The Environment and You

By Kelsey Holmes, Greenheart Club Intern

“The future of the people of the world, the future of our planet, is in your hands.  We cannot afford indecision, half measures or merely gradual approaches.  Our goal must be a transformation.” – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

Last month, world leaders met in Paris to discuss the effects that climate change is having on the planet.  United Nations (UN) Member States, as well as finance, business, civil society, and local leaders from public and private sectors converged at the UN Climate Summit which served as a public platform for discussion on eight action areas: agriculture, cities, energy, financing, forests, industry, resilience and transportation.

Learn more about everything discussed at this important summit here!

Why is this discussion so important?  Watch the video below to see why climate change is so detrimental to our planet and why it needs to be addressed as quickly and effectively as possible:

So, what can you do to contribute to creating a more sustainable planet for everyone?  Start by examining your own impact by using this Carbon Footprint Calculator!  It’s so important to make sure that you’re maintaining a lifestyle that is sustainable and promotes a healthy environment for everyone!  Here are some ways that you can work on reducing your carbon footprint:

A very important part of Greenheart’s mission is “to create global leaders through personal development, volunteer service, environmentalism, fair trade, and cultural exchange.”  At Greenheart, we recognize that the planet’s resources are finite, which means that in order to ensure that future generations enjoy the same quality of life we do, we must be careful not to overuse or overconsume.

Check out this fantastic Greenheart Club resource for opportunities to get involved in more than 50 environmental service-learning projects!  What ways are you going to raise awareness for environmental consciousness in your community?