Environmental Activism
Johanna Wojewodzki ‘21 A&E Editor
As 2021 begins in America with the entrance of a new presidential administration and only six years left to reach net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, the once hotly-debated concept of climate change has been left in the shadows of current events. As individuals seek out economic and actionable advice in personal fights for climate justice, a broader look at new policies and their implications on daily life becomes pertinent in Howard’s community of educators, students and families.
Tackling climate change in politics is regularly met with opposition due to the extreme costs of most environmental policies. For instance, the proposed Green New Deal could cost between $51-$93 trillion over just the next decade. Politicians have the important job of deciding how to best go about making necessary environmental changes, while also deliberating on the price — both on a monetary and societal level. Joe Biden shares on his website his plan for national action that can aid in the global reversal of climate change, and the pursuit of environmental justice by “ensuring the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions no later than 2050.” His plan includes rebuilding and modernizing current infrastructure to withstand the effects of climate change, putting in place methane pollution limits on oil and gas operations and protecting the biodiversity of America’s lands and waters.
There are multitudes of methods for Howard’s students to engage in environmental activism on a personal level that are not all expensive or even far removed from daily life and regular activities. Howard County gives free compost bins across most parts of the county to interested houses, called the “Green Bin,” which can be used to throw away food scraps in an environmentally conscious manner. 30% of trash and waste thrown into landfills across the county is food waste, but when an option like the “Green Bin” exists, why not give it a try and reduce your carbon footprint along the way? Howard County’s Live Green Howard website gives plenty of affordable and accessible options for residents of the county to aid in the fight against climate change.
Tackling climate change in politics is regularly met with opposition due to the extreme costs of most environmental policies. For instance, the proposed Green New Deal could cost between $51-$93 trillion over just the next decade. Politicians have the important job of deciding how to best go about making necessary environmental changes, while also deliberating on the price — both on a monetary and societal level. Joe Biden shares on his website his plan for national action that can aid in the global reversal of climate change, and the pursuit of environmental justice by “ensuring the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions no later than 2050.” His plan includes rebuilding and modernizing current infrastructure to withstand the effects of climate change, putting in place methane pollution limits on oil and gas operations and protecting the biodiversity of America’s lands and waters.
There are multitudes of methods for Howard’s students to engage in environmental activism on a personal level that are not all expensive or even far removed from daily life and regular activities. Howard County gives free compost bins across most parts of the county to interested houses, called the “Green Bin,” which can be used to throw away food scraps in an environmentally conscious manner. 30% of trash and waste thrown into landfills across the county is food waste, but when an option like the “Green Bin” exists, why not give it a try and reduce your carbon footprint along the way? Howard County’s Live Green Howard website gives plenty of affordable and accessible options for residents of the county to aid in the fight against climate change.