A couple years ago, I made the switch to being pescatarian after learning how harmful the meat industry was to the environment. However, I depended on fish as my main source of protein and it was easy to substitute anywhere my family or friends wanted to eat out. For example, my friends really enjoy getting tacos and I always just got fish tacos instead of pork or chicken tacos. For the past four years, I have been a pescatarian, and it's been really doable. However, after completing the first research project and learning about how harmful the practices of overfishing or farm fishing are to the livelihood of our ocean's ecosystems and the future of our coral reefs, I made the decision to limit my consumption of seafood for the past seven weeks. I allowed myself only one seafood meal every other week.  This was really hard at first because I had learned to depend on using seafood as the main source of protein in my meals. Specifically, I recall one night three weeks ago when my friends after a late-night stopped by a taco truck. Living in LA, there is generally always a plant-based option on the menu (and usually really taste ones!!), but this was a family truck without the usual LA flare, so they didn't have a plant-based option. In this moment, I really wanted to break my pact and just get fish again, but instead, I just asked my friends if we could stop by in-n-out on our way back to our apartment, where I got a grilled cheeseburger, and it satisfied all my late-night cravings. I was a little hesitant to ask at first but my friends were MORE than happy to make an extra stop so that we could find something that fit my dietary needs. Making the switch to eat more sustainably raise a few challenges, but none that can't be overcome when you're surrounded by the right people :) Overall, making the switch to decrease my seafood consumption has not been that hard, and I've found a LOT of cool ways to cook chickpeas and lentils haha. 

From reading through this challenge, I learned about how damaging and carbon-heavy processes for making products out of wood, plastic, or metal are, and how much carbon is actually sequestered from the atmosphere by bamboo. After learning this I decided to purchase a bamboo utensil set for lunches I take to campus with me. I used to just grab a composable fork or spoon from one of the on-campus dining locations to eat my lunch. But now I have this handy set on me at all times which includes a fork, spoon, knife, chopsticks, straw, and even straw cleaner! And all of them are made of bamboo! It's super compact and easy to throw in my backpack, and I never have to go searching around campus for an eating utensil anymore. Additionally, if ever buy lunch on campus from somewhere, I can just pull out this utensil pack and it'll have anything I need.  was surprisingly affordable as well. Would definitely recommend if anyone's interested!

I haven’t realized until now how often I use my car. Although it is a hybrid, I still end up using a lot of gas emitting lots of fuel emissions. Other motivations that inspire me to switch to a fuel efficient vehicle is the fact that cutting back on oil will help to find other alternatives that have better efficiency and less risks. Also, at this point, gas is incredibly expensive due to the limited amount of gas. So not only will reducing oil consumption help the environment, but it will also help improve cost and efficiency of maintains cars. 

Family planning is incredibly important right now as overpopulation has contributed greatly to climate change and at the rate, we are going we will not be able to support the whole population. Unplanned pregnancies account for 50% of pregnancies and that is why family planning is more important than ever. Overpopulation causes further deforestation and urbanization that is destroying our ecosystems and causing losses of biodiversity. 

The main two R's I have been focusing on are recycling and reducing. I have been reducing my meat consumption as of lately because I understand how inefficient meat is when it comes to energy. Also I have been more consciously trying to recycle more. I have always recycled, but I have to acknowledge that I tend to get lazy at times and do not pay attention to what I throw away. I could also refuse more such as when I get offered rides to places that I could easily walk to. I think I understand what I need to do but I just need to make more of a conscious effort to be mindful of what I am doing.