Small Choices, Big Impacts: How to Navigate our Lives With Climate Change
August 1, 2024 | Jordan Kimball | University Student Journalist
Imagine waking up each morning faced with choices that seem ordinary but carry the weight of the day ahead. What to eat, where to go and how to spend your time. Now, consider the power of even more significant decisions, ones that slide by without a second thought yet have the potential to change everything. Every single decision that we make influences something else. That idea seems straightforward, yet many people still make unconscious choices. We make small decisions that seem pointless, but what about the more significant choices we run into? Where are we going on vacation? What’s our plan after high school? Where do we want to live in the future? While our past impacts many of these choices, there is one factor that we can alter for the future: The amount of greenhouse gases that we release into the atmosphere, also known as our carbon footprint.
Our Carbon Footprint
Every significant decision that we make is affected by our past carbon footprint. The rising temperatures have an influence on where we want to spend our vacation. With each added degree, our options dwindle to fewer and fewer locations. Just like a vacation, choosing where to live is primarily impacted by climate change. The big, bustling cities with vehicles emitting thousands of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) yearly aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. The gasses rise in the air, and without a second thought, our world becomes slightly more hazardous. These dangerous gasses don’t just stay in the city, though. As a greenhouse gas, CO2 continues to exist in the atmosphere and absorbs and releases heat. The Earth’s atmosphere warms, leading to rising temperatures. Seawater becomes more acidic due to CO2 being absorbed by the ocean, and plants experience photosynthesis. The rising acidity can have adverse effects on marine life and the environment as a whole. Clearly, CO2 emissions can influence our decisions and the world around us. Traveling to Hawaii sounds incredible, but snorkeling may not be all you hoped for if no fish are left in the sea.
Similar to travel, I’m going into my first year of college, and I continuously consider where I will live and where I want to live after. When I think about it, I factor in the temperature, which is rising in almost every city. The decisions that we make post-college to start the rest of our lives shouldn’t be decided by something that we can change. The future of the world is in our hands, but everyone needs to do their part.
CO2 Emissions
Along with emitting CO2 emissions from our cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles, there are everyday occurrences that young adults participate in that can further worsen the climate. Using single-use plastics, wasting food, not recycling properly, and buying non-local produce are just a few ways that the climate changes without us even noticing. These are practices that we often do that, unfortunately, can release methane and other gasses into the air; like CO2, they negatively affect the world.
Planting Trees
There are so many ways that we can make a change, one of which is planting trees. Growing up, I used to plant trees with my family. Not knowing the impact at the time, I now realize how much good I did. Planting trees releases oxygen into the air while absorbing CO2. Trees also release water vapor, cooling the air. Even though it’s so easy, planting trees can have a significant impact on the future of the climate. Whether you want to plant trees or do something else, every small action contributes to a larger result. By adopting new habits, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
Spreading Awareness About Sustainable Living For Students
Additionally, spreading awareness and encouraging others to follow strengthens the outcome. Simple steps from each person can collectively make a substantial difference. Together, we can make sustainable living for students, a goal for generations to come.
While in high school, learning about climate change was something that flew way over my head. Of course, gasses in the air aren’t safe, but there isn’t anything we can do about it, right? Wrong! As I hope I’ve made clear, it is our job to make a change, and it’s really not too hard. Every day, aim to change one habit in your life for the good of the future. It will truly make an impact, and even if it takes time, it will be worth it when you have helped make the world a safer place.
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Jordan Kimball is a first-year student at Syracuse University studying Magazine, News and Digital Journalism. He enjoys playing and watching sports, going to the beach, listening to music, writing, and spending time with family and friends.
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