Make the World a Better Place

Did you know that methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide? About a third of food produced goes to waste, and most ends up in the landfill. This process produces methane, a highly toxic greenhouse gas. According to Nat Geo, “Eliminating waste is the ultimate solution, but food scraps will always remain. For that there is a solution that nearly anyone can do: composting”. There are many reasons why composting is important, one of them being how it reduces methane.

In my school program, my classmates and I are working on how to spread the word about why composting is so important. Composting not only reduces landfill emissions, but also makes soil healthier. This leads to an increase in plant growth, which helps take away excess carbon from the atmosphere. Healthier soil also reduces the use in fertilizers and pesticides, which are harmful for the environment.

In addition, Painted Bins says, “Food waste is the largest component of solid waste in American landfills, representing 24%”. If everyone threw their food scraps in the compost instead of the landfill, waste in America would be reduced by almost a quarter. The solution to this problem is to buy only what you need, and use all the food that you buy. Simply by putting food scraps in the compost, you’ve done your part to slow global warming. Composting is important in so many ways and, ultimately, makes the world a better place.

 I challenge you to start composting in your home and invite others to follow along.

Sofia Glover, 9th Grade, Terra Linda HS – MarinSEL, San Rafael, CA

Click here for more information about what happens when food scraps go in the landfill.