Decades ago, environmentalists were frequently seen simply as tree-huggers or vegan hippies — fringe outcasts worshipping Mother Earth. But with this new decade, it seems like everyone is starting to care about the environment a little bit more.
Apparently, despite the fact that few students actually understand global warming, many people are making an effort to maintain the planet — recycling, avoiding unnecessary waste and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
But many of us are not taking responsibility for climate change. We are still in denial.
Even in the face of Hurricane Katrina, along with countless other hurricanes and tsunamis around the world that have left us all shocked and mournful, many still refuse to see the connection between excess carbon dioxide emissions and drastic weather changes.
Aside from “natural” disasters, we pose a serious threat to ourselves. The Deepwater Horizon spill, for example, was one of the largest environmental disasters of the decade — not just because of its overall and lasting damage, but the sheer number of people effected.
You had enough time, nay-sayers. The evidence is overwhelming now — when the animals and the land suffer from our stupid mistakes, so do we.
Priyanka Bhatia is a 19-year old pre-veterinary science freshman. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_Pbhatia.
 
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Contact Priyanka Bhatia at
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