Local Solutions Board
Find out about ways you can impact your community positively here!
Environmental Conservation Solutions Board
Composting
While composting isn't used commonly, it is a great way to reduce food waste while helping the environment. Some materials that can be used for composting is: (Better Homes and Gardens)
- Fruit scraps
- Vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells (though they can take a while to break down)
- Grass and plant clippings
- Dry leaves
- Finely chopped wood and bark chips
- Shredded newspaper
- Straw
- Sawdust from untreated wood
This can lead to richer soil, leading to better plant growth and a decrease in food waste.
While planting trees (as you will see later), OneTeenWorld will use soil with composted materials to add beneficial nutrients to the soil. This will result in a greater plant yield while also decreasing the waste product that is thrown into landfills and incinerators.
Planting Trees
As humans become more advanced and developed, more and more trees get cut down to create more space. This can lead to many health effects for humans as a huge source of oxygen is being cut down. To offset this, we can plant more trees to help the environment as well as the ecosystem as this could provide a natural habitat for many organisms.
Trees are a very big concern worldwide as it is a very big fundamental for many ecosystems. To help trees, we can:
- Avoid single-use packaging
- Eat sustainably and waste less food
- Choose recycled wood products
OneTeenWorld is committed to decreasing the ecological footprint of the community by decreasing the materials we use to live more sustainably. On top of that, OTW will plant trees and plants to help offset the negatives that humans are producing on a regular basis.
Cleanups
There are many areas in our community and around the world in which trash collects. These collections of trash near rivers and streams can prove to be dreadful to the environment as it can affect habitats and ecosystems while also attributing to the deaths of wildlife.
OneTeenWorld is dedicated to decreasing the effect trash is having on the environment. To create a positive impact on the environment, we can organize cleanups . These cleanups can occur roadside, at rivers, ponds, and lakes. This will make the environment more tidy, resulting in a more safe and secure area for other organisms.
Air Pollution Solutions
Air pollution affects the environment for all people and organisms as mentioned above.
There are a many ways to limit the amount of air pollution 1 person is producing:
- Reducing your ecological footprint - Your ecological footprint is the impact a person has on the environment, expressed using the amount of land required to sustain their way of living. Living more sustainably can lead to great improvements in our environment and lead to a better future.
- Using public transportation - There are many people who drive individually. This is not very effective as there are multiple cars which are each emitting their own particulate matter. To make this more environmentally friendly, you can take public transportation, decreasing the amount of cars on the road and decreasing your ecological footprint.
- Don't burn objects (garbage) - Burning objects is very bad for the environment as it releases gasses such as methane and carbon dioxide. These are all greenhouse gases that trap in the earth's heat, resulting in greater global temperatures. The burning of garbage can also increase the particulate matter, such as ash and soot, around us.
- Etc. - There are many other ways to decrease the amount of air pollution around us. Simply using less energy can decrease the amount of air pollution in this world. Decreasing fossil fuel emissions would also benefit many ecosystems greatly.
Water Solutions
We aim at interacting with our community to increase access to clean water and sanitation facilities, such as:
- Building wells
- Water treatment facilities
- Building latrines
We also aim at advocating hygiene promotion activities, such as:
- Handwashing hygiene education
- Personal hygiene education
This is all directed to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. Some things we can do to help clean up trash in rivers, streams and ponds.
Nutritional Support Solutions Board
Farms
Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, farmer’s markets, rivers, and streams, Hunterdon County is one of the most rural counties in NJ with around 41 percent of the total land being farmland.
It should come as no surprise that there farms are abundant here in the Raritan Valley (just in this map on the left is 20!).
Generally speaking, farmers' markets are more fresh and affordable than their supermarket counterparts. All of these farms will grow different crops so there will always be something in season. And plus, what's the bad part about supporting our local business and feeding hungry in our communities at the same time? Two birds one stone!
Every few months, our OTW volunteers will go these local farms and get produce in bulk which will ultimately be either handed out directly or donated to another charity organizations such as the Flemington Food Pantry.
Restaurants
It is widely known that restaurants generate tons of food waste every night they are in service, but did you know that restaurants are leaving approximately $2 billion in profits on the table as a result of food waste?
A lot of times, restaurant waste isn't completely spoiled, it may just be that for hygienic reasons that it is thrown out. It is estimated that about 85% of food waste is directly thrown out, with only a small portion being donated to organizations.
According to Feeding America, if restaurants just diverted 15% of their food that would otherwise go to waste we could cut the 1 in 8 hungry Americans by half.
OneTeenWorld's volunteers will go to local businesses to take food waste that is still in good enough condition to consume and give it away to those that might be hungry.
Aiding the Elderly Solutions Board
Music Performances and Dance
Staying active is one of the most important things to live a happy, healthy life. Dancing is a great form of exercise that is not too demanding but is also great for cardiovascular endurance, or aerobic fitness. It lowers the risk of certain diseases, allows you to have more flexibility, and improves mood-things all senior citizens need more of.
OneTeenWorld hopes to host bi-monthly shows where our volunteers will both play live music and have dance sessions with the elderly.
Playing Games
Stimulating cognitive skills through playing cards and games is proven to help with memory, which is something that may elders struggle with. Some studies even suggest that it can even reduce (and perhaps even prevent) symptoms of dementia and cognitive decline.
OneTeenWorld's volunteers will spend quality time with these elders by learning and playing new games. Whether it is Telestrations or Foosball, we will make sure to have something for everyone.
Arts and Crafts
Expressing creativity is a great way to make for better happiness. Too often are the lives of these senior citizens monotone, rarely having fun in their final years of life. Arts and crafts doesn't just offer them a new hobby or interest; it also boosts their wellness and lowers stress levels.
OneTeenWorld's volunteers will show these elders how they can take simple supplies and transform them into beautiful art. But if paint and canvas is not for them, that is totally okay! We have other options such as orgami or even coloring if that suits them the best.