Staying eco-friendly during the holidays
PHOTO: There are many ways that people can practice eco-friendly holiday habits.
By Jolie Boucher,
BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–
Davis community members are making changes to protect the environment during this holiday season.
“Individual actions are a great way to get involved in making positive changes,” Davis High sophomore and environmental club leader Jared Umphress said.
Umphress uses newspapers to wrap gifts during the holidays in order to reduce waste. Instead of using disposable, single-use plates and silverware, he uses plates that he can wash later.
For John Mott-Smith, a writer for the Davis Enterprise environmental column, there is no ‘before and after’ to his environmentally conscious choices. “I basically feel, and have felt, that the holidays are no different from any other day in terms of trying to be climate aware and act as such,” Mott-Smith said.
Why Should I Care?
“We share the climate crisis collectively,” Mott-Smith said.
Since the 20th century, human activity has increased and warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and the land, according to NASA. This temperature increase is causing ice to melt, the sea level to rise and the ocean to become more acidic.
“The climate crisis is existential. Everyone should, in my opinion, do what he or she can, but honestly at this point we need big changes,” said Mott-Smith.
Reducing Waste
While holiday shopping, it is important to consider that, “Less is better, especially plastic,” DHS teacher Sheri Sandberg said.
“Just don’t overdo it, either with food or presents,” Mott-Smith said.
Buying local or thrifting can help reduce overproduction as well as shipping waste like excessive plastic and styrofoam, which can take nearly 500 years to decompose according to Washington University.
Because shopping local is important for the Davis community, climate change is already a well addressed topic in that department.
“We not only degrade our environment but also drive unethical labor,” Umphress said.
When finding holiday gifts, Sandberg says to consider if there were a lot of resources used to make a product and will a product be truly appreciated and used by the person or be put aside.
The Holidays’ Carbon Footprint
Travel during the holidays feels like a must, but keep in mind that traveling by cars, trains, and planes take a toll on the environment.
According to Popular Mechanics, “…tourism counts for around 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. And so much of that happens during the holidays.”
Carpooling, taking public transportation, walking or riding a bike are just a few ways to help reduce fossil fuel emissions.
Greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in-habit the Earth’s atmosphere. These gasses are produced by an increase in global emissions and they trap heat in the atmosphere.
“In 2019, CO2 accounted for about 80 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities,” the EPA said.
Transportation, particularly by car and plane, is a significant contributor to carbon emissions.
Eco-Friendly Gifts
Local businesses are ready for an eco-friendly holiday season.
The Avid Reader Bookstore on 617 2nd St has a variety of books (including climate change books) that are likely on your list and are a warm gift for any bookworms you want to treat this holiday season.
For any coffee lovers, Cloud Forest Cafe on 222 D St, is the place to go. Surprise your friends with a drink from a shop whose mission statement is, “Just a local business using local resources to obtain fresh ingredients.”
If you’re looking for clothing, Umphress recommends For Days, which makes organic cotton tee shirts. And, when you outgrow or are done with the shirts, you can ship it back to the company to receive credit towards your next purchase.
Suggested by Sandberg, plants make wonderful, eco-friendly gifts to people who are willing to care for them. They are generally a simple, all around win.
If plants are too extravagant for your gift giving, there are plenty of Davis stores with more traditional holiday gifts.
