5 foolproof ways to go green
It's Go Green week here at Middlesex and there's no better time to make some simple changes that will make all the difference to the world!
We picked out 5 of the most practical and satisfying ways to be a part of the solution to climate change.
1. Become a feastarian
Becoming vegetarian (or better yet, vegan) is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint - this is because livestock need to have land to live on AND food grown for them - something that backfires on us when we cut down oxygen-creating forests to make space for it all!
But becoming vegetarian is a big step to take if you’re used to eating meat most days. An easy yet effective way to cut back on your meat eating is to become a feastarian and save it as a treat - something for special ‘feasts.’
This could mean savouring meat for social occasions - family events, dinner dates, housemate meals - or only buying UK produced, organic meat at the supermarket as an occasional treat. Eating meat just a couple of times a week is a huge improvement to having it every day - in one year, you’ll skip 260 portions. At least.
And the best bit? Absence makes the heart grow fonder - the meat you do eat it will taste better than ever!
Saving meat for special occasions makes it *even more* delicious
2. Fix up look sharp!
Your book bag has a rip in it, your iPhone charger is fraying, and the buttons fell off your cardigan.
It’s tempting to throw old things away when Primark and eBay make replacing things inexpensive, but shipping electronics from China and buying the cheapest possible clothes has a big cost on the environment. Luckily, taking 5 minutes time out to repair things avoids these issues and bypasses your wallet!
All you need to do is think creatively. Wrap some duct tape or masking tape around your charger to stop a frayed patch from expanding and messing with your Apple ‘juice.’ Watch a Youtube tutorial to learn how to sew a button properly. Have a clothing craft + repair session with friends instead of buying new. And then revel in your resourcefulness!
3. Travel smart
Driving is a popular way to get to campus, but it does have a tendency to burn up money. If you and your housemates or coursemates drive, invite them to carpool with you.
Taking it in turns to drive will save you all petrol money, make parking on campus way easier and help cut down on fumes in the streets of Hendon.
Cycling is another brilliant way to get to and from university - once you have a bike, you burn no fossil fuel, you spend no travel money, AND you get fit. Plus, you’ll never get another parking ticket!
The streets of London are full of routes that are cycle-friendly - your commute could change from traffic-jammed dual carriageways to breezy canal paths. Head to the TFL Cycle Journey Planner to see what London has in store for your journey.
Carpooling: the fast lane to happiness
4. Flick the switch
Yep, it’s that simple - turning lights off when you leave the room is a great way to save energy. It’s also an even better way to save money. Win/win!
Shutting down your computer after a long day’s work will also save you money and energy - plus it’ll help the computer last longer. Burn-out computers are often the ones that are worked too hard, so backing up your dissertation and shutting it all down is the best way to give both you and your machine a break.
You can save the environment every day!
5. Supersize it
Your efforts to go green are so important - every little change you make contributes to a positive new world. And you aren’t alone! Millions of people across the globe are doing their bit, and some of them are closer to home than you think. Meet with like-minded students on campus and share ideas for making an impact where it matters most - right here :)
MDXSU is a good starting place for building a green community - we offer you financial support and advice on campaigning for change, as well as venues for meetings.
If you’d like to make going green a campuswide project and increase the positive impacts you’re making by hundreds (maybe even thousands) - we’re here for you!
Students at Green-League-topping university Manchester Met
Whatever you get up to for Go Green week and beyond, it all helps. Let us know what you do, and if you have any questions or want to set up a new green initiative, just drop us an email :)
studentopportunities@mdxsu.com
