January 2018 marked the fifth warmest January in modern record-keeping.
In early February 2018, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the global mean sea level has been accelerating rather than increasing at a constant rate - contrary to earlier projections that have been made. The consensus now, amongst multiple climate model projections, is that sea level will rise approximately 65 cm by 2100, which is more than double the amount that was predicted at a constant rate of sea level rise. Imagine what will happen to our beloved coastal cities in a few decades.
The need for a more updated climate model became clear when earlier projections made on sea level rise fell short of the changes that were actually observed.
Climate change is real. Climbing concentrations of greenhouse gases increases the temperature of the air and water, which causes thermal expansion of the ocean and accelerates the melting of land ice, which, taken together, makes the situation all the more dire.
Climate change affects all of us. An article published on February 5, 2018, found that thawing permafrost contains "twice as much mercury as the rest of all soils, the atmosphere, and ocean combined." Mercury is highly toxic. Whether we like it or not, the health of the environment is intertwined with human health.
But I'm not here to just spew facts, or to lament over how helpless these articles make me feel. I firmly believe that each and every one of us has the potential to make sustainable choices that will significantly reduce our individual carbon footprint, which will collectively reduce the global carbon footprint.
If you're wondering how to make more sustainable choices as a college student, here are some suggestions that I myself have implemented into my daily routine:
Recycling materials that can't go into curbside recycling: Locate a Styrofoam recycling program at your campus. At UIUC, Styrofoam recycling facilities can be found at Edward R. Madigan Laboratory and in the basement of Loomis Laboratory of Physics. If none such programs exist, be the first to start one. Save up your batteries, too- there are battery-specific recycling programs.
Be smart about what you buy: You don't have to recycle Styrofoam cartons if you buy eggs that come in paper-based packaging. UIUC students: think County Market egg cartons vs. Aldi egg cartons.
Participate in campus-wide conservation efforts and events. UIUC students: Examples include Illini Lights Out, and Eco-Olympics. Eco-Olympics is an energy conservation competition between residence halls that will take place between March 26 -April 16, 2018, and will award students in the hall with the biggest energy reduction and in the hall with the most number of participants. Interested? Sign up at go.illinois.edu/eco.
Bring your own bags to go grocery shopping. UIUC students: Cloth bags are basically handed out for free on Quad Day, and they won't rip when you're on your way home carrying 20 cans of goodies because the canned vegetables were on sale. Fold them up and keep them in your backpack.
Bring your own thermos to buy coffee. Many coffee locations, such as Starbucks, Caffe Bene, and UIUC-specific Espresso Royale will give you discounted coffee if you bring your own thermos. (Espresso Royale will even fill your thermos to the top, regardless of what size you buy!) If you live on coffee like me, those ten cents add up very fast.
Lastly, some food for thought: as college students, we are the next generation of leaders and policymakers. Fight to save our planet.
