Sqwatch

When we talk about sustainability, we need to zoom out to recognize the deep connections we as a people have with our environment. If we only think about practicing sustainability from a traditional environmental perspective, focusing only on ecosystems and conservation, it is easy to lose sight of these connections. Keeping a primarily ecological view such as this one makes it easy to fall into the trap of thinking that nature exists separately from people, and ignoring the perspectives and realities of much of the world. 

Even when we do our best to reduce food waste, it's inevitable some scraps will need to be disposed of. It’s important to ensure that this waste ends up in the proper receptacle - your compost bin!

When thinking about sustainability and food, it's important to think about how the food was produced. Food production and transport can be a significant contributor to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing temperatures and changing weather patterns can disrupt the production and availability of food. 

Cars can be a quick and convenient way to get where you’re going - but they have an invisible impact. In many countries, including the U.S., transportation is the source of the majority of greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, around one third of food produced in the US ends up as waste. Unnecessarily and improperly disposed food waste can exacerbate the climate crisis. When thrown into landfills, food waste generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas, while also wasting the fuel and energy used for the product’s production and transportation. 

Energy and climate change feed off of each other, causing problems for all of us. The energy sector is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gasses - which cause warming temperatures. As the climate warms, it increases the demand for electrical-powered cooling, putting stress on our energy supply and leading to more emissions. 

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are known for our rainy weather, so it can feel like we have an unlimited supply of water year round. However, even our local water supply is under pressure from climate change - in the warmer months we rely on a strong snowpack to keep reservoirs full, and that snowpack will reduce as weather warms. To ensure that our water is being protected, we must use it consciously now.  

Have you ever wondered how you can live sustainably to help our global environment flourish? Well look no further! UW Sustainability, with the help of our mascot Sqwatch, will be sharing some tips and tricks on how to reduce your daily environmental impact regularly here on our blog.