Spring Break
Editorial: Keep thoughts from Earth Week all year
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Viewpoints
Environmental concerns have been in the headlines and on the minds of Americans for sometime now. Whether or not they agree with the majority of scientists studying the issue most everyone now at least knows about global warming, or as it is more appropriately called, global climate change.
Earth Week, originally Earth Day, is a time for raising awareness on environmental issues and motivating people to take action. Despite this lofty and worthy goal, Earth Week has met criticism from some environmentalists who say that it trivializes the issue: it gives participants an easy way to relieve guilt over their environmentally unfriendly actions without actually making much of a change. The Pacer agrees with this criticism, to an extent.
Don't get us wrong, The Pacer is extremely pleased with the events offered by Earth Week this year and student's participation in them. The last thing we want is to do away with Earth Week.
Rather, The Pacer encourages our readers to realize that being a good steward of our planet requires more than attending some events during Earth Week, no matter how well we believe they may be planned. Taking care of and protecting our planet requires a daily effort to conserve and preserve our resources as well as reducing our carbon emissions.
Walk or ride a bike instead of driving. Recycle. UTM has recently expanded its recycling capabilities to include plastics, a move we applaud. Buy local produce. There are many, many things students can do make a difference.
It is easy to listen to a speaker, or attend today's Dumpster Dive today from 2-4 p.m., but don't let your commitment end there. Make changes in your life and convince others to do the same.
The Earth may be an insignificant speck of dust on the cosmic scale, but it's our speck of dust ... and it's our only home. What are you doing to preserve it for your children?
Earth Week, originally Earth Day, is a time for raising awareness on environmental issues and motivating people to take action. Despite this lofty and worthy goal, Earth Week has met criticism from some environmentalists who say that it trivializes the issue: it gives participants an easy way to relieve guilt over their environmentally unfriendly actions without actually making much of a change. The Pacer agrees with this criticism, to an extent.
Don't get us wrong, The Pacer is extremely pleased with the events offered by Earth Week this year and student's participation in them. The last thing we want is to do away with Earth Week.
Rather, The Pacer encourages our readers to realize that being a good steward of our planet requires more than attending some events during Earth Week, no matter how well we believe they may be planned. Taking care of and protecting our planet requires a daily effort to conserve and preserve our resources as well as reducing our carbon emissions.
Walk or ride a bike instead of driving. Recycle. UTM has recently expanded its recycling capabilities to include plastics, a move we applaud. Buy local produce. There are many, many things students can do make a difference.
It is easy to listen to a speaker, or attend today's Dumpster Dive today from 2-4 p.m., but don't let your commitment end there. Make changes in your life and convince others to do the same.
The Earth may be an insignificant speck of dust on the cosmic scale, but it's our speck of dust ... and it's our only home. What are you doing to preserve it for your children?
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