Arcadia Ireland

Today is the third International Day of Clean Air for blue skies which began in 2019 on 7 September.  This year the theme is ‘The Air We Share’.  It focuses on the transboundary nature of air pollution highlighting the need for collective accountability and collective action. Air pollution knows no national borders and is all pervasive.

More information on this topic is -here

What does this mean to you and how can you play your part as a student in Ireland? Okay, you don't have a car and you can't control the type of insulation inside your student accommodation but you can control some things! 

Here are some basic ways in which you CAN in fact make a difference by doing lots of small things! 

Think of your trips this Semester! Consider Sail Rail

Not to use the guilt trip but how many flights do you plan on taking? Could you take the ferry? Did you know that you can now take a ferry from Ireland and a direct train from the terminal in England to London? It takes longer but it can be done! SailRail - Travel to the UK by Rail and Ferry (irishrail.ie)

Turn Off Lights When Not in Use

Don’t keep the lights or other electric devices on. The more traditional power that you are using, the more energy you’re wasting, and the more that you’re polluting the air.

Always Use Recyclable Products

Always use recyclable products if you have access to them and the ability to choose them. They take less power to make than other products.

Use Both Sides of Paper

Use both sides of a piece of paper. Otherwise, you’re just being wasteful with the things that you are using.

Reuse Paper Bags

Reuse paper bags; they work really well for almost anything you can imagine and they are recycled in the first place.

Avoid Plastic Bags

They are made from oil products and they can hurt the environment because it takes them forever to decompose (and some never decompose).

Use Blankets When it is Cold Outside

On the other side of that coin, if it isn’t exceptionally cold, consider just putting a blanket or extra layers on to take the chill off instead of wasting heat.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Recycle as much as you can so that it can be reused later on in other products. That way, you aren’t adding to the problem by adding additional products to the mix of what is going on.

Buy Items Made From Recycled Materials

If possible, purchase items made up of recycled materials rather than buying fresh products. This will reduce the need to buy new raw materials to produce fresh items. When you are on a shopping spree, look for items having a recycle logo or are at-least made from recyclable content.