This summer we are featuring a series of blog posts from students in the ENV 2301 course "History of Environmental Thought". We are super happy to highlight the thoughts and ideas of these bright young individuals.
Climate change is a hoax! Climate change is going to kill us all!
Okay now that I have your attention with these opposing opinions of climate change, let’s get into the whole point of this blog. Climate change is neither of these things. Climate change, however, is responsible for loss of habitat, floods, food and water shortages, and other issues worldwide... BUT we are not doomed and there are ways to stop this from happening! But how exactly can we do this? Well here are my suggestions, and they begin here at the University of Ottawa.
My suggestion comes from when I took a trip to Disney World two years ago. While I was driving to see everyone’s favourite mouse at the Magic Kingdom, I noticed solar panels on the drive there that felt like they went on forever. When I got back to the hotel I searched up what I just saw, and what I saw was 500,000 solar panels that reduced Disney Worlds greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and provided power to 25% of Disney World. Wow! So basically Disney World figured out a way to help the earth and also save electricity costs every year (more profits and reducing emissions CAN go hand in hand, who knew?)
Now let’s get into the good stuff. If the University of Ottawa was able to add solar panels this would reduce their electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions, just like it did for Disney World. You might be thinking, where is there space to add solar panels? Well first of all, there are 126 buildings at the University of Ottawa. Those 126 buildings could all be used to add solar panels to the top of them. Furthermore, there are areas such as Lees Campus that have tons of surrounding space to add solar panels if some buildings are not viable.
Beyond solar panels, the University can leverage its assets of students and professors to work on real solutions to issues climate change has already caused. Things like researching clean water methods and sustainable food options can have a positive impact for Canada and countries worldwide. The opportunities are endless!
Overall, by implementing these solutions we can help stop climate change and slow down the effects climate change has already had on the earth. Let’s start today and give ourselves and the earth a sustainable future!
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| The New York Times - The Magic Kingdom is Going Green |
Climate change is a hoax! Climate change is going to kill us all!
Okay now that I have your attention with these opposing opinions of climate change, let’s get into the whole point of this blog. Climate change is neither of these things. Climate change, however, is responsible for loss of habitat, floods, food and water shortages, and other issues worldwide... BUT we are not doomed and there are ways to stop this from happening! But how exactly can we do this? Well here are my suggestions, and they begin here at the University of Ottawa.
My suggestion comes from when I took a trip to Disney World two years ago. While I was driving to see everyone’s favourite mouse at the Magic Kingdom, I noticed solar panels on the drive there that felt like they went on forever. When I got back to the hotel I searched up what I just saw, and what I saw was 500,000 solar panels that reduced Disney Worlds greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and provided power to 25% of Disney World. Wow! So basically Disney World figured out a way to help the earth and also save electricity costs every year (more profits and reducing emissions CAN go hand in hand, who knew?)
Now let’s get into the good stuff. If the University of Ottawa was able to add solar panels this would reduce their electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions, just like it did for Disney World. You might be thinking, where is there space to add solar panels? Well first of all, there are 126 buildings at the University of Ottawa. Those 126 buildings could all be used to add solar panels to the top of them. Furthermore, there are areas such as Lees Campus that have tons of surrounding space to add solar panels if some buildings are not viable.
Beyond solar panels, the University can leverage its assets of students and professors to work on real solutions to issues climate change has already caused. Things like researching clean water methods and sustainable food options can have a positive impact for Canada and countries worldwide. The opportunities are endless!
Overall, by implementing these solutions we can help stop climate change and slow down the effects climate change has already had on the earth. Let’s start today and give ourselves and the earth a sustainable future!
~Matthew Kranabetter