Pollution and unsound environmental practices will give rise to environmental ruin. Bad policies across the globe are not only diminishing vital natural resources, but also destroying earth's beauty for future generations. The adulteration of the environment is an incredible loss for mankind as the wilderness has always been a source of great inspiration and hope. In America, vast natural resources and imposing natural beauty inspired modern conceptions of freedom. The environment, after all, has afforded the very existence of human civilization.
Global warming caused by mankind is a real phenomenon. Current carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are higher than ever, according to data spanning nearly 700,000 years. Carbon dioxide traps residual heat in the atmosphere and the accumulation of this greenhouse gas contributes to rising temperatures on earth. Although climate patterns usually develop in a span of hundreds of years, global temperatures have already increased during the last century and ice sheets will continue to melt, resulting in higher sea levels that will flood 10,000 square miles of U.S. land by 2100.
Future generations will inherit a world plagued by climate change and depleted natural resources. Hence, environmental education about sustainability will give today's younger generations the opportunity and knowledge to make better choices in the future. Although its efforts are not perfect - as there is always room for improvement - the University has proven its commitment to setting a "green" example and to instill values of environmentalism and sustainability in its students.
One example of the University's commitment is the trend toward more sustainable practices in construction projects on Grounds. All new construction efforts will comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards - the government framework for environmentally responsible building practices. The new South Lawn, meanwhile, has a number of sustainable features, such as energy efficient lighting and the use of native plants for landscaping; builders were even able to bring a natural stream back to the surface.
One of the most symbolic initiatives at the University is the ongoing restoration of Pavilion IX to meet LEED standards. Some of these changes include the new plumbing and low-flow toilets, as well as LEED appliances. The Newcomb Hall eatery will also be upgraded with paint containing lower concentrations of toxic chemicals. The renovation is a symbolic gesture, just as the Lawn buildings are at the heart of the historical and cultural framework of the University.
The annual Lighting of the Lawn has also become more environmentally friendly. Last year, Dominion Virginia Power donated light-emitting diode - or LED - string lights to the University for the annual tradition. During the bulb's lifetime, LEDs use five times less energy than traditional incandescent ones. Although this is a seemingly small initiative, it is important because it shows students that sustainability is not about limiting what can be done, but rather about discovering better and more efficient methods.
Apart from countless other initiatives from various avenues such as dining and transportation, one important way the University has set an example for its students is by standing up against Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's repeated demands that it turn over documents related to former University Prof. Michael Mann's global warming research. Cuccinelli claims Mann engaged in a fraudulent study and misused public funds, yet there is no hard evidence to support such claims. Cuccinelli's repeated requests are an attack on scientists who conduct research on controversial topics such as climate change. So by defending itself against Cuccinelli rather than sheepishly abiding by his every command, the University is asserting itself as an institution that protects scientific study. The University is protecting freedom of research in climate change, which is desperately needed to help people understand the human impact on the planet.
The outlook for a healthy earth is bleak if sustainable practices are not instituted on a larger scale. On a brighter note, the University has taken steps to set a green example for its students. The University is ensuring that all its students understand the implications of their actions on the environment. Moreover, the University is preparing students for a future world that will have fewer natural resources and which will experience more severe effects of climate change. Educating today's youth about environmental issues and setting a green example gives hope that the lifestyles and practices of tomorrow are harmonious with the only home we have: earth.
Once people of all backgrounds and political affiliations come to the realization that environmental initiatives and global warming science are purely about safeguarding our healthy planet, the environmental outlook will improve.
Jamie Dailey's column appears Fridays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at j.dailey@cavalierdaily.com.
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