Mike Burden is committed to living sustainably, and he hopes to encourage others to adopt a few simple ideas, too.

“We can either degrade or improve the planet for future generations. I’m choosing to improve it, and I like to share what I’ve learned and continue to learn from others,” said Burden, a senior information specialist in MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Burden, a recent master’s graduate of the journalism school and the former MU Student Sustainability volunteer coordinator, lives sustainably by:

• commuting by bike when possible;
• growing whatever produce he can and shopping locally for what he can’t;
• carrying a cloth napkin to avoid using paper;
• and by bringing his lunch in a tiffin, a reusable stainless steel food carrier, which he also takes with him to restaurants to carry leftovers home.

“Big and little changes count,” Burden says. “I don’t judge other people. I just do what I can to make a difference and hope to set a good example.”