Spring Break
Students 'Speak Up' about global warming
Jesse Kimbrel
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: News
About 20 students gathered at the Student Union Amphitheater on Monday at noon to take part in the informal discussion "Speak Up, On Global Warming."
Brandon Cruz, a junior political science major, led the talk that allowed audience members to shout out questions or thoughts they had about global warming.
Students also had a chance to hold the microphone and speak in front of the audience if they were so inclined.
James Lucarotti, a junior environmental studies major, said he lied awake at night thinking about global warming and that he "can't believe nobody cares."
He said there are more and more children being born in polluted cities, like Los Angeles, with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, as a result of global warming.
Playing the devils advocate, Cruz asked the audience, "Is there anyone who can find the good in global warming?"
Andrew Hart, a junior aerospace engineering major, said he heard that because of the polar ice caps melting, there are new passageways open for shipping.
Cruz said that in order to change the way consumer products are being made, consumers have to change their spending practices.
The only way corporations will change is if they aren't making any money, Cruz said. If consumers stop buying products that are harmful to the environment, it will force manufacturers to change their ways and become more Earth friendly.
Katie Voegtle, a senior environmental studies major, explained to the audience how scientists are experimenting with taking carbon dioxide out the atmosphere and putting in it into the ocean.
She said this makes no sense because carbon dioxide has already been shown to be harmful to sea creatures. She also said it has caused seizures in seals and causes a particular algae growth that is proven to be poisonous to otters.
Lucarotti said cities and lives could be lost if we don't start doing more to fight global warming.
"Every day is Earth Day," he said.
Brandon Cruz, a junior political science major, led the talk that allowed audience members to shout out questions or thoughts they had about global warming.
Students also had a chance to hold the microphone and speak in front of the audience if they were so inclined.
James Lucarotti, a junior environmental studies major, said he lied awake at night thinking about global warming and that he "can't believe nobody cares."
He said there are more and more children being born in polluted cities, like Los Angeles, with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, as a result of global warming.
Playing the devils advocate, Cruz asked the audience, "Is there anyone who can find the good in global warming?"
Andrew Hart, a junior aerospace engineering major, said he heard that because of the polar ice caps melting, there are new passageways open for shipping.
Cruz said that in order to change the way consumer products are being made, consumers have to change their spending practices.
The only way corporations will change is if they aren't making any money, Cruz said. If consumers stop buying products that are harmful to the environment, it will force manufacturers to change their ways and become more Earth friendly.
Katie Voegtle, a senior environmental studies major, explained to the audience how scientists are experimenting with taking carbon dioxide out the atmosphere and putting in it into the ocean.
She said this makes no sense because carbon dioxide has already been shown to be harmful to sea creatures. She also said it has caused seizures in seals and causes a particular algae growth that is proven to be poisonous to otters.
Lucarotti said cities and lives could be lost if we don't start doing more to fight global warming.
"Every day is Earth Day," he said.
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