editor’s note - this comment was written by a student in the Environmental Studies program as a class assignment.
On my way to campus this morning, I heard that the price of oil has reached a staggering $108 a barrel! Two hours later, those numbers are still echoing in my head. I’ve had atleast 15 interactions with people thus far and no one has mentioned this (oddly, no one gossiped about Spitzer either). Are we that unaware? Does the average American college student have any clue as to what the implications are of rising oil prices? The first alarm that should sound is “how am I going to afford the increased prices at the pump; how many hours do I have to work just to cover gas for the week?” Yet, as I roam the campus, I hear nothing.
Nothing would make me happier today than to have someone (other than envi students) initiate a conversation about exploring alternative energy options. Environmental students and educators are not the only people impacted by these inflated costs, but it seems for the most part, we’re the only ones talking about it. Envi 101 should be a manditory course, just like ‘computing and communication’ is (except testing out is not an option). For those of you who read this, go to someone that haven’t spoken to before, and talk about what these issues. Generate some energy (ha) for your cause and encourage them to become an informed citizen. Better yet, suggest they enroll in Envi 101 next semester.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” ~Gandhi
3 responses so far ↓
1 sean // Mar 13, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Too bad more people are not thinking like this. Thanks for the post!
2 cb // Mar 18, 2008 at 8:40 am
I feel your frustration. As an ENVI student, I feel like the opportunity to make a difference is universal. By this I mean the environmental studies department is not the only group of people who can do something about our consumption problems. The hopeful essence of the “green movement” (or whatever you call it) is that it is still picking up momentum. Unfortunately, the inertia of our consumption habits is much stronger at the moment. Which is why everyone should start by weatherizing their homes and reducing overall consumption.
This sounds relatively ineffective compared to coal-fired plants or automobile emmisions, but it will (I repeat WILL) eventually be reflected in policy (as long as those policy makers want to be re-elected). In short: start small.
As for the frustration surrounding the lack of public debate on campuses or communities, it is a simple matter of how we are viewed by corporations and government. We need to stop being mindless consumption machines, and use our dollars to “vote” in favor of environmentally responsible products. The government uses WMD (weapons of mass distraction) like Playoff games, season finales, and “reality” TV to keep us fat and lazy so we don’t react to things like the Climate Conference in Bali, the danger of Codex Alimentarius (SCARY!! visit healthfreedomusa.org), and the real state of affairs in war zones. So, to the author of the post above, if no one is talking about it then you need to be the one asking questions. DO NOT COUNT ON THE GOVERNMENT, MEDIA GIANT(S), OR ANYONE ELSE. YOU ARE THE POWER.
3 Environmental_Studies_Students // Mar 18, 2008 at 9:50 am
amen
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