food

Ways to celebrate Earth Day

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:48:58 +0000

Ways to celebrate Earth Day Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/14/2023 - 13:48

Earth Day began in 1970 as more people in the United States and across the globe became aware of the environmental impact caused by humans. Before the 1970’s, many people considered air and water pollution a normal and expected part of life. Celebrating Earth Day each year is vital because it recognizes the harm caused to the environment while showing support across the globe for protecting the Earth. You can take steps this Earth Day to support sustainability through your own collective and individual actions.

How to contribute to Earth Day every day

You can be a part of Earth Day by coming together with the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder community to protect our planet. Whether you are on campus or not, you can get involved and make a difference in numerous ways. Here are some of the ways you can participate in Earth Day today and every day.

Participate in advocacy: One of the best ways to make a difference is through advocacy. You can sign petitions and participate in Earth Day events on campus and in your community. You can also write to your local, state and national officials. Ask them to support legislation that protects our planet.
Sustainable fashion: Fast fashion negatively impacts the environment by increasing clothing waste and pollution from textile production. Donate or sell your unwanted clothing instead of throwing items away to reduce waste and give your clothes a new life. You can also make an impact by shopping at thrift stores, buying fewer new clothing items and supporting brands that intentionally support sustainability in their production processes.
Take part in a community or global cleanup: The Environmental Center hosts events to support sustainability locally, like their Boulder Creek cleanup and the annual Campus Sustainability Summit. If you're not in Boulder, you can search for cleanup opportunities in your area or connect with a local organization to offer your support.
Make your next meal plant-based: Choosing more plant-based meals can help lower carbon emissions and reduce the impact of food production on the environment. Transition your breakfast, lunch or dinner to plant-based options and look for plant-based meals at the dining halls on campus. While you can opt for a fully vegan diet, choosing one plant-based meal a day can still have an impact.
Get inspired: Explore ways to take action and make a difference throughout the year. A few standout ideas include picking up trash while you run (hello, plogging), switching to reusable bags, meal prepping and growing a container garden on your patio.
Join the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ community via the AWorld App: The AWorld app supports the United Nations ActNow campaign, encouraging individual action on climate change. Once you download the app, you can join the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ community to track your sustainable actions. Actions include daily tasks like meditating, eating a vegetarian or vegan meal, carpooling or taking public transportation.

Remember, every small action adds up to make a significant impact. Let's work together to create a sustainable future for generations to come. These are just a few examples of how you can make a difference.

The impacts of Earth Day

Since its inception, Earth Day has continued to grow and increase awareness of environmental issues and the actions people can take to support sustainability.

Just one year after the first Earth Day, 25% of Americans believed protecting the environment was important.
In the years that followed, many national environmental policies passed, including:
The Clean Air Act
The Water Quality Improvement Act
The Endangered Species Act
The Toxic Substances Control Act
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
The Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1970, following the first Earth Day marches.
Earth Day celebrations every April 22 continue to make an impact across the globe.

The importance of Earth Day

Earth Day is an annual reminder that climate change has a major impact on our planet, our lives and our future. It can also increase awareness and drives change. Earth Day continues to evolve and add value to sustainability movements across the globe.

Earth Day provides a day to focus on education about environmental issues affecting our planet.
Demonstrations on Earth Day help signal to government representatives the importance of environmental issues to their constituents.
Earth Day sets aside a day each year to reflect on the significance of the planet's health and what we can all do to positively impact our environment.
Earth Day has influenced major national policy in the past and will continue to do so.

The history of Earth Day

Author Rachel Caron released her book Silent Spring in 1962. The book brought attention to how the use of harmful chemicals, such as DDT, caused everlasting damage to wildlife, nature and people, and it called for humans to act responsibly as stewards of the living earth.

Caron’s book motivated Junior Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin to create Earth Day. He selected April 22 because it fell perfectly between spring break and final exams and would allow space for college students to get involved.

On April 22, 1970, an estimated 20 million people gathered at schools, universities and community centers across the U.S. to host inaugural events that brought awareness to the need for more environmental laws. These events also brought attention to a wide variety of environmental issues.

Denis Hayes, who helped organize the first Earth Day with Gaylord Nelson, went on to found the Earth Day Network, which spread Earth Day internationally, helping organize events in over 141 countries.

Earth Day Monumental Moments:

1970: First Earth Day celebrated.
1990: Twentieth anniversary, an estimated 200 million people in over 141 countries celebrate.
2010: Fortieth anniversary, an estimated 1 billion people worldwide gathered to celebrate.
2020: Fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day, in-person events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but people globally celebrated via social media.

Want to learn more? Check out the official Earth Day website for more information on the history of Earth Day, different projects you can participate in and simple ways to change the planet. You can also connect with the Environmental Center to learn ways to get involved.

April 22 is only one day each year, but you can treat every day like Earth Day!

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Ways to reduce food waste

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:42:08 +0000

Ways to reduce food waste Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/14/2023 - 13:42

In the United States, 103 million tons of food are wasted annually, with the average person generating one pound of food waste daily. Food waste includes any edible food that is discarded instead of being consumed.

While often discussed in climate change conversations, reducing food waste also impacts other areas of life. By intentionally decreasing food waste, you can save money and consume better-quality foods. Here is information about food waste and how to reduce it.

Top wasted foods

Bread, milk and potatoes are the top foods typically thrown out each year. Keep this in mind when grocery shopping. Buy only what you need or can use before it goes bad. It can be helpful to also plan meals around the items you already have on hand rather than going to the store for more.

Expiration dates

One reason Americans waste so much food is due to misunderstanding expiration dates. The "best if used by" date refers to when a product will be at peak flavor or quality, while the "sell by" date tells the store how long they can display the product for sale. The "use by" date is the last date recommended to consume the product at peak quality. The "freeze by" date indicates when to freeze a product to maintain peak flavor or quality.

Composting

When you need to toss out food, consider composting it instead. The campus composting policy has recently changed due to changes with the composting service provider. Only food scraps and yard or plant trimmings are compostable on campus. Food scraps include bread, bones, cheese, eggshells, coffee grounds and produce. Yard and plant trimmings include leaves, twigs, flowers and grass.

Shop smarter

Before you grocery shop, take time to get organized. Make a weekly meal plan and only buy the foods you need to cover your planned meals and snacks. Create a shopping list to keep you on track at the store. This not only helps prevent food waste but can also help you save money. If you have leftover food, consider creative ways to incorporate those items into your daily meals and snacks or freeze leftovers to use later. Check out more meal planning tips.

Use foods in season

When you plan meals, consider items that are in season. There are many benefits to getting foods that are fresh and local. They taste better, have higher nutritional value and are more environmentally friendly. The ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Department of Agriculture has an easy-to-use guide that can help you pick local fruits and vegetables based on the season.

Find creative ways to save your food

Even with the best meal and food shopping plans, you can sometimes end up with more food than you can use. Here are a few tips to use the food you have on hand instead of letting it go bad.

Freeze fruits and vegetables to use later.
You can extend the life of herbs or save them for later by storing them whole in a freezer bag or chopping them and storing them in oil in an ice cube tray. You can also dry fresh herbs by hanging them in a dry location and then, once dry, crushing and storing them in glass jars.
When you notice fruits or vegetables going bad in a bunch, separate the good ones to keep and discard the spoiled ones. This will help the good ones stay that way longer.
Create an “eat first section” in your fridge for the items with the shortest shelf life so you can remember to use those first.
Use leftover vegetables to make vegetable stock, which you can store in glass jars in the fridge or freeze to use later. This is also a great way to use any scraps you may have from preparing other dishes. Simply keep your scraps in a freezer-safe bag and pull them out once you’ve accumulated enough for a good pot of stock.

With a little effort, you can save money by using and saving your food instead of throwing it out.

Reduce food waste to practice sustainability

By reducing food waste, we can all do our part in creating a sustainable future. Start by double-checking expiration dates before throwing food away and consider composting instead of tossing items in the trash. With small changes to our daily routines, we can make a big impact on reducing food waste. Don't forget to track your sustainable actions in the AWorld app! It makes it easy to see your positive impact on the environment. Download the app and join the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ team today!

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The power of individual actions: rethinking your carbon footprint

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 21:42:47 +0000

The power of individual actions: rethinking your carbon footprint Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/12/2023 - 14:42

The term 'carbon footprint' echoes in our ears as a familiar buzzword, but grappling with how to minimize it can be a daunting task. Seeking support from your community can transform this task into a more accessible and rewarding endeavor.

Your Impact & Carbon Footprint

At its core, a carbon footprint is the sum total of greenhouse gases produced by our daily actions. Whether it's how we commute, what we eat, what we purchase, or how we dispose of our waste, each decision leaves an imprint on the planet. Think of it as a way to see how much pollution we create. According to the Nature Conservancy, a carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by our actions. Individuals can track their carbon footprints by looking at the things they do every day. Students at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder have a wonderful opportunity to use the AWorld app to not only calculate your footprint but help you lessen it. How you get to work, what you choose to eat, what you purchase in a day, and your recycling or disposal habits all have a direct impact on your carbon footprint.

By assessing your carbon footprint, you gain insight into how small changes can make a substantial difference. Imagine if we all embraced these changes collectively; now, you don’t have to, as you can witness the impact our community is making by joining the campus community on the AWorld app.

Each of us holds the potential to be a steward for the environment. By acknowledging the impact of our choices and implementing small, positive changes, we can collectively forge a more sustainable future. Let's embark on this journey together, armed with the knowledge that even the smallest adjustments can leave a lasting imprint on the health of our planet. Join the movement – download the AWorld App and witness the transformative power of our community in action.

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ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder's plant-powered protein stations: tasty, green and good for you!

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 21:01:52 +0000

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder's plant-powered protein stations: tasty, green and good for you! Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/12/2023 - 14:01

Elevate your plate and embrace a greener, healthier lifestyle at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder! Campus Dining Services is proud to announce the launch of its new Plant-Powered Protein stations in the dining halls at the Village Center and C4C. These centralized stations are offering climate-friendly protein options for students, faculty and staff.

The introduction of these plant-powered protein stations reflects a growing global movement towards more sustainable food choices. As global awareness grows regarding the environmental impact of animal agriculture, adopting a plant-based lifestyle offers a chance to reduce our carbon footprint. ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder's initiative aligns perfectly with the university's commitment to environmental stewardship and its dedication to cultivating responsible citizens of the world.

Beyond environmental benefits, the new plant-powered protein stations prioritize health and wellness. When we eat a diet consisting of whole foods and plants there is great potential for lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. By incorporating more plant-based options into daily diets, the campus community can put themselves and the planet first! See what is being served when with the Nutrislice website.

These new stations will feature a diverse and delectable range of eco-friendly and protein-rich options that are in line with ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ’s longstanding value of sustainability and existing vegan options. Located at the heart of the C4C and Village Center, the add-on stations will allow students the opportunity to create their own balanced plant-based meals from the options provided. From chickpeas to edamame and grains, choosing plant-based proteins first has never been easier.

Plant-based eating is not about eliminating all animal products from your diet. Instead, it's about embracing a balanced approach to nutrition that includes choosing plants first. According to ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ registered dietitian nutritionist Lisa Whalen, a holistic approach to health is key. Lisa emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded plate. "Having lean protein, fruits and vegetables all contribute to different aspects of health…gradually incorporating more plant-based meals into people’s diets is important.” These centralized plant-powered protein stations will allow students, faculty and staff to complement their favorite choices from other stations and build a well-rounded plate.

The new stations were implemented over the summer to help students find healthy plant-proteins in one centralized spot. “We have always offered an abundance of plant forward foods. But we wanted to have something available to customers in a centralized location, so that the items are easier to find.” In the past, these kinds of options were scattered throughout the dining halls, which made it difficult for students to find and enjoy.

Plant-based diets have been shown to use fewer natural resources, like land and water, and emit fewer greenhouse gasses compared to traditional animal-based diets while also adding multiple positive health benefits. By choosing plants first, the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder community contributes directly to reducing the university's ecological footprint while inspiring healthier eating habits both on and off campus. According to Lisa, having accessible and delicious plant-protein options on campus can encourage students to try more plant-based protein options off campus. She encourages us to “try a new vegetable or fruit each week- take baby steps and be adventurous!”

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder's initiative to introduce centralized plant-powered protein stations represents a significant step forward in aligning sustainable practices with everyday choices. By providing an even wider range of delicious and nutritious plant-protein options, the university not only promotes health and wellness but also underscores its commitment to environmental conservation. As the campus community indulges in these plant-based delights, we are contributing to changing social norms and systems for a brighter, greener and healthier future for all.

Elevate your plate and embrace a greener, healthier lifestyle at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder! Campus Dining Services is proud to announce the launch of its new Plant Powered Protein stations in the dining halls at the Village Center and C4C.

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How to identify greenwashing and make sustainable buying decisions

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 17:09:04 +0000

How to identify greenwashing and make sustainable buying decisions Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/27/2023 - 11:09

Lauren Mullen

As consumers focus more on the environmental impact of products, companies look to cash in by identifying their products as sustainable or environmentally friendly. However, not all brands follow the practices they claim. When businesses falsely promote their products' environmental or sustainable benefits, it is called greenwashing.

Some examples of greenwashing include a company saying their products are made entirely of recycled materials when they only use a portion of recycled materials. Or a company claims each purchased product leads to planting a tree, but the company doesn’t follow through with the accurate number of trees. Greenwashing usually includes exaggerations that mislead customers.

Are environmental claims regulated?

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects consumers by enforcing laws to ensure a fair marketplace. Here are some of the current guidelines put in place.

Packaging and advertising should explain the product’s green claims in easy-to-understand terms.
Environmental marketing claims should specify whether they refer to the product, packaging or both.
Marketing claims should not overstate, directly or indirectly, an environmental attribute or benefit.

How to avoid greenwashing

As a consumer, your best tool to combat greenwashing is research. Investigate the brand before purchasing products that claim to be sustainable to ensure their practices match their claims.

You can start by reading online product reviews or researching the resources a company uses to produce its products. Almost every product type has an environmental certification, like clothes, furniture and household goods. Cradle2Cradle is a popular certification that many consumers trust. In this case, you can search for certified products and review the level of sustainability.

Watch for these common greenwashing practices when researching products.

Unclear language or terms with no specific meaning or implication, like eco-friendly.
Suggestive images that give an unjustified green impression without providing specific data about the product or brand.
Irrelevant claims with a heavy emphasis on one small green attribute without mention of how the rest of the company works.
A claim that might be correct, but the company provides no evidence to support the claim.

Implementing sustainable buying habits

Becoming a conscious consumer can benefit the environment, your wallet and the quality of your products.

Try to borrow or reuse items and buy second-hand or local when you can. Also, take the time to find out what you’re purchasing before you spend your money. You may have to read between the lines to discover the truth about brands. The effort you make in the beginning will save time and benefit your future buying decisions.

Take a holistic approach to the process when making purchase decisions. If you find a sustainable brand that ships from across the world, then it may not make sense for you to make the purchase. Also, be aware that genuinely sustainable products may cost more. If the product is sustainable, it will likely be of a higher quality that lasts longer, making the extra money upfront worth it in the long run. For example, fast fashion is cheap but lower quality and wears out quicker.

The Bottom Line

As a consumer, voting with your dollar and buying sustainably sourced and durable products is important. However, be aware of companies trying to profit from your desire to live a sustainable lifestyle by researching the companies you support.

You can download the AWorld app from ActNow to track your sustainable actions, learn ways to implement sustainability into your daily life and participate in challenges with others in the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ community.

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Earth Day is a global affair

Anonymous — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Earth Day is a global affair Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 04/08/2023 - 00:00

Earth Week is here and it's time for all of us to come together and do our part to protect our planet. Whether you are on ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s campus or not, there are numerous ways you can get involved and make a difference. Here are six ways you can participate in Earth Week:

Participate in advocacy: One of the best ways to make a difference is by advocating for our planet. Sign an Earth Day petition or attend the Campus Climate Action Plan Town Hall and participate in the following breakout sessions. You can also write to your local officials in Boulder or wherever you are registered to vote. Ask them to support legislation that protects our planet.
Sustainable fashion: Don't throw away your clothes! Instead, donate them or check out the bins at the Drop 'N' Swap event on April 25 in Boulder. This is a great way to reduce waste and give your clothes a new life.
Take part in a community or global cleanup: Attend the 30th Annual Campus Sustainability Summit on April 19-20, or participate in the Boulder Creek Earth Month Cleanup on April 27. If you're not in Boulder, you can search for a cleanup in your area via Earthday.org.
Make your next meal plant-based: Transition your breakfast, lunch and dinner to plant-based options. Look for plant-based meals at the C4C on campus. A few places to check out plant-based recipes include Delish and Food Network.
Get inspired! There are many ways to participate in Earth Day 2023 and make a difference throughout the whole year. Earthday.org has a phenomenal list of ways to take action. A few standout ideas include picking up trash while you run, switching to reusable bags, meal prepping and growing a garden.
Join the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ community via the AWorld App: The app's goal is to support the United Nations ActNow campaign that encourages individual action on climate change. Once you download the app, you can join the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ community and track your sustainable actions. A few actions you can log include meditating, eating a vegetarian or vegan meal, carpooling or taking public transportation.

Remember, every small action adds up to make a big impact. Let's work together to create a sustainable future for generations to come. These six ways are just a few examples of how you can make a difference.

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Common misconceptions about food waste: what it is and how to reduce it

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Common misconceptions about food waste: what it is and how to reduce it Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/04/2023 - 00:00

Food waste is a prevalent topic in climate change conversations; we are often urged to make changes surrounding our diets and composting. But what is food waste, and how can we reduce the amount we create on a daily basis? Simply put, food waste is edible food that is discarded instead of being consumed. In the U.S. alone, 103 million tons of food is wasted every year, with the average person generating one pound of food waste daily. Here are some common misconceptions about food waste and how to reduce it:

Top Wasted Foods

The top foods and products that are typically thrown out each year include bread, milk and potatoes. Keep this in mind the next time you're grocery shopping.

Expiration Dates

One reason why Americans waste so much food is due to misunderstanding expiration dates. The "Best If Used By" date refers to when a product will be at peak flavor or quality, while the "Sell By" date tells the store how long they can display the product for sale. The "Use By" date is the last date recommended to consume the product while it's at peak quality. The "Freeze By" date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak flavor or quality.

Composting

If you need to toss out food, consider composting it first. ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ's composting policy has recently changed, and the only items that can be composted on campus are food scraps and yard/plant trimmings. Food scraps include bread, bones, cheese, eggshells, coffee grounds and produce. Yard and plant trimmings include leaves, twigs, flowers and grass. You can read more here.

By reducing food waste, we can all do our part in creating a sustainable future. Start by double checking expiration dates before throwing food away, and consider composting instead of tossing it in the trash. With small changes to our daily routines, we can make a big impact on reducing food waste. Don't forget to track your sustainable actions in the AWorld app! From April 15 through June 15, track your Sustainable Buff actions using the AWorld app. The first 500 participants to join the challenge will earn a free stasher bag. For each Buffs action logged, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ will invest $1 toward campus conservation and local carbon sequestration projects, up to $10,000. Participants will be invited to vote on the project to be funded.

Download the app and join the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ team today!

Learn about food waste and how to reduce it in your daily life. Discover common misconceptions, top wasted foods and tips for composting.

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Sustainable habits for 2023

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Sustainable habits for 2023 Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 01/27/2023 - 00:00

The University of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder is home to some of the leading sustainability programs and environmental research in the nation! As Sustainable Buffs, it is our duty to be mindful of our habits and take full advantage of the opportunities we have in Boulder to be as sustainable as possible in our everyday lives. By holding ourselves accountable with integrity, we promote a more balanced future of energy exchanges that are regenerative to the earth, rather than exploiting our environment. Join the legacy of passionate ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ students on the forefront of sustainability by adopting these simple sustainable habits.

Plan your grocery shopping

There are many ways to consciously approach shopping for food. As college students, we are just learning how to stock our refrigerators and take care of ourselves, which often results in unnecessary food waste. By planning beforehand rather than shopping impulsively, you can avoid wasting money and food. One way to shop mindfully is to plan your meals for the week and find recipes before you go shopping. Another tactic for mindful shopping is to tune into your body and what you need, versus what you may want at the moment. Rather than going to the store while hungry, try to eat before so you can shop with a clear head. A great place to shop sustainably is Nude Foods, a zero waste grocery store in Boulder. You are allowed to keep the glass jars they sell food in, which is great for storage. It's also a good idea to bring your own bags and avoid unsustainable packaging when possible.

If you are struggling to afford groceries, schedule an appointment to visit ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ’s Buff Pantry, which is located in the UMC next to the bookstore downstairs. To make an appointment, first click the “Join” button on Buff Pantry’s ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Serves page to fill out the client intake form. From there, you can schedule a time to come in and pick up some free food!

Compost

Composting your food waste is a simple way to be sustainable in your daily life. When you throw food waste in the trash, it releases methane, is not as easily broken down and is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Excess methane in the atmosphere is one of the leading causes of climate change. When we compost our food waste, we create the foundation for valuable, nutrient rich soil as the food breaks down. Student environmental activists have worked hard to further composting efforts all over campus. Green composting receptacles can be found at all of the main waste stations as well as the bathrooms on campus. To learn more about proper composting practices, check out this Composting 101 guide. It is vital for the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ community to get on board with composting. Recently, students, faculty and staff have not been composting correctly. This has led compost to become an expense to our school rather than a return on our investment, which threatens the future of our composting initiatives. We all need to learn to compost our food waste properly, or we may not have the option to do so on campus in the future due to the contamination of the waste streams, which are very difficult and costly to sort.

Eat organic

Soil is alive with microorganisms that we need to grow food. Pesticides kill these essential organisms that make up the microbiome of the soil. By choosing to eat organically, we support the organic food system and farmers who are doing this vital work to help us nourish our bodies. You can purchase organic produce at the local farmer's market.

Use public transit

As a Buff, you have a free RTD pass. Boulder has some of the most clean, comfortable and most efficient buses that are constantly running to get you where you need to go. The average traffic volume in Boulder on a given day is very high as a result of students and professionals commuting in and out of the city. One of the leading causes of global warming in our atmosphere is the pollution byproducts from transportation. Not only are there environmental incentives to limit traffic on the road, but also monetary ones as the prices of gas have been volatile. Take the bus! It is so easy and you can save hundreds in gas money, while also saving energy by taking the bus to get around.

Boulder is a microcosm of sustainable opportunities for ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ students in terms of transportation, compost and healthy food. We can take these values with us as we grow into our positions in a workplace in the future. Practical everyday solutions exist all around us and consumers do have power to drive the market of sustainable developments. “Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production are root causes of the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution" (UN SDG Report 2022). If our patterns of consumption can do so much damage, choosing sustainable habits can propel humanity in a new direction with regards to our relationship to the environment. Although one person’s choices won’t restore the earth right away, the collective effort of many can shift our economy over time as we start to value sustainability in our everyday consumption choices.

DIY project: grow your own organic herbs on the windowsill

What you will need:

seeds for your favorite herbs (cilantro, chives, parsley, basil and rosemary are some popular ones)
a well-lit windowsill or grow lights
nutrient-rich soil
containers/pots

Fill a container with soil and sprinkle with seeds, covering the seeds again with a layer of soil. Pat gently. Keep the soil moist but not too damp as the seeds germinate and follow the watering instructions specific to each herb. Make sure you label them so you remember which herb is which. If you choose to add fertilizer to the soil, make sure to use one labeled safe for edible plants. Soon after, you will sprout affordable, organic, packaging-free herbs from your home!

The E-Center can help you become a Sustainable Buff! Save money and energy through the cultivation of everyday sustainable habits to start the new year off right.

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Lowering your carbon footprint

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Lowering your carbon footprint Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 01/27/2023 - 00:00

Carbon footprint is something we have all heard about, read about and probably talked about in class, but do we truly understand what it means and its role in our lives? Probably not.

According to the Nature Conservatory, carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses generated by our actions. Every person, company or entity has a carbon footprint. Individuals' carbon footprints can be tracked based on their daily actions and emissions. How you get to work, what you choose to eat, what you purchase in a day and what you recycle or throw away. All of these actions directly contribute to your personal carbon footprint. The larger the footprint, the greater the impact on the planet; but, the size of your carbon footprint can be changed with changes to your lifestyle.

By calculating your personal footprint, you’ll be able to better understand what changes to make to your lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint. Making small changes over time can lead to great change. If we all make small changes, we can see a reduction in our carbon footprint.

A few simple changes that will reduce our carbon footprint include:

Eat less meat. Experts say that eating a vegan diet is best for the planet, and reducing the amount of meat you eat -- red meat in particular -- has a positive impact on the planet.
- Try to eat foods that are low on the food chain, such as nuts, fruits and vegetables.
- Swapping one or two meals a week to vegan or vegetarian is a great place to start.
Reduce food waste. It’s estimated that Americans waste roughly 40% of the food they purchase. Cutting down on food waste will reduce your carbon footprint and help you save money.
- Planning your meals out ahead of grocery shopping will allow you to buy exactly what you plan to eat, eliminating waste and saving money.
- Freeze leftovers or produce before they go bad.
Turn it off. Turn off lights and appliances when you leave the room to save energy and money.
- Keep your heat and water heater set to a lower temperature.
- Use LED lights in all light fixtures in your dorm, apartment or house.
Shop sustainably. Purchase from second-hand and thrift stores to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Something to keep in mind when you shop for clothes is that as the price of our clothes drop, the costs to us and the world around us increase.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/

https://www.conservation.org/stories/what-is-a-carbon-footprint

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Sustainability and fall: recipes for the whole season

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Sustainability and fall: recipes for the whole season Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/11/2022 - 00:00

Temperatures are dropping, and leaves are starting to change colors, signaling that fall is making its way to campus and Boulder. As it does, many of us will turn to cooking and baking to welcome the new season. Before diving into a fall favorite Pinterest recipe, look into what fruits, vegetables and herbs are in season. This time of year, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables are in season: pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, collard greens, kale, apricots, apples, cantaloupes and leeks. Be on the lookout for these ingredients the next time you stop by the farmers market or grocery store. There are many benefits to getting foods that are in season -- they taste better, have higher nutritional value and it’s more environmentally friendly!

Two recipes that highlight and utilize in-season ingredients are butternut squash soup and pumpkin bars. Both recipes are perfect for a fall get-together or meal prep for a week. With the pumpkin bars, if you’re feeling adventurous, instead of purchasing pre-made pumpkin puree you can make your own! By making your own puree, you cut back on waste and have plenty of seeds to roast. Pumpkin seeds are a great fall snack and are chock full of valuable nutrients.

Try cooking using local ingredients and finding recipes that are good for you while also being good for the planet. If you want to learn more about sustainable and local food systems, you should register to tour a local farm, where you will have the chance to learn about regenerative farming and how it can help transform our food system.

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