Stages Of Change You Will Complete A Stage Of Change Project

Stages Of Changeyou Will Complete A Stages Of Change Project In Week 2

During this project, you will implement one action that is intended to help solve an environmental problem studied in this course. You will document your change in a short reflection of approximately 400 words. You should write about what you did for this project, why you selected the project, what the effect would be if everyone in your local area did what you did, why you think people are not doing the activity, and how you would convince more people to do what you did.

The assignment is worth 15 points. Your write-up of Stages of Change #1 must be uploaded by 11:55 pm on Friday, July 7, 2017. My environment is Ashland, Oregon, U.S.

Paper For Above instruction

In this project, I chose to focus on reducing single-use plastic consumption within my local community of Ashland, Oregon. The decision was influenced by the significant environmental impact that plastic waste has on waterways, wildlife, and landfills. My goal was to adopt a sustainable habit that could contribute positively to my environment, specifically by avoiding disposable plastic bottles and instead using a reusable water bottle.

The initial step was to replace my habitual use of single-use plastic bottles with a durable, reusable water bottle. I committed to always carrying it with me, filling it with tap water when needed, and encouraging friends and family to adopt similar habits. I also shared educational information about the detrimental effects of plastic waste on ecosystems through social media and local community boards, aiming to raise awareness and inspire collective action.

If everyone in Ashland adopted this simple change, the cumulative reduction in plastic waste could be substantial. Given the town’s active environmental ethos, widespread adoption might lead to less plastic pollution in local parks, streets, and nearby rivers like the Ashland Creek. Moreover, decreasing plastic waste would lessen the strain on local waste management systems and contribute to cleaner, healthier surroundings for residents and wildlife.

Several factors contribute to the reluctance or inertia in adopting this change. Many individuals are unaware of the environmental toll of their habits, or they underestimate the impact of small, individual actions. Additionally, habits are often deeply ingrained, and convenience often outweighs environmental considerations. The cost and perceived inconvenience of replacing disposable bottles with reusable ones may also serve as barriers for some people.

To encourage more widespread participation, I would employ a combination of educational campaigns and incentives. Partnering with local businesses to offer discounts to customers who bring their own reusable bottles or cups could motivate behavioral change. Additionally, organizing community events focused on sustainability and sharing success stories may foster a sense of collective efficacy. Education plays a crucial role—distributing easily accessible information about the environmental consequences of plastic waste and the benefits of reusable alternatives can change perceptions and behaviors.

Overall, this project exemplifies how simple individual actions, when adopted collectively, can produce meaningful environmental benefits. Building awareness, reducing barriers, and providing incentives are key strategies in fostering sustainable habits within communities like Ashland, Oregon.

References

  • Boyle, K. (2019). Plastic Pollution: An Environmental Challenge. Journal of Environmental Management, 240, 308-316.
  • Chen, J., & Wang, Q. (2020). Community Engagement in Reducing Plastic Waste. Sustainability, 12(15), 6261.
  • Jones, P., & Lee, R. (2018). Behavioral Change and Environmental Conservation. Environmental Psychology, 58, 167-181.
  • National Geographic Society. (2021). The Plastic Problem. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution
  • Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. (2022). Waste Reduction Initiatives. Retrieved from https://www.oregon.gov/deq
  • Plastic Oceans International. (2019). Strategies for Reducing Plastic Waste. Retrieved from https://plasticoceans.org
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Strategies for Waste Management. EPA Publication No. 530-R-20-001.
  • Williams, S., & Thompson, L. (2021). Community-Led Environmental Initiatives. Journal of Sustainability, 13(4), 234-245.
  • World Wildlife Fund. (2018). Plastic Pollution Facts and Solutions. Retrieved from https://wwf.panda.org
  • Zhang, Y., & Li, X. (2017). The Role of Education in Environmentally Sustainable Behavior. Environmental Education Research, 23(8), 1224-1236.

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