As Jesuit students, we’re not called just to academic excellence and service to others, but also to the stewardship of God’s creation. With Earth Day in the recent past, we are reminded of the importance of taking better care of our Earth. But real change starts with each one of us, one day at a time. 

It doesn’t take a total life transformation to start taking better care of the environment. Small, consistent, daily choices can cut down your carbon footprint while saving money. Here are practical ways students can make a difference every day:

Rethink Your Ride

Student transportation is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions. If you live close enough, walk or bike to campus. Even a few days a week cuts down on the gas, and keeps you in shape. Too far away? Carpool with teammates, club members, or neighbors. Fewer cars on the road means less CO2 in our atmosphere. If public transit is an option, use it.

Eat More Plants, Waste Less Food

The cafeteria and packed lunch are a perfect way to start. Try going meatless once a week. Skipping meat a day per week can reduce your food-related carbon emissions by up to 8 pounds that day, and it adds up to 400 pounds of C02 per year. The cafeteria offers a plethora of choices already; just load up on salads,  stir-frys, or grain bowls.

Power Down at Home

It’s as simple as flipping a switch. Turn off lights when you leave the bathroom, the kitchen, or your bedroom. Use natural light when studying whenever possible. Unplug chargers, gaming consoles, and laptops when you’re not using them. At home, take shorter showers. These habits are easy to adopt and add up fast. A single student unplugging daily can prevent 10 to 30 pounds of CO2 emissions over a school year.

Ditch Single-Use Plastics and Paper

Bring a reusable bag for any after-school snacks or Target runs. Say no to plastic straws and utensils at restaurants or snack bars. Recycle every piece of paper from notes or handouts; we have recycling bins for a reason. 

Get Involved

Go out and research ways you can help out Mother Nature. I’ve started a student-led group called the Sierra Lupines that is working on saving the Sierra Nevada by working on mountain meadow restoration. There are many other ways close by to help like joining American River trash cleanups, planting and caring for trees in the city, and working to restore local habitats. 

Our school mission asks us to be “men for others,” and that includes our future generations. Our posterity will face a hotter, more unpredictable planet if we don’t take action now. Every reusable bottle you refill, every light you turn off, and every mile you don’t drive is one step closer to a better future. Start with just one or two changes this week and see how it feels. Together, we can prove caring isn’t a side project, but part of who we are.