The climate crisis has become one of the most dire issues around the world. According to a study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, 85% of adolescents and young adults in the United States are at least moderately worried about the impact of climate change. As concerns over climate change rise, sustainability is now more important than ever before.
Along with other schools across the nation, Maryvale has worked to make their campus more environmentally friendly. Maryvale’s “Bring Your Own Water Bottle” policy reduces single-use plastics. There are many “greenspaces” on campus that not only provide beautiful scenery, but they also provide habitats for pollinator species. Many students also carpool to school, which is a great way to reduce one’s carbon footprint. Clubs such as the Recycling Club, the Surfrider Club, and the Environmental Club also spread awareness about climate change and encourage sustainable practices. I sat down with Ms. Lueba, faculty leader of the Environmental Club, to learn about how the club has made a positive impact on Maryvale.
The Environmental Club has worked on various initiatives that spread awareness on climate change and promote sustainable practices. Each Halloween, the Environmental Club implements the Halloween Candy Recycling program and has achieved much success. The club also spreads awareness on ways to be sustainable during other holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Ms. Leuba has many hopes for the Environmental Club next year. She hopes to gain more members and incorporate more effective recycling on campus. She also hopes to bring in guest speakers from organizations like Blue Water Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to help students learn more about how our school can become sustainable.
But what can you do to be sustainable? Ms. Leuba’s main piece of advice is that everyone should “do is whatever we can”. “Every choice you make doesn’t have to always be sustainable,” Ms. Leuba said, “but if we all do something, even if it feels small, that is better than many of us doing nothing”. There are small actions that anyone can do to help the environment. Practicing the Three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is a great way to reduce the amount of waste we use. People can reduce how much stuff they buy and avoid fast-fashion businesses that greatly damage the environment. Along with buying second hand and turning the lights off when they are not needed, Ms. Leuba also recommends repurposing clothes. Ms. Leuba says that some of her favorite pieces of clothing are made out of clothes she would not have worn anymore. Repurposing your clothes is not only a way to make unique outfits, it is also a way to avoid waste.
There are many ways to help preserve the environment, so it is important for everyone to do what they can to be sustainable!
