What Students Can Do About Climate Change

It seems like climate change is an all-encompassing issue with no solution, but that's not the case! Here's what you can do to help the environment now.

Climate change is an issue that affects everyone on every continent of the world. It’s a pressing matter that can seem all-encompassing with no solution, but that is not the case. From small actions like cutting off the water while brushing your teeth to large-scale projects like wind power farms are all equally helpful and necessary to fight for a cleaner tomorrow. Here are a few simple things students can do to help fight climate change this Earth Day and every day.

Take small steps at home

Creating a cleaner society can start right in your dorm or bedroom. Remember to turn off the lights when leaving a room, and invest in lower-wattage-producing lamps. Using less light energy by reducing water waste is also highly beneficial to creating a “greener” home. Examples include taking shorter showers, remembering to turn off the water when it’s not in immediate use, and utilizing or installing energy-saving appliances. By implementing these simple steps, your carbon footprint can be lowered by almost 20%, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions—saving you money and helping the environment at the same time. 

Additionally, something often overlooked but extremely helpful is removing electronics from electrical outlets when they’re not in use. While light, water, energy usage, and small appliances don't seem substantial in carbon production, they account for most of a household's pollution composition when added together. Being aware and recognizing how to limit all these components will significantly reduce your household’s carbon emissions and society's negative impact on the natural environment.

Related: 5 Ways Everyone Can Fight for the Environment 

Encourage awareness and education

Educating non-environmentally conscious peers can help encourage them to protect and preserve the environment. Ultimately, starting a conversation with your community surrounding the environment opens discussion and introduces others to collaborative projects. One way to promote environmental advocacy is through organizations such as community-based recycling programs. Another example is a shared neighborhood garden in which organic and pesticide-free food can be grown. Additionally, promotion through environmental education clubs at school and advertising on reusable items such as lunch boxes and water bottles can all be used to further educate the public.

Look toward a brighter future

Caring for the environment can be done in both public and private settings. It can also be done through self-improvement and self-education. Placing importance on actively looking for resources that discuss environmental factors is essential to becoming an ecological pioneer and advocate. To go even further, pursuing a future career in environmental education is another gateway to educating society and increasing your impact on the world. For example, college majors such as Environmental Science, Environmental Law, Political Science, and Environmental Policy can all lead to potential careers that make a difference to your future and the world overall. 

Related: 10 Colleges That Went Green Before It Was Cool 

Start the fight today

Young people play an intricate part in educating, addressing, and raising awareness about the damaging consequences of global warming and climate change. Overall, educating others and working toward a cleaner society starts at home, in the classroom, and conclusively, in the community. Do your part today for a better tomorrow.

Happy Earth Day! Looking for a school that advocates for the environment as much as you do? Check out our list of “Green” Colleges and Universities.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Jordanne Nichols

Jordanne Nichols is a high school student from Chicago with a passion for activism, feminism, and climate change.

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Fabiola Rodriguez

Fabiola Rodriguez

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress helped me on my journey to get to the school of my first choice by showing me all the options I have. I didn’t know of the College of Southern Nevada until I went on this website, and it helped me look for other choices and compare what colleges would be right for me.

Hannah Nelsen

Hannah Nelsen

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has helped me look at colleges that fit my interests by taking my profile and matching it to colleges that have the programs I'm looking for. It has the ability to connect me to colleges so I can be contacted by them and look at them more in-depth to find what's right for me. Additionally, the scholarship database is super beneficial for getting scholarships for college. Not only does it help lift the financial burden of college but it shows all the opportunities available. Overall, CollegeXpress has been very helpful to me.

Dani York

Dani York

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress helped in my journey by comparing multiple colleges for my final decision. While looking at different colleges, I was able to compare the tuition expenses and that landed me with the college that I’m currently enrolled in, Western Kentucky University. Thank you!

Sierra Carranza

Sierra Carranza

High School Class of 2022

I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to go to school; I was considering colleges in almost every state. CollegeXpress was an amazing resource and helped me compare all of my top schools. Without the help of CollegeXpress, I probably wouldn't have made such an informed and confident decision.

Yuhlani Patterson

Yuhlani Patterson

High School Student

CollegeXpress has helped me find so many scholarships that fit me. They match me to colleges I have specific interest in to make searching for colleges way easier and more efficient. CollegeXpress refers me to schools that have my major of interest and backup schools if I want to change my mind. CollegeXpress also gives out their own scholarships, so you have even more of a chance at gaining multiple scholarships. This website has helped me de-stress from the pressure of not being able to afford college, [of finding] what schools are right for me, and how to find easy access to scholarships that most people never knew existed.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Stevenson University

Stevenson, MD