The Evolution of My Environmental Conscience

I have never critically thought about the impact of my choices as a consumer before taking this class. However, this class has truly taught me about the gravity of our current environmental situation. Even though personal changes will not do much to fix the climate crisis, they are better than nothing. The way I think about personal change and action has definitely evolved since taking this class. At first, I believed that it isn’t worth putting in personal effort if the impact is small or close to nothing. However, now I realize that small change is better than nothing and it can do a lot to alter one’s mindset and the mindsets of their peers. Overall, I think I have become more environmentally conscious as a consumer, a student, and in general, as a person. 

First, I have become a more conscious consumer to some extent. I personally love shopping, but now I consider necessity before I purchase an item. If the clothes in my closet fit, and if our fridge is stocked for the week, then there isn’t any reason for me to buy anything else. Also, when I buy clothes, I try to avoid fast fashion brands by shopping at small local boutiques downtown. This way I am also supporting small businesses! Further, after reading about the stickering action in “Beyond The Fork”, I started looking for cruelty free, sustainable production brands and certify fair trade logos on supermarket items. Recently I switched all of my skincare products over to a sustainable line called honest and another brand called Odacite which is 100% vegan and cruelty free. This is a small change which might not have much of an impact at all. However, I personally feel better using sustainable, clean brands; this small change can do more good than harm, even if the impact is miniscule. 

Not only has this class changed my consumer conscience, but it has also allowed me to draw connections to the environment in other classes and conversations. I connect what I learn to the climate in most everything now. I have so many conversations about what I’ve learned regarding the climate crisis (like how the great migration is connected to climate change) with my family members and classmates. Also in U.S. history class, when we were talking about the rise of consumerism and the speculative market, I pointed out that while materialist culture drastically helped many Americans in a good way (convenience, efficiency, etc.), it also severely impacted our environment with a greater use of plastics and palm oil harvesting which led to rapid deforestation. 

My environmental conscience at home has also shifted. I have gotten into gardening for climate change. After the plant-potting event with DREAAM house and the class discussion about the local community garden, I was inspired to grow and maintain plants at home. I picked up a pack of wildflower seeds and plan to plant them in biodegradable pots which I will transfer into my garden. My dad loves to take care of plants and he has been teaching me about plant/garden maintenance. I have also encouraged my sister to help me in maintaining our garden. She also recently started a garden at her school. 

Since taking this class, I now talk more about environmental choices with my parents and siblings on a regular basis, especially when we go grocery shopping. We try to buy strictly organic items and would like to start going to the farmer’s market in the summer. Driving is more convenient for our family of 5 and we live too far to get to work/school by bike or public transit (which doesn’t reach our neighborhood). However, we have been talking about switching to a hybrid car that won’t require as much gasoline. I also recently learned that our house is geothermal, so our heating and cooling system is renewable and pollution free. Having discussions about the climate and personal change with my family has been empowering and reassuring. I know I’ll be graduating in one year, but I hope to maintain some of the changes I have started and continue to evolve as an environmentally conscious consumer to the best of my ability. Though I firmly believe that at the end of the day corporate action will make the greatest waves, I will continue to educate myself about the climate crisis and how I can make choices for the better.