Monday
Today, I decided to start my low-carbon week. I usually take the bus to school, but the bus stop is a 15-minute walk from home. This morning, I chose to ride my bike instead. It took about the same time, but I didn't produce any exhaust fumes. I felt more energetic after the ride. At home, I reminded my mom to use the shopping bags we already have when she went to the market. She used to forget and buy plastic bags every time. I also made sure all the lights were off in empty rooms.
Tuesday
My class had a discussion about environmental protection. We talked about how much paper we use. I realized I often use only one side of the paper for drafts. From now on, I will use both sides. After school, I went with my dad to buy a power strip with a switch. We can turn off all the chargers and the TV completely at night instead of leaving them on standby. Dad said this can save quite a bit of electricity.
Wednesday
I focused on saving water today. When washing my face, I used a basin instead of letting the tap run. The water left from washing my face was used to water the plants on the balcony. At dinner, mom cooked just the right amount of food so we didn't have any leftovers to throw away. Wasting food also means wasting the energy used to produce and transport it.
Thursday
It was a warm day. My classmates wanted to turn on the air conditioner in the classroom, but I suggested we open the windows first and use the electric fan. We did, and it was quite comfortable. I also refused a plastic straw when buying a drink at the school store. I drank directly from the cup. Small actions matter.
Friday
Weekend is coming. My family planned to go to the park. We decided to take the subway instead of driving. It's faster and avoids traffic jams. In the park, I saw someone littering. I picked up the empty bottle and threw it into the recycling bin. I didn't say anything to that person, but I hope my action made them think.
Saturday
I helped sort the garbage at home. We have separate bins for kitchen waste, recyclables, and other trash. It was a bit confusing at first, but I found a guide online. I also collected the used paper and empty bottles from the week and took them to the recycling station. It felt good.
Sunday
A day for reflection. I looked back at my week. I didn't do anything big or special. Just small, everyday choices: biking, saving paper and electricity, reducing plastic, saving water, sorting garbage. It wasn't hard at all. I told my friend about my low-carbon diary, and she said she would try it too. I believe if everyone makes small changes, it will make a big difference for our planet. My low-carbon actions won't stop here. This is just the beginning of my green life diary.