The global pandemic has shaped so much of our health, our livelihoods, our learning, and our activities. The world has changed so much in 2020 that few of us could have imagined before. This health crisis also invited us to fundamentally rethink our relationship with nature, ecosystems, and biodiversity. As we reflect on our goals for the year ahead – 2021 is a crucial year that we should appreciate the vital role of our planet and to practice a sustainable way of living.
PolyU has been educating the University community about the need to reduce plastic waste and give up disposable cutleries for the sake of the environment. In the year 2020, the pandemic changes the way we eat out, and takeaways and deliveries reach an all-time high. It is easy to understand that the pandemic outbreak is not the reason to build a reliance on single-use plastics. Reusable cutleries are the best and tasty, eco-friendly alternative to make our meals enjoyable. Can we make one small step and opt out from receiving plastic utensils in the new year?
For the sake of convenience and the fear of the pandemic outbreak, some people turn to buy bottled water and packaged beverages. In PolyU, measures are in effect to prevent the sale of bottled water of less than 1 liter on campus, and there are practices to encourage more sustainable dining and drinking habits. The University encourages the campus community to practice bring-your-own and put a stop to the indulgence of bottled water. Can we follow this in the new year?
PolyU actively promotes a resource-conscious way of living and encourages the campus community to review their buying and consumption patterns. As the pandemic took hold, some people shop online more frequently and they may likely get something more than they need. Can we be more determined to trim unnecessary spending and cut down the possible shopping addiction in the new year?
It’s time to make our best intentions and keep to our promises. We are all held responsible to protect the fragile planet we are living on and if we can adapt to live more sustainably day to day, this will make a huge difference. There are realistic changes we can make in our life to help make 2021 greener than before.
