More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of protecting the environment. With global warming, decreasing biodiversity, deforestation, water scarcity and other global issues, adopting an eco-friendlier, more sustainable lifestyle can be a significant step towards a better and greener future.
Therefore, you should consider making your student life more ethical and green as a way to contribute to the conservation of the environment. Furthermore, by turning to eco-friendly living, you may inspire your peers to follow your example.
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Adopt friendlier habits
There are numerous eco-friendly habits that you can adopt to save the environment. For example, you should go to college by foot or bike instead of taking a bus or cab. You should also reduce your water consumption by turning off taps while soaping your hands or body or brushing your teeth.
Turning off the lights and installing LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption and cut your bills. These are simple habits that you can easily adopt and that can truly help you make a contribution to the environment preservation.
Reduce your paper use
Every student is buried in paper – notes, assignments, copies, books, reminders, planners, etc. You probably like to print out your notes, highlight important parts with colourful markers and copy your friends’ notes. However, switching to the digital format can significantly reduce your paper use and help the environment.
You should consider reading books via e-readers or your laptop and taking your laptop to lectures to write down your notes. Not only will you save paper, but you’ll also be able to access your notes from any device, at any place and at any time. You can go digital even when you exchange notes with your peers.
For example, Australian students can exchange their uni papers online by accessing the Thinkswap platform. You can find a similar platform for your university and have different notes, student guides and assignments at your disposal. You can also post your notes to help out other students in need. This way, you’ll speed up your studying process, reduce your paper use and save both money and the environment.
Control waste
There are so many ways to reduce waste without breaking a sweat. Instead of going from plastic bottles and paper cups, you should buy reusable ones and simply wash them after. You should also avoid using wet wipes, paper towels, plastic razors and plastic grocery bags. When shopping for different products, go with bigger bottles and containers instead of tiny ones. In addition, you should avoid wasting food, too. If possible, freezer your leftovers or share your food with your friends.
Practice what you preach
Preaching about saving the environment while doing the opposite is quite unethical. Instead, try to be a great example to your friends by practicing what you preach in real life. Make sure to stick to your own advice before giving it to someone else. Only when you do that will you have the right to advise others. Afterwards, you can expand ecological awareness and help your friends adopt eco-friendlier lifestyles.
No matter how small and insignificant these changes may seem, they can actually help you lead a healthier and greener life that benefits the environment, too.