Environment In The News

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone has been enjoying their Thanksgiving break! Did you do any grocery shopping before your turkey dinner? Did you use your reusable bags? New results have shown that reusable grocery bags contain elevated levels of lead, which has some consumers concerned.

The good news, however, is that the amount of lead in the bags is not really enough to contaminate your food. Also, companies who produce reusable bags are now working to eliminate lead from their products all together.

To decide for yourself if you will switch back to paper or plastic, LISTEN to/ READ this NPR article.

Sustainable Tip of the Week

Thanksgiving the Sustainable Way!

As we count down the days until Thanksgiving break, it is time to think about how to make your holiday more sustainable! No worries, it's simple and you won't be missing out on any delicious foods! Take these few tips to help our world, your stomach, and your life be more sustainable this holiday.

1. Shop Organic

Organic meat usually means the animal was raised more ethically and without pesticides or hormones. Try to have an organic turkey this year!

2. Shop local

Farmer's markets are the best places to buy delicious seasonal fruits and veggies. This will help add fresher ingredients to your Thanksgiving meal! Yum!

3. Cook what you'll eat

Try to make just enough food for those you are cooking for. Although it's tempting to cook massive amounts of food, cook the amount you know you will eat!

4. Love the Leftovers

If you do have leftovers, don't throw them away! Make delicious Thanksgiving meals in the days after Thanksgiving! Try creative meals like turkey sandwiches with all your fixins!

5. Use Tupperware

Put your leftovers in reusable Tupperware instead of plastic wraps and baggies. The best part is that you can fill Tupperware containers with your favorite foods and bring the leftovers back to school with you!

6. Choose to Reuse

Forget bottled water this year and switch to tap water in glasses. Not only does it look nice, but you reduce your waste. Put away those paper plates and plastic forks and choose to use nice dinner plates that you will use throughout the year.

7. Enjoy Thanksgiving!!!

See you all after the holiday!

Environment In The News

Good afernoon, SEACers!

In light of the recent elections, I encourage you all to keep up with how the shift in Congress will effect our energy policies. For example, half of the incoming Republican freshman deny global climate change science. Think of the implications of this on climate change legislation.

At the beginning of the year, Republicans will take control of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This NY Times article and video takes a look at one of the candidates for chairman , John Shimkus, who has declared that biblical verses prove that human caused climate change will not harm our planet.

Sustainable Tip of the Week

Reduce Food Waste

The situation is all too familiar: you enter the welcoming doors of the Pit and quickly find a premium seat. Your first choice is probably the high tables. Second, you may try a cushioned bench. And if you are highly unfortunate, you will be relegated to the loser corner of the Pit. Nonetheless, the wafting aroma from the southern kitchen station or the savory scent from the international grill force your salivary glands to work double time. In seconds you ravage through
the Pit and ultimately end up with three to four plates at your table--all for you.

The reality is, however, you are unlikely to finish all four plates. After your lengthy Pit-sit you collect your mound of plates and carefully balance them atop the moving dish room conveyor belt. Do you ever wonder what goes on behind the revolving plate-collector? Your food is most likely being thrown in the trash and then taken to the landfill via energy-costly trucks.

But it does not have to be this way. Next time you feel tempted by the extreme amount of options at the Pit, take a second and pick out your favorite food. Take one plate at a time and finish it before going back for seconds. This will significantly reduce your food waste!

Live off-campus or cook for yourself? There is an economic incentive to reduce your food waste as well. The amount of food going to waste in the US is astronomical. That means you are wasting money you use to buy food. Check out this article about a study conducted by leading scientists from the University of Arizona. Also, check this out for some easy tips to fix the problem!