Students of GRC can make a difference.

by · December 10, 2021

Last month, Governor Jay Inslee was in Glasgow, Scotland attending the U.N. Climate Summit. Part of the Pacific Coast Collaborative, Inslee joined other leaders for the launch of the Low Carbon Construction Task Force. Said Inslee, “Washington and the PCC region are leaders in demonstrating how strategies to reduce climate pollution also create good jobs and a strong economy”. A spokesperson from the governor’s office stated he will lead a team of governors and mayors committed to making measurable progress to slash greenhouse gases emission in half by 2030. 

On Nov. 7, Inslee issued an executive order committing to having vehicles owned by Washington state go electric by 2040. The pledge goes further with zero light-duty state vehicles by 2035 and zero medium to heavy-duty state vehicles by 2040. “This is a big challenge for everyone on the planet”, said Inslee, “I’m really glad to represent a state that is leading the charge. We are all in this together and when you’re with a group of people from around the world, it is heartening, it is inspiring and it’s a good day to be a Washingtonian.

But these actions alone will not alone solve the greenhouse gas emissions problem. Which leads one to ask, what can we do, as students at GRC and elsewhere to help? Reducing reusing, and recycling are all good places to start. Here are a few other ways in which we can alter our daily routines to help the global pollution problem:

  • Use a reusable bottle or thermos instead of one-use plastic bottles, and encourage campuses to install water filling stations on campus.
  • Drive less. Walk, bike, scooter, or skateboard to class whenever possible. In addition to reducing your carbon footprint, it helps you stay fit and engage with the community.
  • Reduce meat consumption. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, if every American would eat one meat-free meal per week it would equate to taking 5 million cars off the road annually. 
  • Buy clothes second-hand or one that is ethically made. 
  • Lower that thermostat. Instead, add rugs to help insulate and wrap up in a warm comforter or blanket.
  • Switch to a laptop. Laptops use up to 90% less energy that desktop computers.