The time has come to act. Protecting the environment is important, but more so important for us, the younger generation. This issue is not merely an environment one, but something that is integral to our future, health and quality of life. We have been presented with numerous opportunities to make eco-friendly changes in our lifestyles. Not only will these smart decisions benefit us, but help in making the earth a better place. Drastic changes aren’t needed to become eco-friendly in our day-to-day lives. Small changes can have a big impact. One step in the right direction would be to recycle the garbage. You can help others understand the environment by getting them involved in recycling. Recycling is one of the most powerful ways in which you be more eco friendly. This can be a source of fun and doesn’t have to be boring. Companies and colleges are beginning to care for the environment, and this is one area to which we can all contribute. Get your company to recycle paper, use less electricity, use water judiciously. Start a campaign, make yourself heard.
This can begin with an energy, water and waste audit of your campus — create a baseline. If you can’t find all the data, find what you can, and then move forward to what you can do. Calculate energy consumption, find a way to reduce it, and prove to your administration that your plan will work! We have already seen examples of incredible model schools. See some examples in our Campus Climate. The environmental impact of our work can be significantly reduced by taking up small actions. Help your community become more eco friendly as well. Such efforts can be implemented in our college campuses, communities and offices. It’s important they learn that being environmentally friendly saves them money. A person gets a sense of pride when they realize that their work helped in making the world cleaner, the environment a little safer for the future.
Ultimately everyone has a role to play. Individuals should be badgering their employers and colleges to do more. Educational institutions and companies can serve as early adopters when it comes to implementing new technology and new business practices. Everything from– insulation, lighting, heating and cooling systems can be made greener, even windows. In recognizing that college and high school campuses are ideal places for youth to experiment and demonstrate their creative climate solutions, while also sharing climate solutions with other youth, IYCN is seeking to develop capacity of Campus Climate Changers across the nation, who would take up the Campus Climate Challenge, to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of their campus as a climate solution and inspire other campuses across the country. This can begin with an energy, water and waste audit of your campus — create a baseline.
If you can’t find all the data, find what you can, and then move forward to what you can do. Calculate energy consumption, find a way to reduce it, and prove to your administration that your plan will work! We have already seen examples of incredible model schools. See some examples in our Campus Climate. Higher education institutions can use their campus environments as a teaching tool, as a research center for finding environment solutions and make sure that their campus activities are exemplary models of environmental learning.