What is Green Your Study Abroad?  Quite simply it is CIS’s commitment to minimize our environmental impact on the planet. Most everything we do emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere: driving, flying, heating and cooling our homes, and watching TV. The carbon dioxide emissions caused by our actions are warming the Earth’s climate and will have catastrophic results if we do not act now. 

So what can CIS and you do to help to alleviate this potentially devastating issue? 
For starters, as part of your CIS study abroad program, we have partnered with industry leading Carbonfund.org to offset the carbon dioxide emitted from your flight to China. Carbon offsetting means neutralizing the negative impact of the carbon dioxide produced from energy-using activities (called your “carbon footprint”) through participating in positive measures that reduce this carbon dioxide, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation. The offset of all CIS program participant flights will reduce more than 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. That’s like taking 200 Hummers off of the road!

Now, what can you do?  We’ve broken it down for you into three simple areas that can be easily achieved during your experience abroad in China.

1. Be aware
2. Minimize your carbon footprint

Be aware of the environmental issues facing China
Air and water pollution are China’s #1 concerns. Other issues include soil erosion, deforestation, desertification, and salinization of farm land, as well as the growth of deserts and the increasing number and frequency of sandstorms.

Minimize your footprint

• bring a reusable water bottle rather than buying water in disposable bottles
• recycle whenever possible
• turn off lights, appliances & computers when you’re not using them
• walk, bike, or use public transportation

To learn more about what other steps CIS is taking as an organization to minimize its impact on the environment, click here.