My flight to England leaves tomorrow. Let’s lock in. High-speed lithium ion batteries? Efficiency sorted. Five liter “just in case” shampoo bottle? That’s one week worth of hair care down. A spare suitcase of backup plastic water bottles? Best way to hydrate. Recycling bin? No? Welp… into the trash my water bottles go! I’ve got a flight to catch so every quick step makes a big difference. Saving two nanoseconds by neglecting responsible waste sorting? Yes, please!
As I head into my intensive eight week study abroad program at the UK’s very own Sussex University, I’d much rather spend my time grinding out physics questions than worrying about eco-friendly options or CO2 emission tracking. The MCAT’s going to slaughter me if I don’t get my act together. But wait a minute. Something’s not right. Why is my straw limper than a wet noodle? Why are the bottle caps stuck to the bottles? And where did all the paper towels in the restrooms go!?
Unbelievable. Now I have to spend more money to make up for lost time. That’s fine. Just tap and… WHERE DID ALL MY MONEY GO!? I guess time really is money, but how am I going to make up for this? Maybe it’s time for a different approach. Can I save time and help the environment all at once?
The Too Good To Go App. Saving money and meals worldwide since 2015. Dinner is served (www.toogoodtogo.com). Tracking my CO2 emissions on the regional East Sussex footprint calculator? Methodical and eye-opening. (www.eastsussex.gov.uk/environment/climate-change-action-in-east-sussex/what-you-can-do) Using the Goodnotes app to save another forest? Full marks (www.goodnotes.com). Let’s spread my reach even further! The Sustainable Sussex initiative? A local community centered program focused on “engaging practical projects” and “provid[ing] welcoming spaces?” Yes, please! (www.sussex.ac.uk/about/sustainability) Turns out that sustainability requires sustainable practices to be woven into your routines. Just because twenty million trees weren’t planted in your name doesn’t mean taking small, conscious steps won’t make a difference. In fact, between the digital notebook and the community ecosystem, I’d say we’ve checked off UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 11, 12, 13, and 15 without losing a beat.
Yes, scoring a 525 on the MCAT is admirable. But just as the MCAT wants us to master the physical forces that govern our universe, we must also take the time to calculate how our daily choices impact the remaining ecological resources that govern our lives. Now then, my flight back to California leaves very soon so let’s really lock in. Juice ECO power bank? Now that’s efficient. Little Soap Company shampoo bar? That’s three months of hair care down. Hydro flask? The ultimate way to hydrate. Reverse vending machine? No? That’s perfectly fine—I can pass by the one on the way to Falmer Station (www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/68115). Watch out, California. There’s a lot more in my luggage than a bag of souvenirs.
