we consume. The process of raising a cow, for example, is particularly water intensive. Some cows need an average of 20-24 gallons of water a day (University of Nebraska-Lincoln). With an increased population of cows, that is a lot of water being used up. Making the choice to not eat meat or dairy for a day or two, (meatless Mondays, perhaps) and, instead, eating more sustainable foods can make your lifestyle better for Mother Nature.
Transportation
The average vehicle emits 4.6 tons of carbon dioxide every year (US EPA), and when you multiply this by the millions of cars in the world, the total is staggering. When possible, consider taking more sustainable transportation options. Carpooling is a great way to eliminate the use of multiple cars and reduce one’s carbon footprint. If you live in an urban area, public transportation is easy to use and not as expensive or difficult as finding and paying for parking.
Energy Sources
A more significant change to your lifestyle is reevaluating where your family gets energy. Some people might not realize that there are renewable energy options available in the Philadelphia area to substitute for fossil fuels. My family uses The Energy Co-Op for renewable electricity. Consider this large-scale change to make a difference in your community.
Climate change is tricky, but if we all do our part, its effects can be mitigated. So, keep these three things in mind as you go through your life and remember how easy it is to be kind to the Earth.
Sources
“Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle#:~:text=typical%20passenger%20vehicle%3F-,A%20typical%20passenger%20vehicle%20emits%20about%204.6%20metric%20tons%20of,8%2C887%20grams%20of%20CO2. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.
“Water Requirements for Beef Cattle.” UNL Beef, July 2015, beef.unl.edu/water-requirements-for-beef-cattle#:~:text=As%20an%20example%2C%20spring%2Dcalving,is%20high%20in%20water%20content.
Comments