Here at Fairfield University, there are many green initiatives, some student-based and others University driven. Students are constantly bombarded with different ways they can live green and decrease their carbon footprint, but at the end of the day some of us simply can’t be bothered.
Apparently, neither can 48 percent of Americans, according to a recent Gallup poll.
While there are many issues on the minds of Americans, including the economy and health care, global warming is a serious issue. It’s sad to see that almost half of our nation’s population can’t be bothered with it.
As the average surface temperature of the earth increases and Americans are stagnant in changing their ways, the problem will only increase.
Quite often, recycling bins are turned into trash cans. Wine bottles and beer cans are thrown out by students to avoid being written up. We all do what is most convenient for us at the time
Consequently, there appears to be less of a concern for the Earth and more of a concern for saving time or a disciplinary fee. Recycling is an afterthought, even now as we write the editorial our recycling bin appears to be filled with more food and paper plates.
How many of us understand the numbers on the bottom of bottles? We certainly don’t. Frankly, some of us won’t be bothered to learn and will continue to only recycle when peer pressured to or when it is right in front of us. Forget about using reusable containers.
So as groups continue to tell us how to live green and the school pumps money into green initiatives, we should all feel guilty about not living green enough.
It is time for students to take the step themselves and be pro-active, and set an example. We should remember, it’s our future that is at stake.
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