A slight change can make all the difference
Many of us tend to ignore the small things we can do to conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions and live a sustainable lifestyle because we don’t feel like we’re making a difference. However, small things do add up. As environmental sustainability becomes a growing concern both around the world and on the Bishop’s campus, there are many things we can all do to help move towards a ‘greener’ university campus.
Emissions
There are many ways you can help reduce emissions. Simply taking the stairs or choosing to walk or bike will, over time, greatly impact your carbon footprint. If every student, faculty and staff member ran their computer 24/7 for a year, it would result in 16.3 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Center for the Environment at Harvard University, turning computers off or into a low power standby state for even half of that time could save over $1 million in utility bills.
Also, energy efficient appliances use 2 to 10 times less energy for the same level of functionality while compact fluorescent bulbs use four times less energy and last eight times longer than incandescent bulbs, according to ecologicalfootprint.org. This is not only lowering carbon emissions, but taking less out of your pocket at the end of each month. As well, line drying clothes saves 3 to 4 kilowatt hours per load – about 5 pounds of carbon dioxide, and simply washing in cold or warm water saves on electricity. You can also lower the thermostat, turn lights off, and unplug chargers to help move towards a ‘greener’ society.
Food
A plant-based diet is significantly less land- and energy-intensive than a diet with a high proportion of meat, seafood, and dairy. A recent study found that a low-fat vegetarian diet needs 0.18 hectares per person per year while a high-fat diet with lots of meat needs 0.85 hectares because animals need so much more room. And because meat production drives deforestation and requires high inputs of energy, it also comes with a high carbon footprint. According to a United Nations report released in 2006, approximately 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption.
However, a vegan or vegetarian diet may not be for you. Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce your global impact according to diet and consumption. Purchasing local, seasonal and organic produce from suppliers such as Racine Santé (178 rue Queen), Patisserie Greens (127 rue Queen) and the ‘pick your own’ fruit and vegetable patch located on the corner of Gilbert-Hyatt and Route Louis-S.-St.-Laurent (only a fifteen minute bike ride from campus) can significantly reduce your consumption footprint. Also, eating less meat, reducing food waste, ensuring kitchenware is reusable, and investing in a travel mug and Tupperware help to promote a more sustainable way of life.
Two important variables affecting your food footprint are food mileage (kilometers from farm to market) and the amount of processing and packaging. If your food comes from far away, such as imported out of season produce, it requires lots of energy for transportation and refrigeration. Buying organic and local, from farmers’ markets and other locally owned sources largely reduces these global impacts.
Transitioning from global to local food production is one of the hardest challenges in the era of peak oil, climate change, and growing economic and political insecurity. However, small scale food production at the local level relieves the enormous environmental stress and impacts associated with industrial agriculture.
Water
Household water requires energy for transportation and treatment. It also uses resources that could have other environmental benefits—such as irrigation or in-stream flow for fish and wildlife. These impacts significantly increase one’s ecological footprint. According to ecologicalfootprint.org, it has been found that by installing water saving features, such as water-efficient showerheads, and adopting conservation habits, like taking shorter showers, one can reduce their water footprint by 60%.
Also, cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals that can have serious health effects and contaminate fresh water supplies. Environmental damage also occurs during the development, manufacturing, and transportation of these hazardous products. Fortunately, biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives have been produced and, with growing technology, are becoming more reasonably priced and accessible. For example, Clorox has recently come out with a line of cleaning products under the Green Works label, which have been recognized in North America for being both environmentally friendly and safe for household use. Choosing these alternatives can significantly reduce or eliminate your global impact on fresh water supplies.
Waste
Of course, recycling has significant environmental and economic benefits such as reduced landfill space, fewer demands for raw materials, less energy consumption, less pollution, lower waste-disposal bills, and cheaper goods. However, as communities strive toward a Zero-Waste economy, it is important to try to Reduce the amount you initially consume, as well as Reuse it, before Recycling. A Zero-Waste society doesn’t aim to manage waste, but eliminate it in the first place.
Most importantly, it’s your responsibility to take initiative. Get informed about global sustainability and environmental concerns on the Bishop’s campus. You can go online and find out how big your ecological footprint is, and what you can do to help at Myfootprint.org. The Environmental Club meets every Monday at 8 PM at Paterson Hall. Everyone is welcome.
