Maria Elaine Hernandez 
Start the year righteously, live sustainably!
Ushering in the new year, it becomes a habit for many of us to make resolutions and do what could be done differently. The month of January not only marks the beginning of a new year but is also recognized as Zero Waste Month under Presidential Proclamation No. 760, s. 2014, by the late Benigno Aquino III. In response to Filipino Youth Zero Waste activists, this proclamation calls for people to transition to a sustainable way of living, making a much-needed New Year’s resolution.
This campaign also perceives the human way of living to have a significant impact on the environment, making them directly responsible for such impacts. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), humans produce 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, in addition to food waste and other carbon footprints. Concerning this, UNEP suggests five tips for average people to live sustainably, including choosing local, plant-based options for food, avoiding short car trips for traveling, making simple changes at home and work, thinking before buying, and rediscovering local attractions for leisure. Envisioning each one of us following zero waste values responds collectively as a society.
Anyhow, green is said to be a lucky color in 2024. Let’s cultivate good fortune this year by embracing green living!
