by Sofia Nonga Ngue
Live greener in 2025.
1. Take Public Transportation
Reduce your carbon footprint by using public transportation. Students, staff, and faculty can obtain a UCLA-issued transit pass and travel across Los Angeles.
2. Purchase Locally Grown Foods
The next time you need groceries, try visiting your local farmers market for fresh food. Westwood Village has a market every Thursday afternoon, there’s one run by UCLA students (follow on Instagram for updates), and many more across L.A. Don’t forget to bring your own bags!
3. Eat Less Meat
From animal feed to greenhouse gas emissions, meat production has a large environmental footprint. Reducing meat intake – even moderately – has a positive effect on your health and our planet.
4. Replace Single-Use Items With Reusable Products
Create less waste using reusable bottles, bags, and utensils.
5. Purchase Second-Hand
Lower your environmental impact by purchasing second-hand items such as clothing, electronics, books, and other common items.
6. Limit Online Shopping
When shopping online, reduce your environmental impact by consolidating multiple small orders into one bulk order and requesting the least amount of packaging.
7. Practice “Underconsumption”
Mass consumerism has littered landfills with vast amounts of waste. Avoid indulging in micro-trends and practice underconsumption by using or repurposing items you already own and investing in high-quality, long-lasting newer items.
8. Conserve Water
Ways to reduce water waste and conserve water include collecting the water from warming up your shower and turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
9. Eliminate “Phantom” Energy
Save energy by unplugging devices (ex. toasters, gaming systems, chargers, etc.) that are not in use.
10. Take Action
Get involved in a sustainability initiative – join or volunteer with a group or organization at UCLA, or off-campus, that is making a difference. See what you can do with the Bruin Relief Initiative to support our community members impacted by recent wildfires.