Let’s face it: 2020 is not the year we hoped it would be. A contentious election year for America is confounded with a global pandemic, and the global death toll from COVID-19 is over a million. Meanwhile, more people, especially in America, are starting to take note of the racial disparities happening all around them every day, but these prejudices and hateful acts continue to persist in the American system. While it is easy to get distracted by all the negative occurrences happening in the world around us, there is yet another crisis that we must come together to face: climate change.
Now a topic that has rightfully generated worldwide concern, the long-lasting effects of climate change have been on the minds of millions of people, especially those who have felt its impacts directly. Disasters like fires continue to burn in California and are forcing thousands to evacuate, and yet this issue seems so common it is barely making the news anymore. When something extremely catastrophic does happen, like a fire down well-known buildings or the homes of celebrities, we demand action from corporations and our government, yet neglect the impact we can have. As college students, we are constantly overwhelmed by our own lives, and it seems impossible that we can help solve climate change. This is not the case. Here are some simple actions you can take to help alleviate climate change.
- Educate yourself and find ways to conserve energy or be more “green”
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Sounds like a lesson from our elementary school days, right? We can all remember when they put up posters in the school saying “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” with a beaming smiling earth giving us a hearty thumbs up. But the importance of these methods is underestimated. As college students, we can easily reduce our carbon footprint in multiple ways including:
-Riding a bike or walking instead of driving
-Turning off the lights every time you leave a room
-Recycling and sorting your trash
-Using a water bottle instead of single-use plastic bottles
While these may seem like small, inconsequential acts, when a majority of the population performs them, it can make a big difference. There are also many more ways to reduce your individual carbon footprint. Take the time to do some research and become aware of what you can do to become more environmentally friendly. You may be surprised by what you find!
- Organize or join a club at your school that focuses on educating others about climate change
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Another thing we underestimate is the amount of power we have. We may be college students just trying to get through midterms, but when we come together for a common cause, we can be unstoppable. If you have a club at your school that focuses on combating climate change, join and see how you can help. If there isn’t one at your school, gather your friends, and create a club that seeks to educate the students, faculty, and staff at your school on how we can combat climate change. Your club could start petitions and send them to your local authorities or organize awareness days to help show people why this issue is so pressing.
- Talk to the people in charge at your school about how they can be greener
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Most adults that run college campuses love to receive feedback from their students on what can be improved upon at the school. Do your research on your school first and find how they are either alleviating or enhancing the effects of climate change. Then, find the time to meet with the faculty or department who is in charge of the school’s sustainability initiative. You should be able to discuss what you are hoping to get out of the meeting, clarify how the school is working to combat climate change and present solutions based on your findings. Challenging your school also makes them aware that this is an issue their students are focused on, and they will be more willing to help you!
- VOTE!
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While this is something you may have heard countless times already, it has never been more important. Your voice is your vote, and who you cast your vote for will influence far more than who leads the country for the next four years; it will impact our economy, our international relations, and many other issues. It will also decide how seriously we take climate change in the future. So, once again, do your research on the prospective candidates for the 2020 election and their positions on climate change and if you are old enough, vote. Do it not only for yourself, but to help stop and minimize climate change.