Concerns about global warming have caused
several organizations to look to college students to help combat
unnatural climate change.
The Energy Action Coalition, a large
organization comprising of 30 other groups including the National
Wildlife Federation, has launched the Campus Climate Challenge.
"The
Campus Climate Challenge is open to any college or university," said
Kristy Jones, a manager in the National Wildlife Federation. "We want
students, faculty and staff to take a look at global warming and try to
reduce green house gases. Each organization [in the Energy Action
Coalition] has a unique strategy. The National Wildlife Federation asks
campus members to commit to a two percent reduction in greenhouse
gases."
To do this, Jones recommends that students, faculty and staff take a greenhouse gas inventory.
"Then, work with the administration to make a plan for energy efficiency and adopt a policy for the future," Jones said.
Jones gave specific ways campuses have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions.
"We
have had a campus purchase wind energy," Jones said. "Others retrofit
their buildings by replacing light bulbs with more energy efficient
ones. Other schools now require Energy Star rated appliances."
The Campus Climate Coalition recently partnered with MTV to create the "Break the Addiction Challenge."
"MTV has such a wide youth audience," Jones said of the partnership.
MTV's
web site, www.mtv.com, details the competition and provides a 12-step
guide to breaking an addiction to energy. The site also provides facts
and information about global warming.
Concern about global
warming has piqued over the last several years due to an unusual
increase in hurricane intensity and frequency. A recent study by the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that rising
ocean temperatures that fuel tropical cyclones are likely the result of
global warming, and that these storms will become stronger if warming
continues.
Anji Seth, a UConn geography professor, commented on the studies.
"First,
these are not proven facts," Seth said. "These studies show evidence
suggesting a link. There is theory that there should be a link, but
there is no proof."
Seth said there are many problems associated with this and similar studies.
"People
don't think the data is good enough," she said. Much of the data used
is from many years ago and instruments may not have been as accurate
then.
Seth also said past observations on past hurricane seasons are questionable.
"Are our observations in the past good enough?" she asked. "Do we really know this period is more intense than past ones?"
Until the advent of advanced weather technology it was difficult to detect hurricanes that did not encounter land, Seth said.
Whether
there is a direct link between human-induced global warming and an
increase of hurricane intensity and frequency remains to be seen.
Regardless, Seth, like the Campus Climate Coalition, recommends taking
steps to reduce one's effect on global warming.
"Get active on campus," Seth said. "Monitor your use of autos and electricity."
