Since transferring to the College two years ago, I was never aware of my carbon footprint or how much a single person could help the environment.  I always recycled and sometimes picked up trash off the ground but, that was about it for me being environmentally friendly. After coming to Charleston, it really changed my perspective on the environment. This change was because of my fellow peers being so passionate about sustainability and caring so much about the environment and the fact that this beautiful city was just far too pretty to be covered in trash! My first year I tried to walk everywhere I could and that was a little step, but it wasn’t until this year that I realized so many more little things I could do to help this world be a more sustainable place. I decided I would not bring my car with me to school because my roommate already had hers here and why bring two cars and pollute the air when we can carpool or walk everywhere. I thought I was really helping until I did an Ecological footprint test. I then decided I was never going to go to the store unless it was very necessary. A couple blocks from my apartment is Marion Square, every Saturday they hold a local farmers market. I knew if I could plan my weekly meals, I could get fresh produce which helps out local economy, reduces carbon pollutions because it does not have to be shipped from different places, and reduced packaging pollution like plastic. My roommate and I now write out what we need for our week, use a reusable wooden basket and go shopping for the week every Saturday morning! This not only enriched my life because I am able to put quality nutritional foods into my body, but I am also able to help the environment! I am still working on not also going to grocery stories and reduce trash, but I am not quite there yet (although I have reduced it significantly). I find that to be my biggest challenge because I do still need items that can not be found at farmers markets for recipes, household items, cleaning supplies, etc. Although, I do support food stores like Whole Foods where they encourage brining your own bags and allow you to bring your own containers for things such as flours, beans, rice, etc. This is a plan I am going to stick with, it has helped me in more ways than one. I am planning ahead for what I will be eating for the week which also helps with budgeting, I am eating quality foods, I am meeting and seeing local people weekly, and I am reducing my amount of waste. If you are scared about getting fresh fruits and vegetables… plan ahead! That was my biggest concern was buying and not having enough or having too much till the point it goes bad but, if you make a plan and write out the recipes it is so easy and fun.  I do not have a picture of me at the farmers market, but I have one of my roommates holding our reusable basket!