Sustainability efforts such as energy policy, agriculture, and building practices for the environment is something that should be honored and praised more than it is in the United States. Carbon emissions are on the rise and little is being done in the government to prevent more damage to what has been done to the environment. According to the United Nations website, there are seventeen goals for sustainability and two of them include creating a cleaner environment for everyone. It also includes sustainability for wildlife in the water and on land. Scotland’s goal to create a sustainable environment is something that all countries including the United States should model after.
At the University of Aberdeen, I will have specific goals that coincide with environmental action to reduce carbon emissions that are better for the planet. My travel plans include using an airline that uses environmentally friendly fuels for their airplanes such as British Airways. According to their website, they use a fuel known as Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF. Their goal is to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050 and use hydrogen-powered aircraft. Their goal is also to invest in more hydrogen-powered aircraft. I believe that all countries should make goals like this to make more environmentally-friendly fuels more of a priority. Other methods that will be efficient to reduce my carbon footprint is by using reusable bags as well as a reusable bottle to reduce the use of plastic. The zero waste cafe on campus is also a great way to reduce waste and to use locally sourced food as well. Another form of reducing carbon emission is to reduce meat consumption because of the resources that are used to maintain them such as land and water. According to the United Nations website, beef has the biggest production of greenhouse gases, that is 70.6 kilograms per kilogram of food. Plant rich diets and eating less animal-based foods are overall better for the environment.
The United Nations also suggests reducing your carbon footprint by limiting your electricity use. Energy efficient lighting such as LED lights are a solution to use less energy in your home. Using cold water while doing laundry is also a solution. Everyday things that we do in our daily lives have an impact on the environment much more than we realize. Taking action to change that is necessary not just for myself but for everyone and I respect the University of Aberdeen aligning with those goals to make a difference. As a citizen of the United States my country has far to go, but I hope that they will take the steps eventually to make changes. The United Kingdom is a good model to take after and for inspiration. Climate action is essential for sustainability for all living things, especially for future generations to have a healthy planet to live on.
