Editorials
In This Issue Friday December 18 2015
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Volume 63 Issue 5
A landmark decision
International delegations reach climate agreement by Jeman Park staff reporter Two degrees Celsius. Although the number may seem insignificant, scientists estimate it to be the “point of no return” for global warming—when the effects of climate change will be irreversible. We’re already halfway to this threshold. By the end of 2015, scientists predict the world will grow warmer by one degree Celsius. Although some critics do not believe in climate change, 195 delegations from across the world gathered in Paris late November to discuss feasible solutions for global warming. World leaders—including President Obama—gave speeches throughout the course of the week, while the delegations’ negotiators were given the task of reaching an international agreement. After several days of gridlock, the delegations reached a consensus. On Dec. 12 the delegation agreed to cap global warming at two degrees Celsius. Before the agreement was reached, the world was on track to warm by 3.6 degrees Celsius—a level that would have exposed countless coastal cities to submersion. This marks a landmark decision; there has never been a climate-focused international agreement of this caliber agreed upon across the world. The accord also includes the three largest pollution-emitting powers—the United States, China, and the European Union. The United States agreed to reduce its emissions by 28 percent from 2005 levels, and the readjustment fund for developing countries—which provides financial assistance for developing countries converting to renewable energies—was increased to $100 billion a year. The economic feasibility of this goal is furthered by the decreasing costs of sustainable energy. In the United States, costs for solar and wind power have fallen 75 percent since 2009. Prominent figures across the world showcased their support for a strong climate change-reducing solution. Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates pioneered a research fund to innovate and cheapen sustainable energy sources. Moreover, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said, “We have never faced such a test. But neither have we encountered such great opportunity.” Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman stressed the critical nature of the Paris convention, saying, “Future historians… will almost surely say that the most important thing happening in the world during December 2015 was the climate talks in Paris.”
The total electricity consumed by idle electronics equals the annual output of 12 power plants.
Eat at least one meat-free meal a day—8 percent of greenhouse gas emissions comes from meat and dairy production.
A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. Repair all toilet and faucet leaks right away.
On average, diesel school buses emit 2.3 grams of CO per mile, while gasoline school buses emit 89.6 grams of CO per mile.
Cut down on the length of your shower in the morning. Each minute you shave off your time in the bathroom will save around 10 liters of water.
infographic by Eva Hoffman
photo courtesey of commons.wikimedia.org
Students frustrated over locked bathrooms by Andrew Campbell and Marley Jones staff reporters For boys who need to “go,” choosing the right bathroom can be a gamble. In the past few weeks, stumbling upon a locked boys bathroom has become a common occurrence. According to Associate Principal Michael Schwartz, multiple vandalism incidents in the bathrooms forced the school to lock them. This isn’t the first time the school has had to deal with vandalism; last year, there were minor incidents that involved clogged sinks and knocked over trash cans. However, the vandalism this year is more serious. “A few students are ripping the soap and paper dispensers off the wall,” said Schwartz.
Although many of the boys bathrooms are locked, girls bathrooms remain open. Many students disagree with the school’s decision to close the boys bathrooms, seeing it as unfair. “Locking the bathrooms means that nobody can use them, even if it isn’t their fault,” said Leroy Thor, 10. Joe Murphy, 11, agreed. “It’s doing more harm than good. The kids who actually have to use the restrooms have to run around the school trying to find an open one while the boys who are vandalizing in the bathrooms will go and do it somewhere else.” However, some feel as though the vandals have brought this punishment upon themselves. “I think it is fair for the administration to close the boys bathrooms if they are [vandalizing the bathrooms],” said Rachel Deno, 10. “They deserve to pay for their actions.”
For the most part, students feel negatively toward the school’s decision. 75 percent of students polled said that locking the boys bathrooms was not an adequate solution to the vandalism. “[The school] should just make teachers hand out [bathroom] passes,” said Neil Patel, 11. Though the locked bathrooms are an inconvenience, they will remain locked until the vandalism stops. The school’s plan at this point is to keep a closer watch and talk to students in order to find out who the vandals are. “We will adjust the cameras and have male staff walk into the bathrooms at random times,” said Schwartz. “We just want it to stop. We want the bathrooms open.”