There
is one question constantly nagging me; am I even making a difference? Is what I
am doing really worth it? To be honest, I am not sure. I have been able to
measure my changes somewhat though not necessarily accurately. I have remeasured
my carbon footprint, but the change was not remarkable. I still drive a car and
heat my apartment with electricity in the winter. I do know that I buy less and
throw away less. But I am just one person, and I alone will not make a
difference.
I advocate for and talk about reducing
waste with nearly every person I meet. Family, friends, classmates, people I
volunteer with, and even unsuspecting strangers in the grocery store have heard
me talk about ways to reduce waste. I have learned that the best way to get
attention for my cause, is practicing it myself. Bringing my own Tupperware to
the grocery or my plate to school will always prompt questions from other
people. I find it to be the best way to get a conversation going.
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| Plastic free school supplies. Image source. |
Truthfully, I can really see the impact I am making when friends and family come up to me to show the changes they have made. Whether it is a small thing like bringing their own water bottle or my brother calling me for information about composting. Awareness is spreading and that is huge.