By Phuong Nguyen
The phrase “carbon footprint” is commonly heard nowadays, but what is it and why does it matter? According to dictionary.com, a carbon footprint is “the amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of an individual, company, country, etc.” Your own carbon footprint affects the world around you, and the decisions you make in your day to day life impact the size of your print.
Turning off the water while brushing your teeth may seem like a small action, but it really does make a difference for the health of our planet.
Here are some helpful tips on what you can do to help heal our environment:
IN YOUR HOUSE:
- Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth
- Instead of using dryer, sun dry your clothes
- Use scratch paper/recycled paper whenever possible
- Donate unwanted clothes/other household items to charities as opposed to just throwing them away
IN THE GARDEN:
- Collect wastewater from your house to water your garden when you’re waiting for the shower to heat up or after washing the dishes
- Try not to use pesticides/chemicals in the garden-chemicals can end up in the water supply eventually
- Collect a compost bin for your garden using egg shells, fruit peels, coffee grounds, dryer lint, vacuum bag contents, cardboard and even sawdust
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Carpool! Get a ride from a friend if you are going to the same event
- Reuse sturdier plastic bags from grocery stores and such
- Buy local produce! Produce from big companies are harmful to the environment because of the strategies they use to cut costs of production
Saving the environment is easier than most people think. These tips can be incorporated into every day life—for example, visiting the farmer’s markets on Saturdays right next to PHHS! ♦
The Legend Online 