Before I started studying the environment, I was unaware of the many issues that exist in the world. I had only taken two environmental classes before starting my college education- both were electives that I chose in high school. I was not learning about these issues in school, they are rarely talked about on the news, and I was not actively looking for the information. Many people have never taken an environmental class and know very little about environmental issues, so it may not be surprising to some people that there are so many problems that the general public knows little-to-nothing about.

When I started pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, I was amazed by how little I knew. Everything was in much worse shape than I could have ever expected. “How could I have not known about this?” is something I continue to ask myself on a regular basis. For a while, I was terrified- it seemed like every day there was a new tragedy to talk about.

Why is a topic that is so relevant to the lives of every living creature on this planet something that is so rarely discussed?

Studying the environment can be extremely depressing. There is not a single inch of the Earth’s surface, water, or air that does not contain some sort of pollutant. Plants and animals of all kinds are dying. Environmental laws and regulations are being repealed. Finding out that many of the things you mindlessly do every day contribute to a variety of environmental issues is a hard pill to swallow. It’s not always easy to face the facts and reflect on them.

So how are you supposed to know what is going on if you are not pursuing a degree in environmental science?

My advice to you is to seek out information wherever you can. EcoWatch is an awesome website that will keep you up to date with major stories and events. Social media websites such as Facebook and Instagram can also be helpful, but be sure to fact check stories that may seem like they are untrue. Sometimes information can be twisted or headlines can be misleading.

Then, once you know the information, what are you supposed to do about it?

So many of us have been told since we were little kids to not keep the water running when we brush our teeth, turn off the lights when you leave a room and to not litter, but is that enough or should we all be doing more? While those things do make a difference in the grand scheme of things, there is much more work that needs to be done. There is always more that someone can do to reduce their environmental footprint. There are countless books, blogs, and videos that offer a wide variety of tips and suggestions- some more involved than others.

I recommend that you don’t torture yourself (this might sound crazy- but I mean it). If you find yourself dwelling on a sad video of a sea turtle with a straw up its nose, it might be a good idea to look up some positive news. Yes, the negative news is important to know about so you can possibly do something about it- but the success stories are equally important to keep you from getting discouraged.

The most important thing I have learned is that we all need to stay positive and keep hope that things will get better. It is easy to get overwhelmed and start to feel like nothing you do could possibly fix all that is wrong with the world. Every victory will make a difference, no matter how small. If people all around the world make simple changes to their everyday routines, we will be able to pass on a healthy planet to future generations.