Today is World Earth Day! Each year April 22 marks a day of reflection and consideration on one of the most vital issues we face as a species: environmental protection. Whether it’s the threat of climate change, the long-term impacts of deforestation, the voluminous increase in plastic in our planet’s oceans, or the rising numbers of extinction among the earth’s flora and fauna, Earth Day calls on us to examine how we can address these pressing issues and live a more sustainable existence. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Planets vs. Plastics.”
At Rio Salado College, sustainability is something we’re greatly concerned about. If you’re interested in making a career change to pursue a role in sustainability fields like eco-conscious engineering, agriculture, or cultural advocacy, we have a sustainability certificate program that offers 15-18 credit hour certificates on sustainability & cultural literacy and sustainable development.
Want to learn more about steps you can take to be more sustainable in 2024 and beyond? Read on as we unpack what you can do at home and highlight some resources that Rio and the Maricopa Community Colleges District have to offer.
Library Guide
A great starting point is to check out this year’s Earth Day 2024 library guide. This year’s guide includes some recommended books, an article on how to adopt a sustainable mindset, a documentary on climate change, Jane Hirschfield's moving poem "Don't Let Them Say," and links to several environmental research databases.
Seed Library
Did you know that you can check out seeds at the Rio library? We’re proud to be a part of the Maricopa Native Seed Library program. This program provides free native Sonoran desert plant seeds (which include trees, annuals, shrubs, grasses, and vines) to the community. You can get up to three packets of free seeds from the Native Seed Library on your initial visit. View the MCCCD site for more information, and come by our library to add some lush green life to your surroundings!
Cafe @ Rio
Our cafe is just as committed to fostering sustainability as they are to providing our students and staff with delicious food! The Rio cafe plays an integral role in our Sustainable Food Systems curriculum, which offers certificates and two-year degrees in sustainable practices like organic food production, community garden concepts, basic nutrition, and multicultural food practices. The cafe also hosts workshops and volunteer days in the Rio garden that offer community members some hands-on experience with greener habits.
What You Can Do at Home
Sustainability doesn’t have to involve huge sacrifices. A lot of sustainable, eco-friendly activity is incremental: small changes can yield big results over time. Here are few things you can do to help lower your environmental footprint.
- Drive less. Consider carpooling, taking public transit, or walking/bicycling to get around.
- Eat less meat. Factory farming is one of the leading causes of climate change. Eating less meat (or opting to go vegetarian/vegan) can make a difference.
- Be thrifty. Buy second hand/vintage clothing and tailor/repair existing clothes that are wearing out. Reuse instead of buying new.
- Take up gardening. Growing your own food is fun, economical, and helps make you feel more attuned to your local environment.
- Get a water filter and drink tap water. Using a filter cuts down on plastic bottle consumption.
- Unplug electronics when you’re not using them. The energy drain that 24/7 plugged-in appliances can cause could be greater than you realize. That kind of power strain can have an impact on both the environment and your pocket book.
Article by Austin Brietta