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OPINION – Students must get involved in the fight against climate change after Earth Day 2022

OPINION – Students must get involved in the fight against climate change after Earth Day 2022

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Videos of scientists protesting across the globe have gone viral after an alarming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report came out this week. One of them is NASA’s climate scientists Peter Kalmus pleading, “we’re going to lose everything. We’re not joking. We’re not lying and we’re not exaggerating,” as he stood outside of the JP Morgan building in Los Angeles. 

College students are well aware of the catastrophic effects of climate change. They also understand the urgent need to take steps to prevent irreversible damage. Many college students feel that they have to contribute to solving this crisis. Many aren’t sure where to start, what to do, or how they can get involved. Earth Day 2022 falls on April 22nd. There are many opportunities for students to learn how to take action in both their personal lives and at a larger scale. 

Earth Day is a significant holiday each year because it’s used to acknowledge the problems our society faces with climate change while also encouraging more support across the globe for protecting our environment and creating positive change. Earth Day is vital in the context of the climate emergency. Our governments must understand the need to place environmental issues at the forefront of policy decisions in order for them to legislate fundamental shifts.

Students For Sustainability at the University of Arizona and UA Divest will host events throughout the week that center around Earth Day. These events are open to all students. Even if you are not part of these organizations, it’s important that everyone takes the time to learn about the climate crisis and how they can live more sustainably. It is equally important to find out about ways we can all advocate sustainable practices in the local and national communities. 

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Some EventsThe UA Mall stage and the UA Alumni Plaza will host an environmental summit on April 21 at 11:00 a.m. According to UA SFS, the summit allows students to, “meet the student organizations, institutes, and community groups behind the scenes and listen to speakers.” There is also an Earth Day Panel discussion on April 22 at 1 p.m. in room S107 in the UA’s Environmental and Natural Resources 2 building. 

We cannot face climate change and the crisis we are in right now alone. Everyone can play a part. There are many ways to reduce your personal footprint. There are also many ways you can get involved at the local level. It is important that everyone gets involved, regardless of where they are from or what their background. The UA has many resources available to help you get involved. These include the following: Office of Sustainability, UA SFSAnd UA Divest. 


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Sophia is a freshman majoring in family studies & human development and global studies. She enjoys writing pieces about politics that impact Tucson and the UA community.



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