Flying High With Purpose- Carbon Reduction Challenge Student Blog Series
By Elizabeth Jang
A number of recent experiences have deepened my appreciation for the environment and have made me more aware of the importance of being a steward for the environment. For instance, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Georgia Tech’s Lorraine campus for my Spring 2016 semester. As I travelled on my own, I quickly discovered that I preferred exploring mountains to the city. Climbing high and seeing a new location from above, I gained a greater appreciation of a place. Whenever I went on a hike, I felt the responsibility to do my part in preserving the environment so that in the future I could return to these same places to rediscover their natural beauty. On another trip overseas—this time to Asia—I once again felt the duty to live in a more environmentally-friendly way. I had to wear a facemask to protect my lungs because the air was so thick with smog. Even after I went home and was able to live mask-free, I felt sad for the people who lived there since they weren’t able to breathe fresh air. I also hoped that America would never become so polluted that its citizens would need to wear masks. A final recent inspiration for my commitment to the environment has come from my sister who has decided to live a zero-waste life. I have been learning a great deal from her about how much trash one person generates in his or her lifetime, and how even a small act (such as not using straws) can impact the environment for the better.
