At Grossmont High School, the Green Club is an active part of community environmentalism, both in school and out.

Our club centers around local action, and what students can take part in to make a difference. We give presentations weekly on issues we feel are important for our members to be familiar with, such as the environmental harms of fast fashion, how to help local insects, and ways to get outside and enjoy nature.

We host our own events in the community, picking up trash at school and in areas such as the local beaches. We also participate in community service and charity projects, hosted by such organizations as I Love a Clean San Diego and the Lung Association.

Helping the planet and giving back is critical, both for the benefit of people, as well as the benefit of wildlife and plants. From human health and wellness to conserving the natural world for the generations to come, there are so many reasons for getting out there and becoming involved.

And it doesn’t have to be massive- everyday actions can help, such as carpooling more or taking transit, using reusable grocery bags, buying sustainably sourced products, or giving some of your time to the many local environmental organizations that are working everyday to make the planet a better place.

There are so many things that we can do to lessen our impact on the environment, and it will take action by all of us to really make a difference.

– Editor’s note: This opinion piece was provided by Sophia Martinez, a student at Grossmont High School and president of the school’s Green Club. Image courtesy of EarthDay.org.