Saving The Planet Is Not An Instagram Fad | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Community

It's Time To Take Saving The Planet Seriously, Instead Of Making It 'Trendy'

Posting a picture on your Instagram story isn't saving any turtles, Karen.

50
Earth

There's no denying it — the Earth is dying and it's due to years and years of pollution and neglect on our part. Climate change is more real than ever now, and the public is finally taking note and fearing the worst for our planet's murky future. Which is not necessarily a bad thing; global awareness is the first step to solving a widespread problem.

However, this has gone far beyond awareness. Environmentalism has become a trendy fad.

It doesn't take a lot of expended effort to reduce our carbon footprint and lead more sustainable lives. Veering away from using plastic as often as possible and reusing our plastic bags and bottles before recycling them is a significant help, no matter how small of a step it seems.

Yet businesses are jumping in and taking advantage of our efforts to go green.

Take a look at the Hydroflask: a great product, no doubt about it, with money being pooled into the development of public parks. But one of these stainless steel flasks could set you back $40 to $80 unless you want to customize it, which I'm sure would cost extra.

But the Hydroflask is a useful investment with proceeds funneling into a worthy cause. Let's take a look at Whole Foods, which is a favorite among wealthy yuppies for selling natural and organic products. However, contrary to the store's seemingly holistic message, the CEO has made disturbing claims about climate change as something that is "natural and not necessarily bad... we will adapt to gradually rising temperatures." Essentially, you're buying your boujee organic expensive salmon from a man who's not concerned about the effect that melting ice caps can have on our planet.

Saving the turtles, which have become threatened thanks to people littering plastic everywhere, has become a big agenda on the environmentalist train. Boycotting plastic straws in exchange for metal straws seems like a healthy shift, yet is that really enough to protect this species? Scouring the beach and cleaning up the vast amount of trash as well as trying to either recycle or reuse the plastic we already have would interfere more directly with the issue of turtles and help save more aquatic species.

I'm not bashing environmentalism. I think it's absolutely necessary for us to take it upon ourselves to worry about the impact that our industrialized society has had on the planet we live on and expend our best efforts to reduce these harmful effects in the future. All I ask is that we remain a little more informed of the businesses we choose to support and that we take going green as an important cause, not just something that will look good on our Instagram feeds.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

129718
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

29602
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

27354
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments