Saturday, March 3, 2007

Campus Warming to Film’s Teachings

Originally publishe January 25, 2007

There is a lot of misconception surrounding the issue of global warming, or the more politically correct term these days, “climate change.” I had been taught to be resourceful for as far back as I can remember. I will always remember the three R’s that were ingrained in my head: reduce, reuse and recycle.

These are just good habits to have, it saves you money in the long run and in a small way, you’re helping the fight against pollution on a global scale. It shouldn’t matter how big your contribution is, anything is something.

I can’t remember the first time it was brought up, but I kept hearing people talk about this documentary called “An Inconvenient Truth” that stars Al Gore. Political documentaries are not exactly my cup of tea, but I had placed it on my Netflix queue just to see what the fuss was about. Coincidentally, one of my professors on the first day of class was also showing the documentary for anyone who was interested. My DVD came the next day.

After watching the documentary, it was disappointing (but not surprising) to see that the United States contributes the most pollution of any country. The amount of pollution we do produce is illogical, regardless of size.

California has already taken initiative, as we have one of the toughest auto-emission laws in the nation and soon the world. The latest regulations under the Clean Air Act will apply to vehicles beginning in 2009. It is forcing car manufacturers to come up with technology that will cut emissions from cars and light trucks by 25 percent and from sport utility vehicles by 18 percent. Of course the auto industry filed a lawsuit against California in December 2004, three months after the California Air Resources Board issued regulations that would reduce global warming gases by nearly 30 percent by 2016. The trial is still pending.

Everyone knows that Californians drive big cars and are on the road too much.
I’m not going to harp on those who drive—I drive, too. “An Inconvenient Truth” not only talks about the problems that we’re facing but gives you an idea of what is happening to other parts of the world. Polar bears are drowning, glaciers are melting, new diseases are spreading; so it’s hard not to pause and think about what we can do as individuals to help.

You don’t have to give up your car and walk to school, but instead you can find carpool options, or if it’s local you can walk or bike. Always try to use both sides of paper. Save a pile of scrap paper, it will come in handy. Switch to energy efficient bulbs. Just by adjusting your thermostat down two degrees during the winter and up two degrees during the summer can help. Don’t let your car idle for more than a minute, it is actually more efficient in terms of fuel to restart your car. The documentary isn’t the most exciting thing you could watch on television, but everyone who is a contributor to pollution should watch it and learn from it. At the end it gives some very realistic goals and ways you can help, so it’s not just depressing news, there’s a lot of hope that comes with it.

Even if you don’t believe that global warming is a serious issue, at least think about how pollution will affect our lives if we don’t do anything to stop it. Breathing is something we take for granted; if we didn’t have air, it wouldn’t matter what kind of car we drive.

I’m sure that a majority of the student population is educated enough to understand the effects of global warming and are already trying to make some changes. It’s those that do not think it’s an issue or that it’s a myth—they are the ones that are delaying our progress. I’m not just talking about the every-day American that doesn’t seem to care, but the politicians that have the power to make changes. Both need to be convinced or at least made aware that this is a concern for everyone who wants to survive.

I’ve had people tell me that Al Gore is only doing this to further his personal agenda. Could his crusade be something more personal, such as building a better world for his children to live in? What is on the agenda of the automakers and members of the oil industry that dismiss the idea of global warming? Or what is on the agenda for politicians that ignore the issue and have a substantial financial interest in the oil industry?

For those of you who haven’t seen “An Inconvenient Truth,” the Hayward Environmental Awareness Team and Associated Students Inc. are sponsoring the movie at Cal State East Bay with a panel discussion Tuesday. The panel consists of professors who are experts on global warming, conservation and environmental law. The film will be shown at 4:30 p.m. in the Wayne and Gladys Valley Business and Technology Center presentation room, VBT 124.
Do yourself a favor and learn more about the issue of global warming. Let’s leave behind a legacy and a clean Earth for future generations to enjoy.

Sophia is a concerned transplanted Canadian who is studying communications.

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