April 22, marked another Earth Day, which for many college students was merely a way of posting about their “mother” while showing off extravagant vacations, family hikes, and photos of their summers abroad, and bikini pictures “down the shore.”

Despite our generation’s overwhelming urge to post on social media, celebrating the planet we live on doesn’t end when your Instagram story expires. 

Many of these earth day posts also primarily focus on showing off a large display of wealth and luxury. The Bahamas are beautiful, but what about your local community, your parks, the town you live in? Only showing off the world’s seven wonders are even more reason for us to be aware of these performative posts, because they usually are not accompanied by information on how to keep the earth, on a local level, clean.

Luckily, for Rowan students making an impact on the environment is something that doesn’t require a large check, crazy lifestyle change, or a change in major. There are so many opportunities for students to make a real, tangible difference, and it is the belief of The Whit Staff that we should be doing our part all year long to make a difference, not just on Earth Day.

For starters, many of our reporters have participated in Rowan’s award-winning newsroom, South Jersey Climate News. Students can join by signing up for the South Jersey News Service class in the fall, where they will be able to write stories, receive professional training, and get real world experience as journalists.

Another on-campus organization that students can get involved with is the Rowan Environmental Action League (REAL). Members organize environmental events, clothing swaps, and advocate for a clean earth. 

Ducks Unlimited is another student organization that was chartered this year, focused on preserving Rowan’s wetlands.

Aside from joining organizations on campus, students can also make simple, small lifestyle changes to live a “greener” lifestyle. This could be things like remembering your reusable bags, cooking at home, and using products that have sustainable ingredients. You can also reshare sustainable newsletters, articles, and advocate for environmentally friendly businesses and practices. 

Being environmentally friendly isn’t easy, especially when you’re in college. Convenience and price point usually takes priority even if it isn’t the most ethical way to do something. But by educating ourselves, and making an effort, no matter how big or small, change will happen.

Saving the climate crisis won’t happen overnight, but as college students and the next generation of professionals, we have the power to take action, and create the future we want. 

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