local teen voices
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint Takes More Than a Light Step “Carbon footprint,” a term that has gained popularity in recent years, refers to the carbon emissions given off by a particular individual or group. Many businesses, governments and individuals are trying to take steps that reduce carbon emissions as much as possible. Here are some New York organizations that encourage individuals to reduce their carbon footprint in the home and beyond, along with ways people can be part of the change to a more eco-friendly future. The
Safina Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Setauket, New York, dedicated to bettering the environmental movement. Since its founding in 2003, the Safina Center has aimed to inspire and engage the public to devote time and energy to reduce their carbon footprint and conserve the various ecosystems around the globe. Senior fellows, junior fellows and staff members create and spread ideas about being a better ally to the environment and preserving wildlife and wild places. According to the center, these ideas are portrayed “in the form of award-winning books and articles, scientific research, photography, films, sound-art, and spoken words.” The works “bear firsthand witness and then we speak up, we speak
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out, and we teach,” keeping the mission of the Safina Center strong.
For more information about the fellows and staff at the Safina Center, visit SafinaCenter.org. Adelphi University is a world-renowned private institution in Garden City, New York, known for its research and academics. The Environmental Action Coalition (EAC) is a studentrun organization at Adelphi “dedicated to education, sustainability, and environmental equity,” says President Kelly Andreuzzi. As a group, the EAC partners with several organizations on Long Island, such as FoodPrint Edu and the Factory Farming Awareness Coalition, to educate students and faculty on how different agricultural practices influence the planet. “The single biggest thing a person can do to fight climate change is to advocate,” Andreuzzi says. “Any advocacy is important—whether it’s letter writing, calling your officials, communicating with your community and/or attending climate rallies.” Advocating is vital to reduce the carbon footprint of municipalities and not just one’s individual footprint, she says.
For more information about the work of the EAC at Adelphi University, follow their Instagram page @eacpanthers. Climate Smart Communities (CSC) is a government-funded New York State initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of local communities. Becoming a CSC consists of 12 pledge elements that a community must
