Environmental Wellness
"Nature is doing her best each moment to make us well."
-Henry David Thoreau
Environmental wellness is an awareness of the state of the earth and the effects of your daily habits on the physical environment. It consists of maintaining a way of life that maximizes harmony with the earth and minimizes harm to the environment. It includes being involved in socially responsible activities to protect the environment.
Examples of environmental threats include:
- ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight
- air, chemical, noise, and water pollution, and
- Second-hand smoke.
Although some environmental concerns are beyond your control, there are things that can be done to promote environmental wellness and promote a healthier earth for the future.
Always remember the 3 R’s of consumerism:
- Reduce the amount of pollution you generate;
- Reuse containers, bags, and batteries; and
- Recycle paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic.
Although you may feel a bit overwhelmed with the numerous environmental issues, every little change you make does count. If everyone made individual adjustments in their life, the impact on the environment would be great.
Tips for optimal environmental wellness:
- Stop your junk mail
- Conserve water and other resources
- Minimize chemical use
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Renew your relationship with the earth
- Whenever possible, don’t buy what you don’t need
- To cut down on pollution, walk, ride your bike, or car-pool whenever possible
- Always turn your lights and appliances off when not using them
Environmental Wellness at UND
Recycle Mania
Facilities
Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC)
Soaring Eagle Prairie Garden
Center for Student Involvement and Leadership
Environmental Wellness at the Wellness Center
Reuse-A-Shoe: Turn your old sports shoes into places to play! During the whole month of April, drop off your old athletic shoes to be recycled into sports and playground surfaces through Nike’s Reuse –A-Shoe. Please only drop off tennis shoes. A Reuse-A-Shoe bucket will be placed at the Welcome Desk of the Wellness Center.
Environmental Wellness beyond UND
Farmer’s Markets
Grand Forks Greenway
Turtle River State Park
Environmental Protection Agency
How to recycle empty printer cartridges/reading glasses/cell phones, etc.
Charities to donate to:
Salvation Army
Goodwill Stores
Greenpeace
U.S. dept. of Health and Human Services
The Earth Times