A Greener Campus
Many suggestions have been made to develop our industries and life as a whole to be more efficient and eco-friendly, a prominent one being that we exploit renewable resources rather than resources such as fossil fuels that are non-renewable, especially perpetual resources such as solar energy. Utilizing perpetual resources is better for the environment because there is no risk for that resource depleting. This is valuable for us to know and practice on an individual level, but more important for us to execute on a larger scale such as in large factories, cities and other largely populated locations like universities.
We propose that universities should legally have a limit on how much energy they expend. We realize that universities use energy based on the size of the institution. We propose that universities should make changes in order to reuse their use of fossil fuels by 25% by January 1, 2020. This is more important for those that use non-renewable resources as their primary energy source. By doubling as a living environment and school, universities take up a lot of energy, and it is important that we spend the right kind of energy or else it could be harmful and even detrimental to the environment. Exclusively, the excessive use of fossil fuels can allow harmful toxins to fill the atmosphere, and lead to the depletion of that resource.
Treating our environment as if it is disposable will lead to our earth's decomposition. Our world is connected in infinite ways, so even though the emissions from the burning of fossil fuels seem like they only affect our atmosphere, in actuality it will affect our plants growth, then our wildlife. Eventually, the world may look like a dusty, deserted rock instead of the plush, green world we live in today.
Wall.e's "Day At Work" Courtesy of YouTube
If this isn't enough of a reason to fight
for a better world, than what is?
By being a citizen leader and representing yourself as economically friendly, you are using your social power to change our campus by affecting other students and faculty. But the reason for change may not be the same for everyone...To connect and make a difference to others, we need to discover their values and how they find the world and environment important. What connection can we make to make this an important issue for everyone?
Whatever the connection, it is safe to say that these new methods should be implemented into our governments laws, so that we can hold our country as whole to a higher standard when taking care of our environment. Henry David Thoreau a writer from the 1800's and the author of “Civil Disobedience” (1849) says “But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government.” He mentions that as a citizen it is our duty to make progress and changes especially in regard to our government. Enacting new policies and laws will help start the chain reaction that is necessary for positive environmental change.
