Climate change has long run affects

By Sydney Thomas-Arnold

With the divisive avoidance on the subject of climate change, otherwise known as global warming, many are unaware of the long-run effects that environmental damage will have on the world as a whole. Often times when people think of the impacts of environmental damage and climate change, the first images that come to mind are turtles eating plastic or polar bears standing on melting ice. While these are actual examples of the consequences that human actions have on the world, it is the impact in the long run that will prove to be much more detrimental to humans as a whole if work is not done to protect the environment.

It can often be difficult as a society to implement change and show care towards a problem when the effects are not directly impacting the people themselves. However, if action is not taken to prevent climate change these issues will affect individuals sooner than anticipated. In a study by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, presented by Stanford, it is expected that the Earth’s temperature will rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial temperatures in the early 2030s. With this rise in temperature, people around the world will be faced with more drastic weather changes, including frequent and extreme hurricanes and flooding, earthquakes, forest fires, and more.

Regarding changes in weather and climate, food and water supply would also be at risk. Rising temperatures lead to crop failure and lower water supply; effects such as these are already being seen in countries around the world. Third-world countries are deeply affected by these environmental changes as they lack the necessary resources to adapt to and keep up with these challenges.

The long-run effects of climate change are proven to be closer than many believe. While many immediate environmental changes do not have a large effect on individuals, it is important for those to understand that it will affect everyone eventually. Climate change and the environment should not be ignored and should be taken seriously if the long-term effects are to be prevented.

What’s your carbon footprint?

By Emma Parada

There are many everyday actions that negatively affect the environment. What many may not know is that simply leaving their lights on for an extended period of time contributes to climate change. This is called leaving a carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint is an accumulation of activities an individual partakes in that emits greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, etc.) into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. These gases are produced by heating systems for households, lights, cement manufacturing, and much more.

One of the main contributors to carbon footprints is the overproduction of food, more specifically meat. In order to produce meat on a mass scale, there has to be livestock and large amounts of land. Significant deforestation is how this land is made available for agriculture. With every tree cut down, less C02 is absorbed and more carbon dioxide is then released into the same air people breathe.

Everyone has a carbon footprint, but what some don’t understand is how big that footprint might be. A person who drives every day would have a much bigger footprint than someone who walks everywhere. Reducing carbon footprints can be done, people can turn off unnecessary electronics or simply turn off a light.

While climate change may

Non-dairy Ice cream

Meat may be one of the hardest swaps to make, however, there are tons of alternatives. One of the most common replacements for pulled pork or beef is jack fruit. When prepared properly, it shares a very similar texture and taste. Other foods that can also substitute meat are enoki mushrooms and tofu. Some examples of vegetarian brands that provide good alternatives are Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.

For all my hot wing lovers, often times people use cauliflower as an alternative base. While it doesn’t taste identical, cauliflower absorbs taste very well and shares a similar texture. This alternative has grown very popular and as of recently can even be found on the menus at restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings.

Jackfruit

seem inevitable, there are ways to delay it. Small lifestyle changes are appreciated, even more so if people are educating others and influencing them to do the same. Whether it’s going completely car-free or choosing to shop at thrift stores, any effort matters, and anything can lead to positive change.

Want to know your carbon footprint? Scan the QR code below!

Cauliflower

For more in depth explanations on the preparation of these alternatives, check out vegan social media influencer’s and blog pages to find recipes.

Art by Anneliese Saenz