Home of the blue and gold goes green

It has been a known fact for quite some time that Earth is experiencing climate change as a result of global warming. Despite denials from many, including our own President-elect Donald Trump, the truth can’t be ignored and it is absolutely true that we as humans are running out of time to fix our Earth’s problems. We at Desert Vista could be doing way more to help the planet.

 

Statistics show that the earth is in fact suffering from harmful human activity. Large amounts of greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere, changes in climate as a result cause abnormal weather events and there is even an area twice the size of Texas in the middle of the Pacific made up entirely of human produced trash.

 

Here at Desert Vista, recycling bins are the only eco-friendly method of waste disposal used, and there are hardly enough around campus, with none outside and few in classrooms. Where there are recycling bins in the classrooms, waste rarely makes it way into the right bin.

 

“There’s always trash everywhere,” freshman Chloe Zaenglein said. “Even if there were a good amount of recycling bins, the students are too disrespectful to use the correct bins anyway.”

 

However, there are plenty of solutions to fix the problems here at DV and, in turn, do our part to help the planet. More recycling bins could be implemented and paper towel rolls could be replaced with hand dryers. Washable lunch trays could be used to reduce waste. The Student Council as well as staff members could spread the word about going green and the importance of taking care of our environment. Informing students of new protocols and their benefits can lead to positive responses and a greener community.

 

“It’s so important [to go green],” freshmen Rebecca DeCero said. “We are the future leaders of America. If we don’t start something now, our planet is just going to go down the drain.”

 

These issues are definitely real, and can have detrimental effects on the planet and future generations. There are a slew of ways to stay “green”; it’s just about putting them into action. It is our responsibility to take care of our earth – after all, it’s the only one we’ve got.