This Tuesday marks the 42nd anniversary for Earth
Day, a day to celebrate the environment around us and continue to protect it.
We’ve already started to adopt many eco-friendly behaviors that benefit our
health but don’t forget the benefit for our environment as well!
Some simple ideas
to help you go green:
Eat local and organic
We often associate organic food
with higher prices but that’s not true all the time. As the weather gets
warmer, many farmers markets will be available in the area. For example, UB
collaborates with farmers markets to bring locally grown fruits and vegetables to
North and South campuses, beginning May 18th (on South). Local,
organic produce typically has less pesticides and is fresher than produce from
the supermarket. This is both healthier for you and the earth!
Many of the cans and bottles we
use daily are recyclable. Here at UB, you can recycle them and get money back
(they are located in the SU or in Ellicot Food Court).
It’s a win-win situation. To go even greener, start using a reusable water bottle
or coffee cup. Bottled water is not any healthier or cleaner than tap water, so
why not go for the eco-friendly and more cost-efficient option and fill up your
own bottle. If you’re a coffee person, bring your own coffee mug to the coffee
shop.
Cut the plastic bags
Next time you go to grocery
shopping, think about your health and the planet’s health. Bring your own
canvas tote to carry your groceries. Plastic bags can take years to degrade. If
you forget your canvas bag, you can always ask for a brown paper bag.
Take a walk
Save on gas and pollution! Instead
of driving to your next destination, take a walk. It not only saves you money
but decreases the amount of pollution that your car releases. Don’t forget that
you need at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day to fulfill your
physical activity requirements. If walking isn’t an option, carpooling isn’t a
bad idea either.
The weather is finally getting
nice outside. Go outside and play instead of staying in and using electronics.
Gather a bunch of friends and start a game of basketball or other game. It may
actually be more fun than playing video games indoor.
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