This is the first blog post from one of the University’s new Sustainable Development Goals Ambassadors. The SDGs Ambassadors are students that are helping to spread the word about the SDGs to their peers and demonstrate how we can all be a part of this extraordinary movement to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.
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Hi!
My name is Tinu and I became a University of Kent, Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador because, from childhood, I have been passionate about human and environmental rights issues and these passions have played out in every choice I have made. In Elementary school, I started an Environmental club and worked with Greenpeace Canada to enforce proper recycling of products. Since 2016 I have been a graphic designer for the Hope for Us Charity whose goal is to improve the H.E.S.I of African countries. H.E.S.I. which stands for Healthcare, Education, Sustainability and Advocacy against Social Injustices. My interests in these topics are even reflected in my previous educational studies, where I studied: International Business, World Issues and Environment with Resource Management. In my World Issues course, we dedicated part of the semester to focus on the United Nations SDG goals, allowing me to be quite familiar with the different goals. As well as in my Environment and Resource Management course, where we studied sustainable living. I am a strong believer that it is our responsibility as humans to take care of the planet and everything on it ☺
How to be More Eco Friendly In your Everyday Life!
Start Timing Your Showers
We all love to spend time in the shower as they can be relaxing and a great place to practice our vocal lessons. However extended showers can use up to 17.2 gallons of water! Make an effort to reduce your shower time by setting goals and timing yourself!
Buy Products with less packaging and try to not buy things that come in Styrofoam or Plastic
When you go the store try to see how many items you can buy that are package less or don’t use as much plastic! Try shopping at bulk stores.
Pro tip: The healthier the food the less packaging it usually has.
Environmentally Friendly Toothbrushes
What’s something we do every day? (at least I hope so) Brush your teeth! Toothbrushes are something that we all use however they are plastic 🙁 which ends up in our landfills. Invest in an electrical toothbrush or Bamboo.
Metal and Paper Straws
I’m sure you have heard “save the turtles” multiple times this year and that is because its true! Straws take 200 years to decompose and, in most places, cannot be recycled. Straws are also the 11th most found item in the ocean! (Ocean Conservancy 2018)
So, what to do? Use a metal Straw which you can get for cheap online in packs! or ask for paper straws when you order beverages.
Reusable Water Bottles
Instead of using plastic cups and water bottles keep a good quality BPA free water bottle with you! Quit buying bottled water. Instead, get a water bottle that you can refill.
Pro Tip: Most restaurants and boutique drink shops will give you money off your drink if you bring your own cup
Going Shopping?
Say no thanks, to the cheap plastic bags they give you and bring your own bags or keep items in your cart without bagging them and put them directly into your car
Use E-tickets for movies, flights and other events instead of printing!
Tip: Apple phones have an app called Wallet where you can store e- tickets and cards
Wash your clothes in cold water
Cold water uses less energy, which saves the planet and your water bill!