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Small Steps toward a Greener Notre Dame

By Maria Fernanda Castro Ponce

  • Volume 26
  • Video Essay
  • Research
A vibrant mix of blue-grey rosette succulents and bright green groundcover plants, some with water droplets, in a garden bed.
September 6, 2018; Joyce Center green roof (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)

What can you do to make a positive difference?

Works Cited

Gibbs, Joshua, and Francesco P. Cappuccio. “Plant-Based Dietary Patterns for Human and Planetary Health.” Nutrients, vol. 14, no. 8, 13 April 13 2022, p. 1614, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081614.

Neves, Andre and Christian Brand. “Assessing the potential for carbon emissions savings from replacing short car trips with walking and cycling using a mixed GPS-travel diary approach.” Transportation Research Policy and Practice Part A: Policy and Practice, vol. 123, 2019, pp. 130-146, Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2018.08.022.

Sundah, Josephin, et al. “Electric Energy Savings for Household Appliances: Small Steps, Big Impact.” Jurnal Syntax Admiration, vol. 5, no. 11, Nov. 2024, https://doi.org/10.46799/jsa.v5i11.1767.

Hopewell, Jefferson, et al. “Plastic Recycling: Challenges and Opportunities.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biologial Sciences, vol. 364, no. 1526, 27 July 2009, pp. 2115-2126, JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/40485985.

Author

Maria Fernanda Castro Ponce

Maria Castro is a member of the Class of 2029 majoring in Economics from Lima, Peru. In her video essay, Maria explores how small, intentional actions can create meaningful change in the world. Inspired by her longstanding belief in the importance of environmental stewardship, she reflects on how protecting our planet is essential if we hope to continue pursuing our dreams and making a positive impact in our own unique ways. Through her project, Maria encourages viewers to recognize that even the smallest everyday actions can contribute to a healthier environment and a better future, reminding us that meaningful change often begins with individual responsibility and a commitment to caring for the world around us.