Small Acts, Big Impacts!
Even as busy college students, we have the power to make choices everyday that impact our planet. In our day to day lives and decisions, there is a large range of ways to be environmentally conscious and ethical consumers. This spring, EthiCAL Apparel will be promoting the important idea of “ Small Acts, Big Impacts” in partnership with Acterra, a Bay Area environmental education non-profit. From our clothing consumption habits to our diet decisions there is room to make small choices that have significant impact on the health and wellbeing of our environment!
In this blog post, I’ll share five ways that college students can use to reduce their environmental impact and be more ethical consumers in various parts of their life!
- Choose plant-based meals
Choosing plant-based meals is a great way to reduce your environmental impact in your daily diet. The industey practices of mass scale animal agriculture is a leading cause of deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. By choosing plant-based meals, you can reduce your carbon footprint and support a more sustainable and ethical food system. You can start by trying out new vegetarian or vegan recipes, or by swapping out meat and dairy for plant-based alternatives. Some amazing local options for Berkeley students looking for plant based meals include Stand-Up Burger for vegan burgers , Cha-Ya for vegetarian Japanese cuisine and Flacos for vegan Mexican cuisine!
2. Shop second-hand
Shopping second-hand is another way to be an ethical consumer and practice reducing your impact on the environment ! Instead of buying new clothes and items, look for gently used options at thrift stores, consignment shops, or online marketplaces. This reduces the demand for new products, saves resources, and supports a circular economy. Plus, it can be a fun and affordable way to find unique and stylish items! Keep a look-out for low cost ways to purchase and trade clothing within the Berkeley community! Clubs on campus including ReUSE, FAST and more often have pop-up clothing swap and thrifting events on Sproul Plaza throughout the school year. Clothing swaps especially can be an excellent way to clean out old clothes you may no longer use and get new pieces for your wardrobe at no cost! an excellent way to clean out old clothes you may no longer use and get new pieces for your wardrobe at no cost!
3. Use green energy
Switching to green energy is an effective way to reduce your environmental impact as a college student. Many energy providers offer renewable energy options, such as wind or solar power, which can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. You can also consider investing in a portable solar charger for your phone or laptop, which can be powered by the sun’s energy.
4. Reduce plastic waste
Reducing plastic waste is another important way to have a positive impact on the environment with a small act or choice. Avoid single-use plastics, such as straws, bags, and utensils, and opt for reusable alternatives instead. You can also choose products with minimal packaging, bring your own reusable bags and containers when shopping, and recycle properly. By reducing your plastic waste, you can help to reduce pollution, protect wildlife, and conserve resources. Ask around to find out which of your favorite Berkeley go-to spots allow you to use reusable cups, straws and containers! Look forward to a future post on sustainable businesses to support and lessen your plastic waste impact with!
5. Support ethical and sustainable brands
Look for brands that prioritize sustainability, fair labor practices, and animal welfare. You can also choose products made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo, recycled plastic, or organic cotton. By supporting ethically sourced brands, you can use your purchasing power to support a sustainable future. EthiCAL Apparel is a great example of a brand committed to sustainability with our 100% cotton t-shirts and 60% of all our profits donated to local environmental organizations like Acterra!
Being an environmentally conscious and ethical consumer is a powerful way to make a difference in the world. While these acts may seem small on the individual level, they have consequential impact when adopted and actively practiced by a collective community! By choosing plant-based meals, shopping second-hand, using green energy, reducing plastic waste, and supporting ethical and sustainable brands, college students can help to protect the environment and promote positive change. Maybe you may not have ever tried making these decisions in the past, but today is the perfect day to start building a habit– small act by small act! Let’s make sustainable and ethical choices every day, and create a better future for ourselves and our planet.
Author: Raneem Iftekhar | Editor: Frances Chai and Sylvia Mau Graphics: Raneem Iftekhar | Team: Social Good
