great short personal essays

Quiz: What’s the Best Way to Shrink Your Carbon Footprint?

By Sander van der Linden Dec. 15, 2022

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By Sander van der Linden

Sander van der Linden is a professor of psychology at the University of Cambridge. He previously served as editor in chief of the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

This fall, climate activists captured the public’s attention after they threw soup at one of Van Gogh’s sunflowers paintings and glued themselves to Johannes Vermeer’s ‘‘Girl With a Pearl Earring.” While the activists’ stunts prompted a debate about the effectiveness of radical tactics for systemic change, the spectacles may have left some wondering just what exactly they should be doing at home.

Lists of ways to reduce your personal greenhouse gas emissions are plentiful online, with recommendations ranging from using energy-saving light bulbs to not having children. The number of options can feel overwhelming, and there’s another problem: Researchers have found that people often adopt habits that may seem significant but actually have a very small effect on limiting climate change.

I’ve been studying how people think and feel about climate change for over a decade. During that time, I’ve found that while the public’s understanding that climate change is happening has increased, practical knowledge about what we can do to counter it is lacking. To demonstrate how far we have to go, I worked with Times Opinion and Ipsos to test about 1,000 Americans’ ability to size up various ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Take the quiz below to see how you stack up.

What’s the best way to reduce emissions?

Guess whether each action below would have a small, moderate or large effect on reducing personal greenhouse gas emissions..

If you got a few of the answers wrong, you’re in good company. The Times Opinion/Ipsos survey found that Americans tend to underestimate the effects of actions that are harder to take, like avoiding air travel or adopting a vegan diet. And they overestimate the amount of emissions avoided by using energy-efficient appliances and recycling.

Looking at the survey results, it appears that many Americans conflate the primary benefit of recycling — less pollution and waste — with the potential to meaningfully address a very different problem: climate change. Researchers have observed this phenomenon in the past, finding that Americans tend to mix up environmental problems like pollution, the hole in the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect.

The moral halo around recycling is largely a result of a decades-long disinformation campaign by plastic manufacturers. Since the 1980s, the fossil fuel industry has spent millions of dollars on advertisements telling people to recycle, despite the fact that a large majority of plastic products can’t be salvaged and end up in landfills. In April, the California attorney general announced an investigation into the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries’ “aggressive campaign” to promote recycling and “deceive the public.”

The success of the disinformation campaign around recycling can largely be chalked up to a phenomenon that psychologists call the “ illusory truth ” effect. It happens when people mistakenly think a claim is more likely to be true just because it has been repeated. And the virtues of recycling have been repeated many times. For example, a 2017 study of Canadian textbooks found that recycling was the most commonly recommended way to mitigate climate change. Only 4 percent of the textbooks’ recommendations focused on high-impact behaviors such as avoiding air travel.

So where does that leave us? Although estimating the carbon footprint of specific actions is not an exact science, we can raise awareness about actions that most researchers agree are necessary to slow climate change.

Specifically, we need to fight influential misperceptions. Recycling is one example; so is misinformation around electric vehicles. Many Americans believe that electric cars are more expensive to maintain than gas-fueled cars. In fact, electric cars are often cheaper to own over their lifetimes. And tax credits in the recently signed Inflation Reduction Act should significantly reduce the cost of buying an electric vehicle. These facts are worth bringing up around the dinner table because preemptively refuting misinformation is one of the most effective ways to counter its spread.

While governments and businesses have the most power to reverse climate change, perhaps the best thing we can do as individuals is to hold them accountable, dispel influential myths and shift our collective attention to the actions that matter most. Although the jury is still out on the effectiveness of throwing soup at famous artworks, we know that switching to clean energy, flying less and adopting a plant-based diet are some of the most effective ways to help save our planet.

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CSUN Professor’s Work Included in ‘Best American Short Stories of 2023’

Isioma is fleeing her mother’s house after recovering from a suicide attempt when the bus she is on is taken over by armed kidnappers.

The short story chronicling what happens next, “Supernova” by Kosiso Ugwueze, an assistant professor of English at California State University, Northridge, has been included in “The Best American Short Stories 2023,” an anthology of the year’s best short stories as selected by National Book Award finalist Min Jin Lee and series editor Heidi Pitlor and published by Mariner Books/Harper Collins.

“To have my short story included in the anthology feels surreal,” said Ugwueze, who teaches in CSUN’s College of Humanities . “I was actually in New York when I got the email, and I thought I was being trolled.”

Once Ugwueze realized that the emailed notification was authentic, she said her feelings turned in to “euphoria.”

“The story is set in Nigeria, where I was born — though I was raised in Southern California,” she said. “The fact that a story set outside the United States was selected as among the best American short stories says something about the universality of the immigrant experience. My stories are often weird and sad, whether set in Nigeria or the United States, and sometimes I wonder where they fit.”

In addition to “The Best American Short Stories 2023,” Ugwueze’s short fiction has appeared in Georgia Review, Joyland, Gulf Coast, Subtropics and The New England Review. She is the winner of a New England ReviewAward for Emerging Writers and the recipient of a Barbara Deming Memorial Fund grant for feminist fiction. “Supernova” was originally published in The New England Review.

Ugwueze said “Supernova” was inspired by a grad school creative writing prompt about a character in physical danger.

“Most writers write about what they know, but the idea of a kidnapping popped into my head. Though I’ve never been kidnapped, I had a close encounter in 2010—and I just started writing,” she said. “The story took a life of its own.”

The first draft of the story was completed in one sitting.

 “I wanted to capture, in the tone of the story, the incongruence between how we react to trauma and how we’re expected to react,” Ugwueze said. “The main protagonist, Isioma, is doing weird things, and her emotional reactions are not what you would expect in this high-stakes situation.

“I think a lot of my work is layered, even if it does not seem outwardly so,” she continued. “I wanted to capture the general terror, though with some humor, of what it’s often like to navigate parts of Nigeria.”

Ugwueze said that her story made her think of a tweet by a Nigerian publication that noted Nigeria was ranked as the “third most terrorized country in the world.”

“We face security issues and I wanted to talk about that experience,” she said. “I wanted to talk about that Nigerian experience of kidnappers and vigilantes, etc., and people just having to continue living their lives, going to work, and serving their country. I wanted to explore the bravery in that.”

It’s that sense of having to continue to live one’s life, regardless of the circumstances, that may appeal to readers, Ugwueze said. That, and the simplicity of her word choices.

“Accessibility is very important to me as a writer,” she said. “I want people to get what I’m doing.”

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Everyday Use — Alice Walker Everyday Use Theme

Alice Walker Everyday Use Theme

• Categories: Everyday Use

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Words: 650 |

Published: Mar 25, 2024

Words: 650 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Preservation vs. progress:, commoditization of culture:, importance of personal connections:, conclusion:.

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10 Best Side Hustles for Women Over 50

E mbarking on a side hustle can be an empowering and financially rewarding journey, especially for women over 50. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income , explore a passion or invest in a new venture, there are numerous opportunities that cater to diverse skills and interests.

Read: 7 Things the Middle Class Spends Money on That Hurts Their Chances of Being Rich

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1. Turn Your Experience Into a Consulting Business

Leverage your decades of professional experience by starting a consulting business. Whether you’re a retired teacher, a seasoned marketer or an experienced administrator, your skills are valuable. Offer your expertise to businesses or individuals who need guidance in your area of specialization. Consulting can be a lucrative way to share your knowledge while maintaining a flexible schedule.

2. Develop an Online Course or Workshop

Your years of knowledge and experience are a goldmine for creating online courses or workshops. Platforms like Teachable and Udemy make it easy to reach a global audience. Whether it’s cooking, gardening, coding or management skills, there’s always someone eager to learn from an expert. This venture not only monetizes your skills but also allows you to connect with and inspire others.

3. Freelance Writing or Blogging

If you have a way with words, freelance writing or blogging can be a fulfilling side hustle. Websites, magazines and corporate blogs are always in search of quality content. You can write about topics you’re passionate about, from lifestyle and health to finance and travel. Blogging can also generate income through affiliate marketing, sponsored content and ads.

4. E-Commerce and Online Retail

E-commerce platforms like Etsy or eBay offer a great avenue to sell handmade goods, vintage finds or curated products. If you’re crafty, consider selling your creations. Alternatively, use your shopping savvy to find and resell unique items online. This hustle combines the joy of creativity and the thrill of running your own business.

5. Health and Wellness Coaching

As a woman over 50, you have a unique perspective on health and wellness. Turn this into an opportunity by becoming a health coach, yoga instructor or personal trainer, catering to others in your age group. This not only helps you stay fit and healthy but also supports others in achieving their wellness goals.

6. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

For animal lovers, pet sitting or dog walking can be a perfect side hustle. It’s a great way to get exercise, enjoy companionship and earn extra money. Platforms like Rover make it easy to connect with pet owners in your area who need these services.

7. Home Organization and Decluttering Services

If you have a knack for organization, offer your services to those who need help decluttering and organizing their homes. This service is in high demand, as a well-organized space can significantly improve one’s quality of life. Plus, it can be incredibly satisfying to transform a cluttered space into a serene and functional environment.

8. Photography

Turn your passion for photography into a side hustle. Whether it’s portrait photography, event photography, or selling your photos online, there are various ways to monetize this skill. With the rise of social media and digital marketing, quality photography is in high demand.

9. Virtual Assistant Services

Offering virtual assistant services is an excellent way to utilize administrative skills. Many businesses and entrepreneurs seek support with email management, scheduling, social media and more. This role can often be done remotely, providing flexibility and comfort.

10. Gardening and Landscape Design

If you have a green thumb, consider starting a gardening or landscape design business. Many homeowners are willing to pay for help with garden planning, maintenance or landscaping. This can be a highly rewarding and physical outdoor activity that also beautifies your community.

See: Could Your Silver Dollar Make You a Millionaire? Discover the 8 Most Valuable Ones

For women over 50, the world of side hustles is full of possibilities. From leveraging your accumulated expertise to exploring new passions, these opportunities provide not just additional income but also a chance for personal growth and fulfillment. Remember, the best side hustle is one that aligns with your interests, skills and lifestyle, ensuring that work feels more like a rewarding adventure.

Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 10 Best Side Hustles for Women Over 50