The Green College Project

What does it mean to go green? Going green involves taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint (carbon emissions). This can be done by recycling, conserving resources, and using less energy.

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 For our project, the increasing rate of global warming is the exigency, a problem that is urgent or demanding. Global warming effects the environment in many ways. Data from NASA suggests that global warming is the reason for the rising sea-level, significant decrease in land ice, and an increase in carbon dioxide.

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Our current president has made remarks that global warming does not exist, that does not mean that we should all believe in his statements about global warming, he is not a scientist. Just because an authority figure has power doesn't mean everything he/she says is always correct. This concept is an example of a logical fallacy, something that is an invalid logical reasoning, called appeal to authority. There is significant amounts of evidence providing proof that global warming is occurring and effecting nearly all aspects of our environment. 

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Why should this matter to you?  This is an issue that is effecting everyone, regardless of whether they recognize or not. With an increase in global temperature all species will be impacted, plants and animals may die as a result from scarcity of water and overheating. For rising sea-level, areas near water are more susceptible to floods. There is an increase in carbon dioxide because there are fewer plants. People breathe oxygen and plants are necessary to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. 

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Langston Hughes was a poet who produced a popular piece titled "Let America Be America Again." It focused on the idea of making America what is truly meant to stand for, freedom and a country of greatness for all. One of the verses goes as follows: 

"We, the people, must redeem The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers. The mountains and the endless plain— All, all the stretch of these great green states— And make America again!" 

Hughes was correct in his belief that America was and is not only lacking in the sense of freedom (the foundation of our nation), but also the fact that there is a need to make the nation great again, including the land and its resources. If changes do not occur our green states may not be plush and full of life anymore. As a society we need to go green to get green.

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