We don’t come across good planets very often. Because of that, reducing your carbon footprint is vital to the wellbeing of Earth.
Typically, for one day each year, people all over the world are more conscious about carbon emissions and unnecessary waste. Earth Day is an impressive 24 hours filled with business people riding their rarely used bikes to work and suburban families putting that red recycling box on their driveway for the first time. But these activism inspiring practices and this mindset is uncommon during any other time of the year.
That’s not the case for the Hastings High science club. Each year the group of roughly 30 freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors host Go Green Week. The seven day period brings eco friendly practices to light.
Throughout the week of May 2 to May 6, HHS will make recycling a cool thing to do – and it won’t just be a hobby of tree hugging hippies.
“We are conducting a “Go Green Week” where students can take part in recycling activities to raise awareness about recycling. We are going to pick up trash around lakes and parks and try to recycle as much as possible,” sophomore vice president Mara Franssen said.
The club always strives to get as many students involved as possible. One of the target groups of students is the freshmen class. To get the underclassmen involved, there will be a Freshmen Mentoring Program activity to create door posters for each FMP room. The winner will receive a prize.
Other engaging activities include a photo booth during lunch, a bake sale in the science wing, trash pick up for all students, and an artwork contest.
The science club has divided into committees for the week, and each committee is in charge of making its respective activity a success.
Not all high school students feel inclined to willingly recycle, so club members hope that this week will change their views on the state of our environment.
“Recycling is good for the planet and the more people that participate the better because it makes the environment a better place to live. Students need to get involved because it is a good awareness to take part in, and it needs all the support it can receive,” sophomore member Haylee O’Connell said.
Franssen said that after the week is over, there are still measures Hastings High students can take to reduce their carbon footprint.
“I think our school can be more eco friendly by reducing the amount of styrofoam we use in our lunches. I think we need a better recycling system for all of the plastic bottles from the concession stands,” Franssen said.
Both members encourage everyone, regardless of age, to take the necessary measures to make the planet a better place to live. Frassen said that if someone finds recycling unimportant, she would advise them to reconsider the consequences of their actions.
We have been given one planet to live on, and we should do everything in our power (or at least try a little harder) to appreciate Earth.
For more information on how you can take part in Earth saving activities, check out https://www.epa.gov/recycle.
