 
Written by RJ Lichten – 2024 Carpe Vitam Community Award: Education, Spring 2023 South Pacific Alum
Finding your path is much more than following what you love; it is about aligning your passions with actions that make a difference. Once you find your passion, any action can have a significant impact. These small actions could be anything from volunteering your time to an organization you truly care about, to something as simple as reducing your plastic use.
Did you know that one single 500 mL bottle of water has a total carbon footprint of 82.8 grams? In fact, the average person in the U.S. above the age of two drinks around 1,000 mL of water a day. By taking the simple action of using a reusable water bottle, the average person in the U.S. can reduce their carbon footprint by 64,824 grams per year. To put that into perspective, that one simple action results in a reduction of your carbon footprint equal to driving 500 fewer kilometers per year.
During my time with Carpe Diem, I gained an understanding of the impact I have on the environment. Since my trip, I have worked on both small and large actions to better my impact, all while following my passions. One of my greatest passions in life is surfing. Over the past year, I have dedicated more of my free time to surfing and worked to align this passion with two simple actions: never driving to the beach to surf (only biking or walking) and bringing a bag to pick up trash on the beach.
Since returning from my Carpe Diem trip, I have surfed around 220 times. On average, I walk about 10 kilometers to the beach, which means I have driven 2,200 fewer kilometers this year. This simple action of walking to the beach has lowered my carbon emissions by 307,800 grams this year. Over the same period, I have picked up more than 1,500 pieces of garbage from the beach. By aligning these actions with something I am passionate about, I have made a difference. Even little actions can make a huge difference.
During the Carpe Diem program
Life post-program