One of the biggest problems standing in the way of drastic change to prevent climate change is the depression that comes with the increased knowledge and research on the severity of the problem. Around the world people are already seeing and feeling the effects of climate change. The reality that is facing our species (humans) and all other living organisms on the planet is dreary. And yet one of the worst things we can do is become apathetic or downtrodden in the face of our growing problem. 


I was in the newsroom one morning during parents weekend and a student’s father came in to talk to us. He wanted us to create an environmental column in the newspaper (which I have been dreaming about for at least a year), but he started off by saying “your generation is going to be the last humans here.” (not quite an exact quote, it was early and I didn’t want to be weird and write it down…) As much as my friends and I joke that I am a debbie downer, even this was too much for me (not to mention the scientific inaccuracies, unless he really believes in 2012 as the end of the world). 

So what do we do when it looks like the world is falling apart at the seams and we will be one of the many to go? Instead of giving in to apathy or doomsday predictions we need to ignite our passion and our drive that is so unique to humans and start making changes. Although we need large, drastic changes, we also need individuals to make small, lasting changes as well. We have the tools, we just need to start getting everyone to use them. 

With six people living in our apartment, especially since 4 are college athletes and 2 of us are just athletes, we go through a ridiculous amount of food. Yesterday I came home to two of my roommates screaming like they were being murdered and telling me that they were so hungry they were getting delusional. Perhaps we should have gone grocery shopping a little sooner.


Today three of us went out and bought bulk goods for everyone and groceries for ourselves. We bought bread, milk (for them), eggs, and snacks in bulk at a big box store to save on money and packaging. Earlier in the year we each bought our own bread, etc. and it not only took up a ridiculous amount of room (especially to have 4 cartons of eggs and milk in the fridge), but more often than not we couldn’t finish what we had bought and it would go to waste. By eating more like a typical family would (in other words sharing food), we are able to cut down on our food waste, have a more communal feel to our kitchen, and save some money! What more could college kids ask for?


What can you do?
1. Share food! Buy things in bulk, or even the regular size and split them with other people. If you don’t have a ton of roommates like I do, neighbors or friends are a great option too.


2. Be sure that you aren’t sacrificing quality or sustainability for money. Just because it’s 50 cents cheaper doesn’t mean it’s better than the product that is organic, local, and/or comes in better packaging.


3. Watch out for things you wouldn’t normally buy. It can be incredibly tempting to buy the biggest thing of jelly beans because if you are all going to split it it’s not that many right? Stick to your list and you will be fine.


4. Farmers markets are also a great place to buy produce in bulk and share the wealth. 


4. Don’t forget to bring your reusable bags!

It’s Nick’s 5th birthday, and he had to spend it with the rest of the newspaper staff working tonight. In honor of his birthday I made him a birthday crown to make sure that he got the 5th birthday he had always dreamed of. It may not be the most beautiful thing I have ever made, but it was made out of recycled paper and it put a smile on everyone’s face.

Happy birthday to all you Leap Day babies.

It’s rare for an assigned reading to be interesting, let alone a great read. Although Margaret Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake” is a depressing novel featuring a dystopian future, it is still one of the best books I have read so far this year.

Oryx and Crake opens with Snowman, who might be the last human on Earth. Throughout the novel Snowman struggles to survive in the post apocalyptic world, and he slowly reveals what his life was like when he was still Jimmy, before he was on his own.

The book is most likely the weirdest book I have ever read. Atwood creates a world full of hybrid animals and examples of humans’ creations. My favorite animal in the book is the rakunk, a mix of a raccoon and a skunk.

Oryx and Crake is an evocative view into a possible version of our future. Although it’s not strictly environmentally focused, it’s an interesting, thought provoking read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dystopian futures, is looking for a new look at our world, or just loves reading.

Yesterday was Ansel Adams’ 110 birthday. Adams’ photos have taught many people about nature and given them a true appreciation for the stunning, majestic world we live in. Do you have a particular favorite?

I have not had to get gas in almost two months. That is probably the longest I have ever been able to go without filling up. Normally I have to get gas every two weeks, so this change of pace has been incredibly pleasant. For every gallon of gas burned, 20 pounds of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere. By my math I have prevented at least 840 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions!


So what have I done differently? Plain and simple, I stopped driving so much. I have only driven to the gym or to get groceries, which means I am driving at most 25 miles per week. The main thing I cut out were my 100 mile roundtrip drives home, which was the majority of my driving.


Do I think that everyone can drastically cut the miles they drive? No. But that doesn’t mean that people don’t have trips they could use alternative transportation for or trips they don’t need to take at all. Think about how many times you will drive somewhere that is only 1-2 miles away from your house. What if instead you decided to walk or ride your bike?

I am constantly baffled by how many people will drive to “class” from their houses near campus. Some people will drive less than 1/4 of a mile to campus, and end up parking so far away that they walk just as far as if they had just walked and left the car at home. 

Why are we so attached to our cars? This week take the time to be aware of where you are driving and challenge yourself to take some of those trips by bike, train, bus, or not at all. Also, don’t forget about carpooling places! For more tips on how to save gas, check out this site (warning, the site is sponsored by a rubber manufacturer. Many of their ideas are great, but just keep that in mind). Here as well.


How many miles can you shave off?

It seems like there are pockets of civilization that are completely resistant to sustainable efforts. One of the prime examples of this is the airline industry.

On my way to Los Angeles today I was yet again alarmed by the amount of waste not only created by the airports, but the individual airline flights as well. 

In the airport every vender hands out plastic cups, straws and other useless packaging when sustainable alternatives are readily available. On the airplanes themselves they use plastic cups to give people drinks. But to fill these cups they use single or double serving items that are already individually packaged in cans or bottles. They usually give the passenger both the plastic cup they poured a portion of the drink into as well as the bottle or can with the rest of the item. Why bother? Why not just give each passenger the item in its original packaging?

Then they give individual serving size peanuts (or death nuts for everyone allergic to them, including me) that only include at most 10 peanuts. At the end of each flight the amount of waste wrapped in their large plastic trash bags is truly astounding.

My roommates and I decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day together. I made Meagan (my designated Valentine) a card on a piece of recycled construction paper, but she went all out for me. Meagan and one of my other roommates took sticky notes and led us to their Valentines on our beds. It was by far one of the best Valentine’s I had ever received (or even seen). 

Don’t worry, none of the paper went to waste, I am keeping them : )