Act as part of the solution, not the pollution

By Abigail Yip

As concerns about the state of the environment continue to escalate, we have to check our polluting habits and start taking care of the planet as well as reducing our carbon footprint. Becoming an eco-warrior doesn’t require a lot of effort, and here are some tips to becoming one:

Pick up a piece of litter each day. This may seem like a daunting task. But if every city has the issue of littering, finding litter shouldn’t be very hard. Without small actions of help, a piece of litter on the streets will turn into hundreds or thousands.
Use LED lights. Changing a lightbulb can go a long way; they’re tested to last 100,000 hours or 11 years! LED light bulbs waste far less energy than traditional bulbs, they also contain no hazardous materials which makes them much safer for the environment - consider the difference it would make if everyone switched to LED lighting.
Some packaging cushions are biodegradable, made from eco-friendly materials, such as cornstarch and rice. Even if they aren't, bubble wrap can actually insulate plants during winter, they gather heat during the day to prevent plants from being affected by frost at night. So the next time you find packaging cushions, throw it in the compost piles to let it compose, or even save them for the next time you need to ship something.
Shop eco-friendly. There're lots of brands that are eco-friendly and put the planet first. For example Vixere aims to raise awareness about habitat loss and animal endangerment. They do so by selling necklaces and tote bags, the necklaces are inspired by Earth’s biome and the endangered animals in the biome, with an engraved animal charm with handcrafted jewel using recycled plastic granules.
Stop using plastic bottles, as after using them they’re most likely to end up in the landfill or the ocean. We can also try investing in a reusable water bottle (BPA free if possible).
Always make a list of groceries when going grocery shopping. This avoids unnecessary food purchasing, due to the tricks supermarkets use to get you to buy. But most importantly, make sure not to go to the supermarket in a hungry state!
Try using a smaller plate the next time you’re eating at a buffet, it helps to avoid temptations by tricking your brain into thinking you’ve got your money’s worth. Once you’re done feel free to get more, just make sure to fill up a smaller plate.

Saving the planet seems to be an impossible task, but if everyone does just a little bit, and acts as part of the solution, we will see a positive change.