Green Goals 2018-2019

2018-2019

Some links on this page are to outside sources.  Please note that MASC has no ownership or control of outside resources.

May Green Goals

Hello, student leaders of MASC! The Chesapeake’s six-state, a 64,000-square-mile watershed, is home to more than 18 million people and 3,000 species of plants and animals, including us. It is important that we help to save it! This month we want to shed light on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. This foundation works hard to save the bay by educating communities, engaging public leaders, acting through litigation, and coordinating cleanups.  

Here’s how you can support CBF and protect the bay!

Follow CBF on social media to keep up with their work and events.   Twitter: @chesapeakebay      Instagram: @chesapeakebayfoundation

Join a group in your area that helps conserve the bay with this link. https://www.chesapeakebay.net/action/join

Advocate! Urge your legislators to support or draft legislation to keep the bay clean.

Stop using fertilizers on your grass. The runoff created from the rain washes it into the Chesapeake Bay which can cause eutrophication (excess nutrients that create dead zones in the water).

Organize a community or school event! This event can be dedicated to planting trees or cleaning up trash along the bay. You can even coordinate with CBF.

Try using natural cleaning products. These products end up going down the drain, and if they include chemicals, they could be harmful to both your health and the watershed.

Be sure to post yourself completing this month’s Green Goal and tag MASC!
Instagram: @md.stuco         Twitter: @MDStuCo

April Green Goals

Hello, MASC! As many of you may know, Earth Day is on April 22, 2019. On this day, people from all around the globe band together and are just a little bit closer to a healthier planet. We want our student leaders to be involved! After all, as Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” We have come a long way since the first Earth Day in 1970, but we need to make even more tremendous steps forward if we want to truly make the change needed.

Here are just a few simple ways that you can get involved in Earth Day this year:

• Learn – Environmental literacy and learning about what exactly is going on with our planet is a monumental part of working towards solving the issue. Be sure to educate yourself and others on climate change, environmental justice, and more. The faster we are all knowledgeable about an issue, the faster we can solve it.

  • • Host an event – Try hosting an Earth Day event at your school through SGA! This could be as simple as a trash collection service project at your own school, or you could even plan a community tree planting! The possibilities are endless for this option, but be sure to get others involved in making the planet healthier!  
  • • Attend an event –  Sometimes hosting an event may not be possible! That’s okay! Attend an Earth Day event that is being hosted in your own community. Check on social media and with your school to see if anything is going on. School websites or websites of school systems will often post events on their online calendar, so be sure to check there as well.
  • • Advocate –  This day is the best day to contact your representatives and tell them why you support green initiatives. Feel free to research local green bills or initiatives. Find your representatives here: https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
  • • Use social media –  Social media is such a valuable tool. Spread awareness for Earth Day events that are happening in your school or community! Educate others about climate change! Tweet at your representatives! You can use social media in so many ways!

Earth is only one day of the year. We must work each and every day to maintain the planet that we live on! Here are a couple of ways to do just that:

  • • Buy a metal reusable straw. This will help eliminate the mass amount of straw waste that you produce. Links: https://bit.ly/2Ir1CRk https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7SFLCW/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_gEMSCb9ECMVB5
  • • Start taking notes electronically. Use OneNote or Word by Office to take notes instead of wasting enormous amounts of paper.
  • • Unplug cords when they aren’t in use. This will probably help lower your electricity bill but will also save energy.
  • • Go digital. Buy ebooks or sign up for your library’s e-library. This helps reduce your paper usage and save you a lot of money.
  • • Use cloth napkins! This will save you money so you don’t have to continuously buy paper towels or napkins and reduce the amount of waste made. Earth Day Events in Maryland:

     

    Be sure to post yourself completing this month’s Green Goal and tag MASC!
    Instagram: @md.stuco         Twitter: @MDStuCo

    March Green Goals

    Hello, student leaders! Water is essential to life as we know it. It is such an integral factor of the life cycle that it is the first thing researchers check for when trying to find life in space. Despite the fact that about 70% of the world is covered in water, only about 2.5% of it is fresh, and only 1% of that is easily accessible. Therefore, as student leaders and members of our global community, we need to be mindful of water pollution and water scarcity. Many of us are lucky enough to have access to clean water, but 844 million people lack even a basic drinking water service according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

    Here are just a few simple ways that you can combat this water crisis in your everyday life:

     

    • Dispose of substances correctly. Most people don’t think of what happens when they dispose of things. They seem to just disappear. However, we need to be cognizant of how we dispose of chemicals, fat, oil, grease, and medications. These substances can enter our waterways and accumulate harming the environment and contaminating water sources.
    • Minimize the use of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and road salts. These chemicals can run into sewage systems and bodies of water wreaking havoc on nearby aquatic ecosystems by causing eutrophication, which is oxygen depletion, in water caused by excessive plant growth from the chemicals. Additionally, road salts that are very commonly used during the winter months can run into waterways and increase the water salinity above a livable range for organisms.

     

    • Conserve water. By conserving water, you can save money and help the environment at the same time. This can be done by waiting until you have a full load to run the washing machine or the dishwasher. You can also switch to low-flow fixtures which are typically 20% more water efficient.
    • Use environmentally friendly soaps. Typical soaps tend to use harsh chemicals that build up in the environment. The next time you buy soap, try to check for more sustainable ingredients, such as soybean oil or shea butter or pick up soaps that are marketed as eco-friendly.
    • Plant vegetation. While this may seem like an unlikely solution, plants, especially trees, help to reduce erosion and runoff of chemicals that may harm our waterways. When you have the chance, especially those of you who live near bodies of water, consider planting trees, grasses, bushes, flowers, and other types of vegetation.

     

    Be sure to post yourself completing this month’s Green Goal and tag MASC!
    Instagram: @md.stuco         Twitter: @MDStuCo

     

    February Green Goals

    Hello student leaders! As you all may know, our Earth happens to just be at the sweet spot in our solar system to support life. We are fortunate enough to enjoy the biodiversity the Earth brings because of this. However, our biodiversity is rapidly declining as you are reading this due to things like extinction, climate change, hunting, habitat loss, and more. All of these issues are driven by human activity.  Humans have caused this, and humans can fix this, but we only have so much time to do so. As student leaders, we must get involved as much as possible because this is the world that which we will spend the rest of our lives. This is the world that our children will live in. The following ideas are only some things that we can do.

    1. Advocate for legislation that will help to promote and preserve biodiversity. Any bill that reduces pollution or supports the protection of habitats can be a major step toward helping the environment from the legal side of things. Other activities such as starting petitions to support your local wildlife and habitats or supporting candidates that make the environment a priority are a huge help.
    2. Donate to organizations that help to promote biodiversity such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
    3. Restore habitats in your community by planting trees, reducing pesticide and inorganic fertilizer use, creating bird boxes, and more.
    4. Buying organic, local foods that are made with fewer chemicals and don’t require very much shipping helps to reduce pollution. It also helps to promote the health of the environment and people. When the environment is happy and healthy, people are, too.
    5. Reduce, reuse, recycle. The three R’s we all learned in elementary school are still very important to help preserve our planet. We must first reduce our consumption and waste creation. If it is prevented and never made in the first place, it doesn’t have to be managed. Then, you must reuse as much as possible such as reusing old candle jars as cute containers around the house instead of throwing them away. This is a great chance to DIY and be creative! Finally, recycle whatever is left!

    Be sure to post yourself completing this month’s Green Goal and tag MASC!
    Instagram: @md.stuco         Twitter: @MDStuCo

     

    January Green Goals

    Happy New Year MASC! Many people often use this time of year as motivation to get fit and reduce their waistline, but we should also keep in mind the environment. Let’s start off the new year with environmentally conscience resolutions. One thing to keep in mind is waste. Most people produce 4.4 ounces of waste per day which adds up in the long run!

    Here are some minor adjustments that you can add to your daily routine to reduce your “waste-line”:

    1. Use glass or stainless containers for bringing your lunch to school. These containers are reusable which reduces the amount of waste that we create. Additionally, using Tupperware is handy but when they are heated in the microwave the plastic can get onto the food. Also, food does not leave stains on the container after use.
    2. Switch to reusable water bottles. It’s important to stay hydrated, but be sure that you aren’t using a new plastic water bottle each day. These water bottles take approximately 450 years to decompose, and they definitely add up. To reduce all this plastic waste, forgo the plastic water bottles and invest in a nice reusable bottle. As a bonus, they can even insulate your water keeping it nice and cool throughout the day!
    3. Go digital. In our beautiful 21st century, we have a world of technology to take advantage of! These days, we can conserve paper by digitizing some of our activities. This can include taking notes on a word document or making grocery lists on your phone.
    4. Use towels. Instead of paper towels or napkins that need to be discarded after each use, try to utilize towels or rags as much as possible because they can just be thrown in the washer as opposed to being thrown away.
    5. Donate. Items you may not want to use anymore such as CDs, furniture, and clothes, can be given to others who may need them. You can give back and be environmentally friendly at the same time. It’s a win-win situation. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
    6. Trade in old electronic devices.  You can turn them in for money instead of throwing them away at Best Buy. You can reduce waste and earn money simultaneously! (Best Buy also gives $2 coupons for every ink cartridge that you recycle with them.)

    These are only some ideas to get you started on reducing your “waste-line” and helping out the environment! Feel free to try anything else in the new year to get you started on a more environmentally friendly path!

    Post your new resolutions on Instagram or Twitter and tag MASC!
    Instagram: @md.stuco         Twitter: @MDStuCo

    December Green Goals

    Hello, student leaders of MASC! Global warming is the Earth’s overall rise in temperature over the years which affects so much of our daily lives and our futures. Due to this, sea levels have been rising. This could result in parts of Florida being underwater! This is only one detrimental consequence of global warming. However, there are so many more consequences that will especially affect younger generations. As student leaders that will ultimately live in a world impacted by global warming, we need to do our best to help reduce it as much as we can now.

    1. Invest in renewable products.
    2. Carpool or take public transportation! It’s an easy way to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
    3. Change your thermostat settings. If you turn it up two in the summer and down two in the winter, it can save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide!
    4. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. If not, tons of carbon dioxide are released, increasing greenhouse gases.

    Educate your friends and get them involved with trying to save our beautiful planet!
    Instagram: @md.stuco         Twitter: @MDStuCo

    November Green Goals

    Hello, student leaders! This month we are going to discuss ways we can give thanks to our lovely environment. November is a month of giving thanks, so it’s the perfect time to give back to the Earth. There are so many little things that it gives us that we may just take for granted, such as the beautiful flowers that we see each day. To give thanks, let’s cut back on our environmentally harmful ways.

    Ways to Give Back

    • Cut back on plastic baggies and plastic bottles! Using these plastics may seem very convenient, but reusable container/bottles are an easy alternative that will save you money in the long run. It takes plastic waste 450 to even 1000 years to decompose.

    • Buy locally grown foods! With all the food you are going to be eating this Thanksgiving season, be sure that you do your best to obtain food that is grown in your area. Most of the food in America travels 1,500 miles to reach your dinner table! Packaging and shipping food contribute to increased levels of pollution.

    • Plant Trees! Deforestation negatively impacts various habitats and ecosystems. This also affects climate change since there are fewer forests, and more greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere. For info on how to start a reforestation project check out this link https://www.pfla.bc.ca/forest-management-tips/from-planning-to-planting-reforestation-basics-for-forest-owners/

    • Advocate for our planet! Get involved with an environmental movement. Zero Hour is a youth-led movement that advocates for climate change solutions. Simply go to this link to join http://thisiszerohour.org/


    These are only a few ways that you can show your gratitude for the environment this month! Try to do something different each week to show your love for all the Earth has given us. If you have more ideas on how to show gratitude or if you’d like to show us how you’re completing this month’s goal, post on Instagram or Twitter and tag MASC!
    Instagram: @md.stuco         Twitter: @MDStuCo

    October Green Goals

    Imagine a world in which no one cares about the environment. Trash and waste cover the streets. Thousands of species of beautiful plants and animals have gone extinct. Future children will only ever see a tiger in their dreams or in stories. People will have to wear masks to breathe the heavily polluted air. Trying to swim at the beach isn’t even considered a fun hobby anymore, not with all of the plastic blanketing the shore and filling the waters. Is this the world that we want to live in?

    There is so much that can be done each and every day to avoid this nightmare. Being environmentally friendly does not have to be such a struggle. There are easy ways to help without going out of the way. It’s a spooky season, but let the terror come from the ghouls of the night, not from disregarding the environment.

    • Throw bottle caps away!

    Unless stated otherwise, bottle caps are typically non-recyclable, so be sure to leave them out!

    • Learn the Resin Codes for Recycling!

    The resin codes are important because they let you know if the plastic is recyclable since some plastics are not. Resin code 7 is not recyclable.

    • Get out there and vote!

    While many of us are below the legal voting age, you can still register to vote! You can also always encourage those in your life who can vote to do so. Voting on these environmental issues is a great way to make a difference.

    • Volunteer!

    There are so many organizations that have opportunities to volunteer to help the environment. This may include planting trees, cleaning up litter, educating young children about the environment, and so much more! As people who live on the earth, we all have an obligation to make sure that it’s as healthy as possible.

    • Reduce your waste production!

    Reduce is the first of the “three R’s” and is the most important. If there is less waste and pollution in the first place, then there is less to worry about. Do your best to use reusable items daily instead of single-use items that will simply end up in landfills. On average, Americans produce a staggering four pounds of waste per person per day. The smaller that number is, the better.

     

Be sure to post yourself completing this month’s Green Goal and tag MASC!
Instagram: @md.stuco         Twitter: @MDStuCo

September Green Goals

Hello, student leaders! Imagine a world without litter. Imagine a world where people work together each day to make the world a happier and healthier place. That world you’re imagining right now is the goal of the cleanup movement called Let’s Do It!.  It all began ten years ago when thousands of citizens in Estonia came out to help make their country a cleaner place. This has spread globally and has led to another World Cleanup Day on September 15th of this year, and we wanted to honor that in this month’s green goal. Be part of the movement that embraces using cooperation to make the world a cleaner and healthier place.

To get involved…

  1. Go to https://www.worldcleanupday.org for more info on the event and to donate.
  2. Create a service project in honor of the day. Take your SGA out and clean up the litter around school.
  3. Spread the word to your fellow peers. Help them join the movement.
  4. Post on social media about World Cleanup Day. Make the movement even bigger!
  5. Download the World Cleanup App to join an event in your area or start your own!!

Be sure to tag @md.stuco on Instagram or @MDStuCo on Twitter when you post you doing these goals.

August Green Goals

Hello, fellow student leaders! August 18th is National Honeybee Day. These bees are dwindling at an alarming rate due to a variety of factors including pesticides, habitat loss, poor nutrition, and more. Cases of Colony Collapse Disorder have decreased in recent years but more still needs to be done to make sure that honeybees survive. Use the following goals as a starting and a guide in being proactive toward this issue. Bees are very important to our everyday lives from the pollination of plants that we depend on to the creation of the honey that makes our lives sweeter.

What to do from Home

  • Plant flowers of the colors violet, blue, purple, yellow, and white. These colors are attractive to their eyes.
  • Install a home for the bees. Order one online or do it yourself. Just drilling various sizes and amounts of holes in trees (dead and still standing) can give them space to nest in these holes. If you’d like to build your own, check out this link https://www.nwf.org/en/Garden-for-Wildlife/Young/Build-a-Bee-House.

Sponsor a hive! You can help increase the number of hives by sponsoring them. Check out https://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/sponsor-a-hive/ for more information on how to get started.