Environment

College and the Environment

Communication Fundamentals 100

College Life

As a college student myself I get to experience the busy lifestyle that comes along with school. With loads of homework and extracurricular activities, it is very easy to let things like the environment slip one’s mind. In today’s day and age our environment is in great danger. With issues such as global warming affecting our climate, it’s only a matter of time before the problem is out of our hands. This is why we all must communicate with one another and raise awareness about this serious problem. There are many ways to help save the environment even while being a busy college student.

Your Car and the Environment

One of these biggest contributions to global warming is the carbon dioxide produced from cars and trucks. Motor vehicles are responsible for almost a quarter of the annual US emissions of carbon dioxide (“Union of Concerned Scientists” para. 1). Here at URI most of the upper classmen live off of campus and most of the parties are off campus as well. This causes allot of driving to and from campus. As students there are many ways we can cut this driving down, and still be able to go out and have a good time. One of the easiest solutions is car pooling. By carpooling we could be keeping 2 or 3 more cars off the road, thus lower the amount of carbon being released into the air. Studies have shown that an averaged sized car produces about 1.1 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile (“Green Living” para. 5). Another alternative solution to car pooling would be public transportation. By taking a bus or taxi you are also reducing emissions, as well as saving money spent on gas, which is a huge plus with such high gas prices today. Through signs and informational videos students can be made aware of what just one car does to the environment. As long as students are informed and lead by example this is an easy and quick way to help save the environment.

Student Recycling

The biggest way college students can help the environment is to recycle. In college it’s known that most students like to party. Think about the amount of aluminum cans and bottles found