Growing up in New Orleans, I didn’t see many people take environmental issues seriously. My mother was different. She tried to reduce her carbon footprint and taught my siblings and me to recycle and save electricity. I remember going to a festival for my eighth birthday and noticing how carelessly people threw away their trash. My mother explained how littering contributes to pollution, and we spent much of the day talking about how our choices affect the environment.
After taking an Eco-footprint test , my results were hocking, but it was also a wake-up call. I realized that even when I think I’m doing my part, there are still ways to improve. The results also made me think about how being environmentally friendly can be difficult or expensive, especially when people don’t have access to affordable options.
As a college student, I decrease my ecological footprint by using less energy, such as turning off lights and electronics when I’m not using them. I reduce waste by reusing items, recycling properly, and choosing products with less packaging. When possible, I could walk or take public transportation instead of driving. I could also avoid unnecessary purchases and reduce food waste by planning meals and using leftovers.
I say all of this from as someone with the privilege of affording to be environmentally friendly. Not everyone has access to the same affordable transportation, products, or recycling options, so making sustainable choices can be challenging. Still, I can do my best with the options available to me and encourage people around me to make small changes too. My mother taught me that caring for the environment starts with paying attention to how our actions affect it. I can keep learning and take practical steps toward making my community cleaner.
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