Ethan Siddall

About two weeks ago, I had to research my city's watershed for one of our reflections, so I decided to expand upon that last week and read through more of my city's one hundred page water management policy. I am quite pleased at their efforts to increase reserved, untamed land around the watershed, and to refurnish former timberland while improving its biological diversity. So far, my city's efforts to meet their vision for 2053 seem mostly unabated.

Beyond that, after going on a hike with my friends in which we traversed six miles, I decided to walk at least three miles daily, like I used to in high school. Even with the snow, I still managed it. Unlike in 2018, the sidewalks weren't unevenly frozen, so I wasn't inching along to avoid slipping and sliding this time.

I also watched the short documentary called The Story of Bottled Water. It was quite interesting, if predictable, learning that five hundred million bottles of water are purchased in the United States every year. Learning about Fiji Water's attempts to denigrate Cleveland's water supply was quite funny, however, I have to disagree with the video's statement that public water is healthier and higher quality than bottled water most of the time. I'm not just talking about Flint, Michigan, either, I'm referring to places such as New York, Los Angeles, and Portland. Whether it's lead from corroded infrastructure, or excessive sedimentary loads, or disease, a great many cities in the United States have water supplies that are more polluted than they should be.

Portland, particularly, has been caught falsifying its water quality reports for years, as I've mentioned before in class. Not even my city, with a watershed as quality as they come, can escape this issue fully. My sister informed me about a year ago that our high school's tap water was laced with high concentrations of lead from degraded pipes. Of course, this was discovered only after I had graduated. I hardly ever drank from the school's water fountains, but the few times that I did, I was essentially poisoning myself. I've heard tell that even the slightest exposure to lead can reduce a child's intelligence quotient by up to seven points; maybe that's why I lost all of my mathematical skill after Algebra One (I'm mostly joking, of course). Regardless, distrust of public water supplies is more than justified, and I honestly don't fault people who purchase bottled water as an alternative. Filters are still preferable, though, no question about it.

Last week, I tried researching if my utilities company offered any renewable energy options; they did not, unfortunately. What was more productive for me was watching a documentary video about sustainability. The Eco-challenge website was kind enough to provide a list of documentaries to watch, several of which were free, and I picked The True Cost of Food. It was quite fascinating to learn that thirty-two thousand dollars is spent on a pound of beef, and that several hundred thousand gallons of water are spent on a similar amount. Corporate farming is prolific in its excess and apathy to long-term consequences.

This week, I took the opportunity to walk a trail near my home with my dog. I also was able to discuss what I had been doing in this class with some friends the other day, specifically my attempts at improving my recycling and my plans to volunteer. I have taken a greater effort to wash certain food containers that I had been throwing away previously, such as apple sauce cups and juice cartons. I have noticed that my recycling bin is noticeably more full at the end of the week, and it was already quite full to begin with.

I decided to start small this week, and focus on getting in the habit of using my water pitcher instead of bottled water again. I pulled out my old forty ounce water bottle from its cabinet, and I took the time necessary to fill the pitcher every day. The problem with the pitcher is that it holds upwards of a hundred ounces of water. Filtering that amount of water in one sitting can take as long as fifteen or even twenty minutes, which is why I usually resort to bottled water. 

However, if I refill it immediately after one use, then I'm able to replenish the pitcher without wasting time on my part. It's actually a lot more convenient for me, because I don't have to dispose of all the plastic bottles on my desk anymore. It's funny how certain habits turn out to be more efficient than others once you try them.

Currently, I'd like to consider myself at least somewhat environmentally conscious. I recycle weekly, I don't really eat meat, and I have a car, but I use it minimally. When it comes to electronics, my usage is predictably high, although that can't really be helped given current circumstances. My phone is relegated to calls and text messages only, and I use a power strip for all my computer components in order to reduce electricity consumption.

Some things I indulge in too much. For instance, I probably spend a good twenty minutes in the shower every day. I have a water pitcher attached with a filter, but I'm often too lazy to refill it, so I end up switching to the bottled water that my parents purchase for themselves. Although our recycling bin is always full at the end of the week, I could stand to recycle more things if I bothered. Certain cardboard and plastic food containers could be diverted from the trash can if I took some time to clean them in the sink first.

I have various ways that I can change my lifestyle to be more sustainable. With time, I am confident that I can enact these changes, and discover more ways that I can increase my environmental friendliness.