Be Apart of the Change

Be Apart of the Change

            Over the years, our planet and environment has undergone significant damage through common actions we, humans, unintentionally do every day. While our planet has already experienced major destruction, there is still countless ways we could help make our planet healthier. In the following essay, I will be addressing actions revolving around agricultural growth and food consumption that humans can act upon. By living a lifestyle that involves urban gardening, zero waste living, and sustainable food alternatives, we can positively aid our planet, atmosphere, and environment to help restore it again. 

            Urban gardening is one out of the three simple tasks that can be implemented into our lives that can cause positive change to our world. Ron Finely, a man from South Los Angeles, firmly believes in the powerful transformation of soil; he thinks by getting soil, planting something in it, and then watering it can feed one’s self. He confidently believes that edible gardens are the cure to city health, poverty, and gang violence issues. Mr. Finely works for a volunteer organization called L.A. Green Grounds, which he actually helped found three years ago. He spends most of his time in this organization, even though he receives no salary. This shows how important he thinks it is to society, especially in areas like South Los Angeles, which is considered a food desert. L.A. Green Grounds is an organization that installs vegetable gardens in vacant lots and sidewalk areas.

             Mr. Finely was able to get his name known across the globe as the TED talk he did got over 900,000 views. Mr. Finely’s ultimate goal is to take the 26 square miles of vacant lots in Los Angeles and plant vegetable gardens in them. He believes that by putting young children, who are typically on the streets, in activities involved with gardening and making their own food, it’ll help them gain a more successful life in the future because it would teach them responsibility, discipline, and leadership skills. Additionally, if they’re growing their own food at a young age, they learn to eat healthy foods like vegetables instead of buying cheap, unhealthy fast food. In addition, urban gardening also helps foster stronger-knit communities. It enforces and encourages interpersonal interactions between neighbors and community members. For example, people would exchange knowledge of how and what to grow, swap seeds, and share labor tasks with one another. Thus, not only does urban gardening produce fresh, organic food, but it also produces a blossoming of interdependence within communities. 

            Zero waste living is the second simple task that can be implemented into our lives that can cause positive change to our world. Zero waste living is a process that strives to eliminate as much trash from households as possible. It has several positive benefits; one being that it significantly reduces one’s own carbon footprint. According to a study in Science Advances, 91% of plastic around the world does not get recycled, and 79% of plastic ends up in landfills or other parts of the environment. If these extremely high rates continue, the study estimates that by 2050, about 12,000 metric tons of plastic will end up in landfills. The process has five main steps. The first step consists of “The 5R’s,” which are refuse what you don’t need, reduce what you need, reuse what you eat, recycle what you can’t refuse, reuse and reduce, and rot the rest. The second step is to say no to the little things, such as business cards, straws, and plastic bags. The third step is to make sure you are eating real food, not processed foods. Foods like fruits, vegetables, and really anything that does not come in packages are great for our planet since it reduces plastic waste. The fourth step is to try to use less amounts of everything. This could include less amount of soap or toothpaste used. The fifth and last step is to join a zero waste community to receive support and motivation from others doing the same thing. As you can see, having a zero waste lifestyle is very doable and it helps our planet and environment in a tremendous way. Some essential products for this process are reusable water bottles, reusable straws and utensils, cloth bags, and handkerchiefs.

            Implementing sustainable food alternatives is the third simple task that can be implemented into our lives that can cause positive change to our world. The U.S.’s food system includes a diverse amount of low-cost food. The way many Americans eat is harming our planet, as most people consume processed and fast foods. This is problematic for several reasons. Firstly, these types of food are unhealthy to one’s body. Secondly, processed foods are packed, therefore, increasing waste production. However, there are simple solutions and sustainable alternatives to these issues in relations to the U.S.’s food system. Firstly, eat locally. A study conducted by the Leopold Center showed that if Iowa’s consumption of regionally grown produce were increased by 10%, they would successfully save over 300,000 gallons of fuel each year. Fresh produce from supermarkets use so much fuel and gas, therefore, by attending local food systems like farmer’s markets, it could greatly reduce harmful gases and waste. Secondly, eat less meat. A diet that contains meat uses double the amount of energy to make than a vegetarian’s diet. Thirdly, eat organically. Farms that are organic don’t use chemicals, which abstain from producing energy, polluting soil and water, and from effecting human health. Fourthly, use your refrigerator less. The use of home refrigeration uses 13% of energy used by our food system. By buying a smaller refrigerator, it could really reduce energy usage. Lastly, reduce waste. The grand majority of food waste is an effect of spoilage, but if we could prevent food by spoiling by buying fewer amounts at a time, it could significantly reduce energy usage as well.

            In conclusion, there is a lot we, humans, can do to help our planet and the environment around us. The three simple tasks of urban gardening, zero waste living, and implementing sustainable food alternatives will make a positive impact on our planet if implemented into your day-to-day life. Be apart of the change!