By Samantha Hart
Staff Writer
The Earth is dying. And it’s all our fault.
It’s a common topic, especially in FDU’s area of New Jersey being so close to New York City, which is notorious for its high levels of pollution.
Many assume that this climate crisis we’re a part of means it’s the end – if you will – and that nothing but more destruction, poverty, and deprivation can come of this. It may make someone feel like they shouldn’t even bother trying to clean up the environment because it’s too far gone.
But one person can only do their part in helping protect the environment. One person alone can’t reverse the damage that has been done to this Earth. One person can make a big difference in small acts of mindfulness, kindness, and community; and it starts right here in Hackensack.
The Earth is dying. But doing something small can help stop it.
One minor yet imperative step someone in the Teaneck or Hackensack area could take would be to support local food suppliers, like Giant Farmers Market on Main Street in Hackensack. Local foods, produce especially, is much better for the environment than food from big chain suppliers that are transported from great distances.
Local food requires less transportation from the farm or factory to the table, keeping its carbon footprint small. The short distance also decreases the refrigerator time that the produce requires which also decreases the carbon footprint, according to USA Today.
Another great way to help the environment in the area is to volunteer to clean up the Hackensack River.
From April to November, the Hackensack Riverkeeper organization runs monthly cleanups of the Hackensack River either by cleaning up the river banks or properly disposing of any trash that is floating in the water.
Teaneck also has had the Teaneck Creek Conservancy since 2001. This grassroots foundation was started when a group of local teachers, plumbers, and businessmen got together as activists for the environment and Teaneck community to save areas of land from being used as landfills.
By 2006, the Teaneck Creek Park was established in a place that was once a dumping site. Today, this park can be visited daily and welcomes volunteers every Wednesday morning in the fall to help keep the site clean and ready for visitors.
By simply buying local food and produce, the environmental impacts are lessened. By cleaning up the Hackensack River or helping keep the Teaneck Creek Park from ever becoming a dumping site again.
The Earth is dying. But my community cares.
Theta, the Greek symbol of death, was used to represent the first Earth day: “E” referring to environment and “O” to organism
1) Eat local greens
2) Clean up the community
3) Save the Earth
