CampusIntel

Global warming.

Sounds pretty familiar, doesn’t it? Just ten years ago, people were still learning the meaning of the term: “How does the whole planet get warmer?”; “When is it going to take place?”; “Why is it happening now?” But today, global warming is an everyday topic of discussion: I dare you to find someone who hasn’t heard of it. But do we all understand it? Apparently not.

Tuning into the radio the other day, the host was on the topic of global warming. He spoke of how the phenomenon is actually nothing at all; that it has all been created as a scare tactic for the world. My original reaction was, “Bullshit,” but I nevertheless continued to listen. He went on to explain how all of the facts and figures that demonstrate the Earth’s drastic changes have either been exaggerated or entirely fabricated by scientists. Despite my entire skepticism of his argument, I found myself paying particular attention to the systems we have put in place to combat global warming.

Things started out well. Walking around campus, I took note of the many “streamlined” receptacles placed around every turn. Separate slots for paper, bottles, compost, garbage and more is a huge step up from the ‘odd garbage can and mission impossible recycle bin hunt’ you used to experience in many cities. And an even prettier sight: pressed-for-time students taking the time to divide their waste into the varying containers.

I had to look up a few things online, and remembered my favourite new search engine from Google called ‘Blackle.’ If you haven’t used Blackle yet, check it out. It’s an energy-efficient search engine meant to save power by utilizing a black screen rather than the typical Google white background. So far, well over a million watt hours have been saved just from this alone.

Next I hit the town. I was pleased to see the mass amounts of hybrid buses, bicycle lanes and people walking and biking to their destinations. Growing up in a rural area where personal vehicles were almost a necessity, this picture of people utilizing their resources was a breath of fresh air.

As the day progressed though, I started to gain a new outlook. When I returned back to residence, I couldn’t help notice the heat had been cranked up, yet everyone walked around in tees and shorts. I thought quietly to myself, Wouldn’t a sweater be more appropriate? Growing up with a mother and sister that followed their same logic, though, this, for the most part, stopped bothering me years ago. What still leaves a sour taste in my mouth though was what I witnessed upon looking out my window.

It was a very dark night, with nary a star in the sky, so I thought. Yet I instinctively squinted when I looked in the direction of the library: seven floors of artificial, incredibly yellow light. Now I understand how light levels can stimulate you and keep you alert, which is ideal when trying to pack in some studying before finals. But is it necessary to have them up so bright as to make me squint from 500 m away? And how about turning them off when the library closes: the lights aren’t illuminating much good at four in the morning.

So after this day of thinking about the comments of that radio host and exploring our “environmentally-friendliness,” I came to a conclusion. What does it matter if global warming is fact or fiction? Should we really alter our behaviour either way? If the top global scientists all announced tomorrow that global warming is indeed, no more than a false human invention, would you abandon all the steps you currently take to preserve our Earth? Would you stop recycling, leave the water running all night and not bother to turn off the lights when you go out? Of course not!

The important thing is that we continue to progress toward a more sustainable planet. Whether our planet is in fact undergoing a revolutionary shift, or simply experiencing yet another environmental cycle, the initiative to take care of it should not change in the least. The mere idea of this “relief” is wrong in itself; it demonstrates how humans are willing to take on challenges that are pressing at the moment, but will not think twice about implementing systems to combat such issues proactively. We need to take a more aggressive standpoint to addressing global issues, which means identifying and taking care of them before they wreak their havoc. Global leaders are doing what they can; the responsibility falls on us now. As citizens, we need to make our presence known in the world and strive every day to make it a better place for those that will follow in our footsteps. Global warming may be just as much hogwash as Hogwarts, but we can still act responsibly to preserve our planet. I don’t think anyone can argue with that.

JB