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. 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.

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 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

display, ranging from decreasing energy use to enhancing community resilience. Out of the 28 certified CSCs on Long Island, five are bronze and one is silver, which is the highest possible honor. In New York, only 82 communities are certified bronze and eight silver, meaning that Long Island holds a large share of the recognition awarded by the program. For more information about the program and to discover if your local municipality is a member, visit their website at ClimateSmart.ny.gov.

Tips for shrinking our carbon footprint

With the ever-changing science of global warming, finding a place to start shrinking our carbon footprint can be overwhelming. Many significant ways to reduce carbon emissions include investing in a geothermal heating and cooling system, installing solar panels, donating to a carbon offset program or switching to an electric car. However, the smaller things we can do are just as important. Some examples are buying sustainably sourced meat products, avoiding cryptocurrency, carpooling, reducing water usage, avoiding single-use plastics and advocating for change at the local, state and national levels. As the organizations above have shown us, everyone can make a step in the right direction and preserve our planet by reducing carbon emissions.

Erica Bender is a 17-year-old currently finishing high school in Connecticut. She plans to study biology on a dual-degree track at Fordham University. She enjoys inspiring others to care about the environment through writing and advocacy and wants to ensure that wildlife and wild places are preserved for generations to come.

HOLISTIC DENTAL & WELLNESS CENTER

DR. NORMAN BRESSACK | DR. BATOOL F. RIZVI

Batool F. Rizvi, D.D.S., P.C.

strives to keep her patients smiling from the inside out. She believes in a holistic approach to health care. Her gentle touch, excellent listening skills and thorough explanations keep her patients educated, happy and healthy. Dr. Rizvi offers her Dental services with an integrative and systemic philosophy in mind. She is one of the few doctors placing metal-free Zirconia Implants, and safely removing mercury fi llings using the Huggins Protocol. Dr. Rizvi offers a full range of Dental services, treating both adults and children. In association with Dr. Norman Bressack, Dr. Rizvi provides all of Dr. Bressack’s services as well as:

• Metal Free Braces – Clear Aligner Therapy • Metal Free Zirconia Implant Placement • SMART Certifi ed Safe Mercury Removal

Norman Bressack, D.D.S., P.C.

has been dedicated to practicing healthy holistic dentistry for over 35 years. He is not only a mercury free dentist but a “mercury safe” dentist as well. Meaning that he uses safe removal protocols to ensure the protection of the patient, staff, environment and himself from exposure to mercury during the amalgam removal process. Dr. Bressack’s mission is to treat his patients in the most healthy, caring, compassionate, and holistic way possible. Most importantly, he wants his patients to feel warm, welcome and happier when they leave than when they came in.

• Member of The International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology • Member of the International Association of Mercury-free Dentists • Trained At The Huggins Diagnostic Center

• Mercury Free & BPA Free

Composite Fillings • 90% Less Radiation with Computer

X-Ray Imaging • Over 45 Years Experience

Dedicated to our Patient’s Needs • Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatments with Scientifi cally Proven Results • Metal Free Crowns &

Cosmetic Dentistry • Teeth Whitening • Oral Pathology Screening with Velscope • Tens Cam Treatments – Energetic

Healing for Pain & Infl ammation • Ozone Therapy • Free 15 min Consult for 2nd Opinion of Proposed Treatment • Natural Bone Grafting with Stem

Cells and PRF – Platelet Rich Fibrin

1692 Newbridge Rd., N. Bellmore, NY 11710 | 516-221-7447 www.Holisticdds.com | mercuryfreedoc@holisticdds.com

HOLISTIC DENTAL & WELLNESS CENTER

Your Body Sings You!

A Zoom workshop with Jean McClelland

(all sessions are recorded) Four sessions, Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30 pm, June 8 - June 29

Sponsored by JazzVoice.com

Jean McClelland

Voice, Breathing and the Alexander Technique

10 Reasons to Start a Backyard Garden

by Nick Cinque

In the suburbs of Long Island, there is plenty of potential for someone to start their very own home vegetable and/or fruit garden. Lots of people already have gardens and reap their many benefits. Here are 10 reasons to consider starting a garden today.

1. Organic Produce

One of the biggest reasons people start vegetable and/ or fruit gardens is the fresh organic produce. With a garden, you know where your food is coming from and what’s on it—or, more importantly, what’s not on it. Many people choose to garden because it provides them control over how their food is grown.

2. Fresher Food

There’s a good chance that produce at the local grocery store may not be ripe yet or may be damaged from shipping. Many crops are picked too early, and by the time they’re sold, they aren’t as fresh as homegrown. Think of lettuce picked from a garden 30 minutes ago versus lettuce that’s been packed and sitting on a grocery shelf for some time. Home gardening solves this problem, essentially guaranteeing produce harvested at its peak ripeness.

3. Better Taste

Food from a garden tastes so much better than its store-bought commercialized competition. Produce from stores is harvested weeks prior and forced to ripen in the box, which has a significant impact on taste. The superior taste of fruits and vegetables picked off the plant are so recognized it has sparked a revolution in the restaurant industry with the farm-to-table trend. Many of us can attest to the taste difference of a warm, fresh tomato picked off the plant with a sprinkle of salt.

4. Cost Savings

After the startup costs, a home garden saves money! There are many ways to increase those savings, such as starting seeds instead of buying plants, and composting instead of buying soil. It’s possible to lower a produce bill significantly or completely eliminate it, depending on the yield. A garden can save someone anywhere from $100 all the way up to $1,000.

5. Recycling

With a garden, composting and reusing daily food waste and byproducts is essential. Banana peels, eggshells and coffee grounds are just a few of the items that can find a new home in a garden as compost. Compost makes great, dense, nutrient-rich soil that crops love. This all helps contribute to a no-waste environment.

6. Time Outside

In today’s world, when we’re using technology more and more in everyday life, a garden is a great escape. Doing

basic maintenance in the garden can yield anywhere from half an hour all the way to a few hours off the phone or computer and spent outside. Other benefits associated with gardening are exercise and exposure to sunshine. From weeding to tilling, home gardeners will definitely burn a few calories working while boosting their vitamin D.

7. The Rewarding Aspect

When it’s time to harvest crops, there’s a feeling of accomplishment that comes from turning a little seed into a fruit-bearing plant. The fruits of our labor are the ultimate rewards of gardening.

8. Freedom of Choice

With a home garden, we’re in control and can decide what we want to grow. We’re free to experiment and try out new plants and potentially add new staples to our diet.

9. Cleaner Food

A recurring problem with store produce is the possibility of contamination. This problem happens more than most people think, with E. coli being a common bacteria found on store-bought fruits and veggies.

10. A Productive Hobby

Gardening provides new skills in self-sustainability along with a respect for nature. Gardeners can learn from each other what crops perform well and share tips for higher yields. Gardening is a great introduction to many more agriculturerelated hobbies, such as beekeeping and backyard chickens.

Nicholas Cinque is a gardener, beekeeper and fisherman. He enjoys working in his garden, hiking, fishing and boating. He writes to inspire the youth to go outside more often and enjoy nature.