Global warming debate heats up at Eastern

It seems you cannot turn on the TV without hearing about it. In fact, politicians and celebrities cannot get enough of the hot issue: global warming. Global warming is the process by which carbon dioxide and other gases naturally warm Earth's surface by trapping solar heat inside the atmosphere. This process keeps Earth habitable.

And as humans burn fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dramatically increases and Earth's temperature increases with it.

According to Citizenjoe.org, global warming has the possibility of radically changing weather patterns and sea levels in the near future.

Most people know how big names such Al Gore view the issue, but how do Eastern students feel about global warming?



How much do students

actually know about the

issue?

Students today are aware of global warming, but what they know is a mixture of facts and media frenzy, said Melissa Dieckmann, a professor of earth sciences.

"Some people simply discount it as the hysterical ramblings of liberal environmentalists, which it isn't," Dieckmann said, "while others see it as a sign of doomsday, which it isn't either."

Adam Goessling, a sophomore business and marketing education major, said he has attended some lectures about global warming.

"I would consider myself relatively educated compared to the average Eastern student," Goessling said.

But some students are not as educated as others.

"I know what it is," said James Warren, a junior art education major. "I guess I know the basics."

Alisha Schnauber, a sophomore photography major, said she knows what she has seen on the news.

And some students have latched onto political documentaries.

"I just watched the Al Gore documentary," said Sara Ratliff, a freshman chemistry major, "so now I'm all about global warming."



Global warming, so what?

So, is global warming really a big deal?

A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found there is a greater than 90 percent chance global warming is being caused by greenhouse gases related to human activities, such as burning coal in power plants and oil in cars.

Marcus Thacker, a sophomore environmental science major, said global warming should be treated like the huge issue it is.

But some students said the issue is not as noteworthy as some people make it out to be.

"I think it's a big issue," Warren said, "but some people are blowing it up a little more than it should be."

And Schnauber said she thinks global warming is happening, but not as quickly as some people claim.



What can students do?

"It's kind of like, we know it's there, but what can we do?" asked Felicia Roberts, a freshman biology and pre-medicine major.

Dieckmann said it's a matter of cutting back.

"Every light we turn off when we leave the room, every time we cut our hot shower by a few degrees or a couple of minutes, every time we wash our clothes in the coldest possible temperature, we save resources and potentially slow global climate change," Dieckmann said.

And Goessling said he tries to make himself conscious of how his actions could impact global warming.

"Even though it was not an intentional action, to alleviate some pressure of global warming, I drive an efficient 1.8 liter V4 which burns cleaner and more efficient, with less burning of our depleting fossil fuels," said Goessling.

Students can also join the "virtual march" to bring all concerned Americans together at www.climatecrisis.net.

The site has downloadable toolkits for schools and businesses with which students can encourage others in their vicinity to think about the consequences of global warming. Still, some students think radical change is unrealistic.

"Our lifestyles aren't going to change," said Kelsey Royster, a freshman elementary education major. "I think Americans are happy with the way we live and we're not going to be willing to stop driving cars."

But Dieckmann might argue making a change for the environment's sake is not a difficult task.

"We all make choices every day," Dieckmann said. "Make those that you can live with for the rest of your life."

Reach Katie at kathryn_mcbride5@eku.edu