Clean Up Your Act
It is important for climate activists to practice what they preach. That’s why reducing our personal carbon footprint is a central part of the movement to end the climate crisis.
Here are some of our favorite steps to leading a greener life:
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REDUCE, Reuse, recycle (in that order)
Ever thought about how much you consume and throw away every day? Since everything we use takes energy to produce, transport and dispose of, the less you use, the lower your carbon footprint. That is why reducing and reusing are such an important factors in making a difference and preserving our environment. Plus, it can be
fun. Want to know more about the best ways to incorporate reducing and reusing into your daily routine? Check out Earth 911, a comprehensive recycling website.
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Depending on where you live, making changes to the way you move could
be ridiculously easy or a bit challenging. Nonetheless, there is something simple for
everyone to do to reduce our oil use. Whether it’s exploring your town’s
public transportation system, getting some exercise on two wheels, carpooling, or just running your car more efficiently, you can do your part
to reduce you transportation footprint! If you want more and easier options to green your ride, don’t forget to ask your local representative to increase your access to sustainable transportation by improving public transit and vehicle efficiency standards.
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As your grandma used to say, a penny saved is a penny earned. What she didn’t tell you is that this also applies to energy. Conserving energy is easy and will save you tons of money. You can start by being careful about turning off your lights. Then take the next step and install energy efficient light bulbs. If you really feel ambitious, tell your landlord to perform a home energy audit and put your energy bill on a diet. |
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Eat Less Meat
Did you know that reducing your meat consumption cuts your carbon
footprint more than switching from a Hummer to a Prius? Well, it’s true, and the good news is that
it’s easy and healthy to do so! Scared about toeing the vegetarian line? Don’t be, you just might end up liking it.
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What most climate mitigation measures really come down to is being a
more conscious consumer. It takes a little effort at first to remember that
all your actions have an impact, but if you make it routine it will be just as
easy as not punching someone every time you hear something you don’t
like. For a more compelling argument for responsible consumption, check
out the Story of Stuff.
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Click here to go back to the Polar Opposites home page.
For more information about Campus Progress’s work on climate change, contact Tommaso Boggia at tboggia@campusprogress.org.
For general inquiries about Campus Progress, contact campus@campusprogress.org.
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