Well, it sure took long enough. It took the months of November and December, as well as 22 moderately warm days into January, before any flakes of snow graced us with their winter-y presence here on the Hill. Malibu, Calif. received snow before we did! As Tufts students living in the Northeast, we expect snow to be on the ground when we return for the spring semester. We are accustomed to at least a white Christmas if not snow on the ground for NQR. So why is it that this has been such a mild winter? Why could I go running the day after Christmas in a t-shirt and shorts and be warm? Why did my ski trip to northern Vermont turn into an outdoor poolside vacation in the middle of January?
There are many speculative hypotheses as to why we are experiencing such a mild winter this year. Is El Ni?±o keeping the snow from us? Is global warming preventing us from experiencing cold weather? While the probable answer is that it is a combination of global warming and El Ni?±o, this winter should inspire us as students to look at the ways in which we may contribute to climate change or partake in other eco-unfriendly activities.
For the most part, we are typical college students bustling about our days thinking about class, work, activities, and of course, what is going on that night. We make endless photocopies, leave our away messages on overnight, and use disposable water bottles. We are too busy to turn the faucet completely off, we use disposable plates and silverware in our rooms, and we do not recycle if there isn't a recycling bin within an arm's length. As you read this, I'm sure you're thinking to yourself "that's not me" or "I don't do all of those," and you're probably right. But the truth is everyone partakes in activities that harm the environment and if we want snow back, a behavioral change is in order.
There are many ways we can continue our busy lives in a more environmentally friendly manner. There are suggestions as simple as printing on both sides of the paper. Most professors don't mind, and the printers in Eaton are perfectly capable. Besides, it is actually less expensive than printing two separate pages. If you are editing a paper, there is no need to use a brand new piece of paper. Instead, reuse (one of those famous three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle!) a sheet of paper that only has writing on one side. Then, when you're done proofreading, recycle it!
A habit that may be hard to break for some students is leaving away messages on overnight. I'll admit, I've done it, and I do it most of the time that I'm sitting at my computer. But is it really worth it? How many people are really IM-ing you while you sleep? If you really think about it, it just isn't worth the energy wasted.
Another good habit for Tufts students to engage in is using a Nalgene or any other refillable bottle for water. This saves energy in both production of paper or plastic cups and emissions from transporting the products.
In your dorm room or house, it is easy to crank up the heat when it is cold and leave the lights on when you are in a hurry. But rather than running to the thermostat when it gets cold, try putting on a sweatshirt or using a blanket. Just ask any student who lives off-campus about the financial incentives of doing this. They know all about the exorbitant price of heating a house.
For those students who have trouble turning off the light, at least exchange your incandescent light bulb for a compact fluorescent light bulb. Each student is entitled to a free exchange at the Tufts Institute of the Environment (behind Miller Hall next to Oxfam Caf?©). The compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs. Of course, this is not a reason to leave your lights on, but it will save energy.
Challenge yourself to try some of these environmentally friendly ideas and do your part to stop climate change. Help bring back snowball fights and sledding on the President's Lawn! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
-Marisa Jones is a sophomore majoring in political science.
