Earth Month Challenge Reflection Week 1

This first challenge week went okay, but not as well as I would have liked.  It was difficult for me to remember that the challenge had started and I should be making efforts to fulfill my week 1 goals.  My challenge for this pas week was to reduce my personal food waste and learn more about what OSU does and does not recycle.  I learned that many common items are not recyclable on campus.  Things like paper towels, napkins, straws, and coffee cups, for instance cannot be recycled here.  Additionally, OSU does not recycle plastic numbers 3-7 unless the item is bottle shaped.  To help with this challenge in the ensuing weeks, I should post reminders of the recycling guidelines above the trash cans and the recycling cans in my dorm room.  To help me reduce the amount of food wasted at mealtimes I should only get a small amount of food, initially and then go back to get more if I am still hungry.  Likewise, if eating out at a restaurant I should package my leftovers and take them home so that I can eat it at another time.  I think that next week will be easier because I already use reusable cups and bags on a daily basis.  The only major obstacle that I foresee in next week’s challenge is that I do not know if all of the cafes on campus allow students to use their own cups to get coffee.  Either way, I am excited to begin the second week of the challenge while continuing to recycle and limit my food waste.

Earth Month Challenge Proposal

During the first week of the Earth month challenge, I have chosen to focus on reducing the amount of food waste that I don’t eat during a given day.  For this first week I will also try to learn what kinds of plastics, paper, glass, etc OSU recycles.  The next week, I will continue to week 1’s challenge and add a new one.  For week 2, I will reduce my waste production by using only reusable cups, bottles, plates and bags.  I will also try to bring my own reusable mug to get coffee at cafes rather than wasting more paper cups.  On the third week, I will add the challenge of limiting my meat consumption and eating more organic and locally sourced food.  On the last week, I will try to use non toxic and all natural cleaning products and beauty products.

I think it will be difficult to eat more organic and locally sourced food because, in a dining hall, I don’t really have a choice over where the food comes from.  Likewise, using natural cleaning and beauty products will be challenging because I already have a supply of products, so I may need to buy new ones if they are not safe for the environment.  To check if the products I already have are safe I will visit the EPA’s site (http://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/products) to see a list of environmentally friendly products. To ensure that I properly utilize the recycling bin, I will go to https://fod.osu.edu/recycling/ to see what OSU recycles and what it does not.

Earth Month Challenge (part 1)

For the Earth Month Challenge I chose to focus on the area of Waste and Toxicity.  I was drawn to that area because it is a problem that I am confronted with on a daily basis and I wanted to learn how to help fix it. I, like most people are unaware of how much waste one actually produces during a given day, let alone a lifetime.  In participating in this challenge I hope to learn how to decrease my waste output and lower my carbon footprint.  Likewise, I am excited to learn about the toxicity of everyday products and activities and how I can make a difference.  As I am deeply interested in sciences (specifically chemistry) I have heard about the harmful chemicals in products like shampoo. Through this project, I want to learn more about the actual effects of these supposed dangerous chemicals and if they are indeed bad for the environment. Thankfully there are many ways that someone can help reduce their environmental impact.  For instance, in the area of waste and toxicity one can decrease their impact if they:

  • Upcycle trash like, jars, boxes, bags, old clothes, etc.
  • Use reusable bags at the store
  • Purchase organic food
  • Package leftovers in glass or plastic containers rather than plastic bags or foil
  • Don’t buy individually wrapped snacks or single serve containers
  • Buy rechargable batteries/properly dispose of old batteries
  • Subscribe to online magazines and pay bills online
  • Buy non-toxic products
  • Use cloth towels and napkins rather than paper
  • Don’t get more food than you will eat. Instead go back for more if you’re still hungry
  • Compost food scraps
  • Only buy from environmentally friendly companies that dispose of their waste properly
  • Don’t use/ buy makeup, soap, shampoo, or cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals
  • Properly dispose of medications
  • Properly utilize the recycling bin

 

Columbus and OSU have many resources related to decreasing waste and toxicity.  For instance three resources include:

  • Zero waste volunteer opportunities
  • Organic stores like Whole Foods or Lucy’s Market
  • Environmental/recycling clubs at OSU

These resources can help people and OSU students learn how to reduce their waste as well as their toxic impact on the environment. Similarly, organic and local food stores allow people to purchase foods that lower their footprint and are better for the environment.

 

There are also many online resources that can help people decrease their waste and toxicity impact.  For instance:

These websites are helpful because they educate consumers on how to recycle and what kinds of products are made with safe chemicals.  Similarly, the last site gives project ideas for how to upcycle, which is a great way to reduce waste.

Columbus To Do List (part 1)

For the Columbus to do list assignment, I am choosing option 2 which consists of attending three OAC clinics or one OAC trip.  I am most looking forward to learning new outdoor adventure skills.  For instance one clinic that I am very excited to go to is one that focuses on rappelling. Rappelling is a way of moving down a steep incline or overhang with a rope and a device called a friction hitch.  I am also looking forward to go Geocaching, which seems like treasure hunting for grownups!  This is an activity where you hunt for and find a hidden object using GPS coordinates.  In completing this assignment, I hope to learn some new skills and possible find a new passion.  I would love to discover a new activity that I can learn to do and also make new friends in the process!  I am also hoping that this assignment will help me get over a few fears.  I am a slightly afraid of heights, so I think learning to rappel and rock climb will help me overcome that fear.  I am preparing for the clinics by researching the skill as well as the activities beforehand.  In doing this, I am preparing myself so that I know what I will be doing and so that I am mentally ready to do something I may be afraid of.

Sustainable Design in Your Career

         

I chose to watch Mark Kendall’s talk on needle free vaccines and Michael Pawlyn’s talk on utilizing nature and its incredible architecture.  I selected these talks based on my personal interests in the environment and medicine.  While I don’t quite know what career I want to pursue, I am interested in viruses and vaccines.  Likewise, I am fascinated by the intricate structures found in nature and how humans and harness those ideas to become more sustainable. The need for greater sustainability is especially pertinent in medicine because of the large amount of waste that is generated.  Kendall’s vaccine patch would not only be cheaper, more effective, and more pleasant, but it would also decrease waste.  Additionally, I thought it was interesting that the design of the syringe has not been greatly altered since its creation about 160 years ago.  Because the mechanism works, it seems that no one has questioned if there is a better way to deliver vaccines.  A similar idea is presented in Pawlyn’s talk on biomimicry.  He stresses the need to take cues from nature when trying to find sustainable ways to build, harvest energy, and food, and restore the environment.  He mentions that rather than thinking of about how to dispose of waste, we should focus on how to use it.  This idea idea stood out to me because, although it requires more thought and effort, it has the potential to eliminate waste that would just sit in a landfill.  

These tenets of sustainable design greatly impact all of our lives.  As our resources continue to be depleted, the problems that are created become both environmental and economic issues.  While many people are unmotivated to become more sustainable based on the environmental consequences of being unsustainable, most people can get behind the economic incentive.  Thus, I hope that in the near future, businesses, hospitals, construction companies, and other aspects of society will focus on becoming more sustainable so that later generations can live on a healthy planet for many years to come.

Year in Review

Service Reflection

           Over the course of this semester, I participated in many different types of service experiences.  With Environment and Natural Resources Scholars, I took part in the Olentangy River cleanup, and in apple picking for the Mid-Ohio food bank.  I choose to participate in the river cleanup because I thought that it would be fun to explore the river and help clean the surrounding area at the same time.  I decided to help pick apples for the foodbank because I really enjoy apple picking and I wanted to help out the food bank.  I also participated independently in service over fall break and thanksgiving break.  I helped out at my local Habitat for Humanity branch because it’s fun and a great way to give back to my local community.  The river cleanup addressed environmental issues, while apple picking and working with Habitat for Humanity focused on more social and economic problems.  I can continue to address similar environmental issues by recycling and participating in more cleanup projects.  Similarly, I can further address the social and economic issues by continuing to volunteer for organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

          For the most part, my experiences did align with expectations.  For apple picking and the river cleanup, I expected to do those types of activities, however working with Habitat for Humanity was more of a surprise.  Since I was not able to go out on a build project, they had me doing various projects in the warehouse and in the office.  For example, I sorted and priced objects that were to be sold in the store, helped build benches and painted an employee’s office.  While that work was important, I did not expect to do any kind of sorting or painting.  During my service opportunities I learned that it is very important to listen to and follow the instructions given by the project coordinator.  Similarly, in order to be focused and efficient,  it is necessary to dress appropriately for the task that you are going to be doing.  If I could participate in these service opportunities again, I would make sure that I got the chance to help build houses with Habitat for Humanity.  If repeating the river cleanup, I would definitely bring bug spray and wear longer pants.  There were many mosquitos down by the river and I got bit numerous times!  The cleanup was difficult because the trash bags became quite heavy and at one point, my bag ripped and leaked muddy water all over the ground!  Similarly, the trash pickers were ill suited to pick up glass shards, which was most what the litter consisted of.  Despite this, however, it was very satisfying to see the difference that we made.  The riverbank looked much cleaner and it was neat to see all of the bags full of trash that we removed from the environment.  By engaging in volunteer and service projects, I have learned that I really enjoy making a difference, whether it’s in community or in the environment.  It feels amazing to know that I was able to help make the lives of others better in someway.  LIkewise, I have learned that I am very passionate about having a clean and healthy environment.  I would love to do more cleanup projects in the future, if given the opportunity.  

Columbus To Do List

1. Zencha Tea Salon

20151119_191019_HDR

Getting to the Zencha Tea salon was surprisingly easy!  I walked from Morrill Tower to the Union and took a COTA bus from campus to the start of the Short North.  From there I only had to walk a few blocks until I arrived at the shop.  The interior of Zencha had a simplistically beautiful asian themed design that was both calming and welcoming.  Their tea selection was quite large and filled with exotic teas arranged by nationality.  I was pleasantly surprised that they also served unique foods like earl gray pancakes!  It was nice to see that you can purchase Zencha’s loose leaf tea as well.  I would love to go back to Zencha with my mother and my twin sister, both of whom love exotic tea!

 

2. Impero Coffee

20151119_192036_HDR

Walking to Impero Coffee shop was very simple as it is only a four minute walk down north high street from Zen Cha.  The inside of Impero was simply decorated with dark walls and warm lighting.  Like most coffee shops, their drink menu was written with chalk on a big blackboard behind the counter.  While the restaurant was fairly small they had plenty of seating so that customers could sit and enjoy their drinks.  My favorite thing about Impero was that it had a cozy atmosphere and the entire shop smelled like delicious coffee!  I also liked that they offered a few unusual drinks like cubano coffee, that one does not typically see in most coffee shops in ohio.  The barista (who can be seen in the picture) was very friendly and knowledgeable and even told me about other coffee shops in the area that I could visit!

 

3. Fox in the Snow

20151122_124521_HDR

I drove to Fox in the Snow with my friend who has a car on campus.  Because this shop is located in the Italian Village and is slightly farther away from the rest of the coffee shops on North high, driving made getting to Fox in the Snow much easier.  This cafe was built out of a renovated mason garage, which gives this shop a cozy and rustic vibe!  Fox in the Snow was decorated in grayscale colors and accented with wood floors and counters and cacti plants.  I found it very interesting that rather than cash registers, they used ipads and plugin card readers to make transactions. I ordered a cappuccino, which was both beautiful and delicious!  I would love to return to Fox in the Snow and bring my some of my friends and family members who enjoy good, strong coffee.

 

4. Kafe Kerouac

20151123_100357_HDR[1]

To get to Kafe Kerouac, I took a CABS bus from Morrill tower to the Union and walked for 15 minutes down high street.  It would have been a very nice walk, but it was very cold and windy!  Thankfully, the bitter weather conditions made visiting the cafe even more fun!  Kafe Kerouac’s interior was very homey and had many mismatched, beat up tables and couches.  I thought it was very interesting that the walls were decorated with art from local artists that was available for purchase.  Similarly, there were countless bookshelves filled with novels, poetry, plays, and comics that you could buy as well.  Of all the coffee shops that I visited for this project, kafe Kerouac had the most interesting menu!  All of their special drinks were named after famous authors such as JRR Tolkien, Toni Morrison, Mark Twain, and Kurt vonnegut.  I decided to order the drink named after Franz Kafka, which was coffee flavored with vanilla and peppermint.  The drink was delicious and served in a ceramic mug, which I loved.  I would very much like to go back to kafe Kerouac with my twin sister who is an avid reader and also loves coffee.

 

5. Cup O’ Joe

IMG_2333

To get to Cup of Joe, I walked to the union and then took a COTA bus down high street for about 10 minutes.  This coffee shop had very friendly staff and a calm atmosphere.  The Barista’s were quick to make conversation and asked if we were college students from OSU.  The inside of Cup O’ Joe was brightly decorated and had a very laid back vibe.  It was interesting that the menu offered many drink choices beyond coffee, as well as the classics.  They also served food, which looked delicious!  My favorite thing about Cup O’ Joe was that their tip jars were very creative!  I really liked this coffee shop and I would like I would very much like to go back sometime.

 

Conclusion

I learned a lot about Columbus and cities in general from this assignment!  Before I began this project, I was very nervous about going to the city of Columbus.  I thought that I would have a hard time navigating through the city and using the COTA bus, but it was really not that difficult.  I made good use of google maps, the COTA bus schedule and the help of my friends to ensure that I made it to all my destinations.  I really enjoyed visiting all of the coffee shops in Columbus!  While these days it seems like the only cafe’s are starbucks, it is nice to find that there are more traditional coffee shop options as well.  If someone wanted to complete the same list, I would recommend that they plan out their trip before they leave.  This means knowing what bus to take at which stop and also how to get home.  Overall, I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot about Columbus by completing this project.

Artifacts

Mentor Meeting Questions:

  1. Where is the best place on campus to study?
  2. How have you chosen to get involved on campus?
  3. What advice do you have for making the most of the ENR program?
  4. What is your dream job and why?
  5. How do you balance academics and involvement?

I learned a lot from interviewing my Saplings Mentor, Sydney Base-Smith.  As we are both in University Exploration, we know the difficulties of choosing the right major.  When it seems like everyone has their entire lives mapped out, it can be very stressful being undecided.  It is relieving to know that I am not the only one who does not yet know what career path I want to pursue.  Additionally, it is very comforting to know that I have someone who can help me adjust to life at the Ohio state University who went through the same thing just last year.  Because Syd is a fellow student, she can give me the best advice so that my transition from high school to college runs as smoothly as possible.   One of the obstacles in this transition is the increase in coursework and studying.  With this increased workload, it is crucial to find a good, productive location for studying.  However, with a campus this large and resourceful, it may be difficult to find the ideal space.  So far, I have only studied in the traditional library setting, but Syd mentioned that her favorite place to study is in a flower garden on west campus.  I can’t wait to try it out for myself and experience the peace and quiet that she said it offers.  Another issue is student involvement.  Syd told me that she is very involved with ENR as a saplings mentor and as a member on the leadership council.  While I have yet to decide where I want to get involved, I am now interested in getting more involved with ENR.  I think it would be fun to help plan ENR events and activities as a member on the leadership council.  Similarly, Syd mentioned that the best way to make the most out of ENR is to go to as many meetings and events as possible.  While we are only required to attend a certain number of events, going to more can help me discover extracurricular and career interests, as well as become an active and productive member of the program.  Another piece of advice I learned from this meeting is that academics should always come before involvement.  Although they are both important, academics should definitely be a priority.  This means that developing good time management skills early on will be crucial.  Syd said her dream job was to be either a park ranger or a speaker who educates children about wildlife and other environmental topics.  She mentioned that while theses professions may not make as much money she might like them to, they would certainly make her happy.  It is inspiring for me to see someone who wants to chase after their dreams and not a paycheck.  In finding the right major and career path for me, I plan to decide based on what I am truly interested in.  I think that it is important to find a job that you enjoy and look forward to going to everyday.   Similary, like Syd, I want to do something where I am making some kind of difference in the world.  In order to figure out what this “something” is, I plan to make use of the many resources that the University Exploration program offers.  I will also look for shadow opportunities and internship positions so that I can see if am actually interested in a particular job.