For those interested in taking sustainable living to a level beyond the basics, the interns at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, share some suggestions worth considering.

“As one goes deeper into justice, nonviolent direct action is almost as far as you can go. It’s one thing to talk about it, but if you feel compelled enough to do it … Show up at the rally. Write your congressman.” Ezra Meadors, of Chicago, has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in communications from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

“Look into the Zero Waste Challenge. That requires a whole life change. You try to be zero waste everywhere you go, like taking cloth napkins to restaurants. I know people who have fit their trash for three months in a mason jar.” Alexis Taylor grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland, and has lived in Oklahoma, Nebraska and Louisiana. She is a small business management senior at Southeastern Louisiana University.

“Shop locally. Consider environment as a whole. Stop buying from large corporations.” Julia Duphiney, of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, is studying animation at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

“One thing that really affects the environment is animal agriculture. When you’re buying processed foods and other things, pay attention to see if it has palm oil in it. Palm oil farms are taking over rain forests and it’s very serious. It’s destroying things.” Rebecca Goodman, of Indianapolis and Sullivan County, Indiana, is an environmental science sophomore at Indiana State University.

“Know all the true facts. Know where your information is coming from.” Elaine Haby, of Hondo, Texas, is a 2017 animal science pre-vet graduate of Texas A&M University in Kingsville.

(Originally published in the Fall 2017 issue of HOPE magazine.)