Hello everyone
I’m BACK!
Maybe you’ve seen me in an earlier edition of Unikum as “Myteknuseren”. Not only busting myths but CRUSHING them. Myths about student politics to be specific. This time around I’ll serve you some myths about environmental issues and student impact. Should we make use of this impact?
MYTH NUMBER ONE: CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IS EXPENSIVE
This is often used as an argument on why it’s hard or difficult to care for the environment. In my experience, it’s not. Bring your own coffee cup to lectures, you might pass a conference or an open meeting at uni where they serve coffee. Why not have a sip? Bringing a tote bag to the grocery store saves you money on plastic bags. Need a new winter jacket? Check out the app Tise. Become fashionably renewed for half the price! Many spoiled rich kids sell their expensive clothes for just about nothing.
MYTH NUMBER TWO: THERE‘S NO POINT IN RECYCLING
What’s the point of recycling? Sometimes Norwegians seem possessed by recycling. Maybe we are. Because if we don’t recycle the Green Troll will in fact* hunt us down. On the other hand; if we are good at recycling, a lucky child will get a beautiful toy for Christmas made of recycled butter containers. What a perk!
MYTH NUMBER THREE: MY INDUVIDUAL CONSUMPTION DOESN’T HAVE AN EFFECT
The textile industry is responsible for 8 % of global emissions. That’s more than the air traffic and shipping industry combined. To produce a pair of jeans they use 7000 liters of water. So, what about not buying clothes for a year? Or using all of the good vintage and secondhand stores in the city instead of fast fashion? Go for it – at least I do! Cheaper, stylish AND better for mother earth. What a deal!
MYTH NUMBER FOUR: GRASS IS YOUR ONLY DIET OPPTION TO SAVE THE PLANET
Of course vegetables, fruits and grains make a smaller ecological footprint than meat does. Therefore we should reduce our meat consumption. But hey! It’s also against human nature to make huge changes in a small amount of time. Go for meatless dinners every other day. And step by step swap the “meat days” with chicken or fish. It’s doesn’t just help with the environmental stuff, it’s also good for your health and your student wallet. But if you happen to have a golden student wallet, go ecological and local – that’s even better!
MYTH NUMBER FIVE: MAN-MADE GLOBAL WARMING IS A HOAX
JUST NO. Read the reports.
If you are tired of the debates, endless responsibility and arguments. Don’t do the daily changes for the big fuzzy environmental world goal. Do it for yourself. Your own health and wallet – I think you’ll be surprised by the positive impact it has on your life.
XOXO The Myth Crusher
Written by Olea Norset / STA
