Time is ripe to address global climate change
by Sarah Waddle
Earlham is joining the movement towards climate action that is taking off on campuses across the nation. The Environmental Responsibility Committee (ERC) has committed to proposing a climate commitment for the college by the end of this academic year. ERC is a governance committee made up of students, faculty, and staff charged with making recommendations to the college on environmental matters.
Global climate change is a serious issue that demands action in every facet of our society and change on the part of every individual. College campuses are one place where actions to curb climate change can have a huge effect on global cultural, political, and societal responses to climate change. Oct. 24 is the International Day of Climate Action, organized by 350.org. In conjunction with this international event to raise awareness and take action on climate change, ERC is announcing its intentions to guide the college to act on the climate change issue.
By signing a climate commitment, Earlham would commit itself to the creation and implementation of a climate action plan. A climate action plan is a concrete plan designed by a college and approved by a college’s administration to measurably reduce or eliminate the greenhouse gas emissions of the college. Hundreds of colleges across the nation are responding to climate change with accountable action. Many climate actions plans are publicly available online from colleges such as Middlebury and College of the Atlantic.
Voices from across the campus will be needed to come to consensus on a climate commitment and action plan. We all must take part in its creation and be committed to its implementation. Oct. 24 is a call to action for everyone, everywhere. The time is now to act in the global climate crisis.
Sarah Waddle is a sophomore undeclared major and can be reached at srwaddle08@earlham.edu.
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