One Small Step to Save the Environment
Just recently, legendary scientist, teacher, and childhood nostalgia-inducing role model Bill Nye made history once again. This time, it wasn’t about volcanoes, soil erosion, or reptiles (except it kind of was). The Science Guy did something no one thought a kid-friendly scientist would do: he roasted the world, featuring several f-bombs. And in that roast, he reminded humans of the world that taking care of the environment should be one of our top priorities as a species. Awareness of the environment in becoming more and more evident, even in our own community.
One of the biggest internet “trends” pertaining to the environment that has surfaced over the past few years is the “No Straw Challenge”. This challenge is meant to test our ability to refrain from the use a plastic straw for any specific amount of time, even when going out to eat. Plastic straws are seen everywhere: coffee shops, restaurants, juice boxes, and sometimes even in the forgotten cupboards of our own homes. In order to be a fan of the environmentally friendly options, such as the metal or bamboo drinking straw, you do not have to be a hard core turtle advocate, or a dolphin savior (although, protecting the sea creatures is a definite plus). The only thing you have to do is care about reducing the number of waste that gets circled back into our Earth’s ecosystems.
As humans, we neglect to realize how we are not only destroying our planet, but destroying our own species. We drive vehicles that emit nasty toxins into the air that we breathe. We cut down numerous trees for big business, and do not even think about how those big machines destroy the homes of several types of animals. Most importantly, we do not realize that when we use and throw away a plastic straw, it will end up in a landfill; or worse, the ocean. Plastic simply builds up, and does not break down. So whatever plastic is created, it or it’s chemicals are forever a part of the world. Plastic is the largest source of ocean litter, and the options for plastic waste do not stop with straws. There are cups, plates, plastic bottles and bottle rings, and so much more.
Here at Enloe is a student named Isabella Dobbs (11) who has created an Instagram project that challenges students to go thirty days without using a plastic cup or a plastic straw, and instead, to bring a reusable bottle to school. She created the hashtag #0waste30days for her project followers to use once a day when they document (by photo) their use of a water bottle and metal/no straw. In return, Isabella promised to create a free piece of art (made from recycled materials) for everyone that successfully completes the challenge. In little ways like this, we can all make a difference in our environment. “We don’t have to go 100% waste free, but educating ourselves about what we can do to preserve our planet gets us one step closer to a cleaner lifestyle”, Isabella says.
Evidence of the reduction of materials that pose a threat to the environment is becoming more and more popular. Just last week, Maine was the first state to ban styrofoam containers. Even more locally, restaurants like Dos Taquitos have quit giving out drinking straws all together, displaying their “salvar las tortugas!” sign in front of their establishment. Several places along the coast have also stopped or cut down on plastic use.
By simply buying a reusable water bottle, a reusable straw, or any reusable item that can be substituted in place of a plastic one, each of us can make a positive impact on the environment. Let's all make Mother Earth and Bill Nye proud!
Check out Isabella’s challenge at her Instagram, @isabelladobbs
