To the Editor,
It seems a little ridiculous to say that someone is all for ‘going green’ up until the point that it affects them.
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The term ‘going green’ doesn’t refer to actions scientists should take to clean up the problems we have all caused collectively. ‘Going green’ is ineffective unless it is a joint effort of people like us who can control how many plastic bags we use, for example.’
If every individual believes that throwing away that water bottle or taking a 10-minute shower is not a big deal, then of course progress will not be made.’ It is that individual mentality that contributes to the overall problem.
Small changes like putting whatever you just picked up from the Stag into your backpack rather then a bag may seem unimportant, but if you figure how many bags over how many years will not end up sitting in a landfill forever, the tiny effort certainly pays off.’
If you leave Barone hungry because you’re too lazy to get up and get more food, you are in need of serious perspective. We live in world where over 850 million people do not have enough food to sustain a healthy life. To think that a full buffet is just a few feet away and yet you chose rather to leave ‘hungry,’ is beyond insulting to those who suffer from starvation because food is not plentiful where they live.
To joke that global warming is merely something that will affect your sledding in the winter is simply ignorant. Arctic ice is rapidly disappearing, and the region may have its first completely ice-free summer by 2040 or earlier, meaning the effects of our unawareness could be felt in our lifetime, and drastically affect our children and grandchildren’s lives.
To not do everything in our power to slow this process is illogical.’ We are so fortunate to go to a school that is finally taking some initiative.’ Moreover, we are beyond privileged to have an abundance of food provided for us everyday, and to complain about not having a tray to carry enough so that you don’t go ‘hungry’ is just an excuse to find something to criticize.’
So, next time you want to make a complaint about our school, be sure to re-evaluate how lucky you are to be here.’ Also, do not think that each little effort to ‘go green’ is gone unnoticed by our environment.’ If everyone just does a little, the overall effect will be huge.
Sincerely,’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘
Caroline O’Malley ’11
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