Tips for Journalists Trying to Live Greener this Earth Day
Photo by Bram Van Oost on Unsplash
Going strong for its 55th year, Earth Day is here again. First observed in 1970, annual Earth Day participation has grown from an initial 20 million Americans to over 1 billion people across the globe. This year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” and in this post, we’re focusing on the latter half. This is our planet, and we’ve been thinking about what journalists can do to decrease their environmental impact.
The exact environmental impact of journalism is hard to pin down, as it can take on a lot of forms. But from independent reporters to global news organizations, there is an opportunity for everyone to take ownership and make changes. Let’s take a look at some ways to help our planet this year by living greener.
Travel
Without a doubt, daily commuting and other forms of travel are some of the most carbon-intensive activities that journalists will do regularly. According to the EPA, a typical car will emit around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Other forms of transportation, like flying, also contribute large amounts of CO2 to the environment. Consider some of these options to cut down on carbon emissions:
- Work from home: Many companies now offer flexible arrangements or fully remote options for their workers. If you do work from home, take a look at the steps in the next section to reduce your footprint there.
- Make meetings virtual: Before booking a plane ticket to meet a source or attend a conference, consider the alternatives. A video call is now the standard for all but the most important meetings. There are also many virtual conferences and networking opportunities available. Check out PR Newswire’s list of upcoming events for something near you or available virtually.
Efficiency At Home
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 35% of Americans worked from home at least some of the time in 2023. There are several things you can do to make a home office more efficient:
- Audit home energy use: Energy use can vary widely based on things like age of the home, type of construction, sources of heating and cooling, etc. A good first step to reducing energy use is making a habit of turning off lights and devices in rooms that you aren’t actively using. For a more in-depth approach, check with your local energy utility to see if they offer energy assessments. Some utilities offer this as a free service. Even if they don’t provide the service directly, they may be able to recommend a local company that does. If you’re a DIY type, you can also do your own assessment.
- Hold on to your electronics: It’s certainly tempting to upgrade your tech when the newest version drops, but do you really need that upgrade? Holding on to your devices for a few extra years beyond their expected lifespan can mitigate up to half the greenhouse gas emissions of the product.
- Consider recycled and refurbished products: In addition to holding on to products longer, consider buying a refurbished product. By purchasing a device that has been refurbished, you can cut back on the emissions associated with producing something brand new. When purchasing paper, pens and other common office products, look for recycled options with a high post-consumer content.
- Dispose of electronics responsibly: When the time finally comes to say goodbye to old tech, make sure you’re disposing of it responsibly. Electronic waste can contain potentially harmful substances, and some elements can be recycled for use in new devices. Check with the utility that handles your solid waste for disposal options.
Data Storage
Journalism is all about collecting and recording data. Where you store that data can have a big impact on the world. The cloud services industry now has a carbon footprint larger than airline travel, and paper production and printing also contribute.
- Cut back on printed documents: Before you hit the print button, consider whether or not you’ll actually need a physical copy. There are many cloud storage options available that make your documents accessible anywhere. If you do need to print something, take a good look at the print preview to check that you’re only printing the necessary information.
- Research cloud storage: If you store documents or use hosted services in the cloud, review where those data centers source their energy. Many companies are making moves to be carbon neutral or sourcing the energy needed to run data centers from renewables.
There are many ways to make a change to help the planet, and the ideas presented here are just a starting point. No matter what you do, remember we only have one Earth, and it’s worth celebrating. How are you living and working greener? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
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Christopher Hull is a manager for Customer Content Services at PR Newswire. He has a love for the natural world and moved west for the beautiful landscapes and rich history. His favorite thing is spending time with his three cats, Jericho, Jasper and Lily.
