OPINIONS

Opinions 15 Sustainability for Dummies: How to Help the Environment

W&J students can combat global warming in small ways: recycling and reducing the use of fossil fuels.

Nate Sciarro Red & Black Contributor

The term sustainability means the capacity to endure. This is something that is practiced right here at Washington & Jefferson College. Now one could probably argue if this is the first time you’re seeing the word sustainability and W&J together, then you most likely have no idea what I’m talking about.

Sustainability, in simpler words, can be described by a simple question: how can we preserve the world? I use the term “world,” as opposed to “planet,” because sustainability is more than just environmental concerns. It is heavily correlated to economics, including small businesses and urban planning, as well as social aspects such as race, gender, age, dealing with environmental injustice and disproportionate siting’s of landfill sites.

At W&J, the constant aspiration to become sustainable is a large goal of the faculty and staff of the college. Each day, the college is looking for new ways to be sustainable, on top of the steps already taking place. For example, a project began by 2014 W&J graduate Evan Rosenberg to generate solar power on campus acted in 2012 and has since then been able to power 90 homes in Washington.

W&J has also been taking part and collaborating with the local Main Street Farmers Market to inform students of the importance of local and small businesses. I recently took the time to survey a couple of current students, to ask them about sustainability. Freshman football player Justin Huss had this to say when asked: What is Sustainability? “I’ve heard of it, but don’t know anything about it.” As I have experienced firsthand, our generation is unsure and uninformed about sustainability, which is quite frightening considering that the world we find ourselves living in could be drastically different in the coming years.

Global warming, which is an increase of the earth’s atmospheric pressure, is a topic relevant to sustainability and is also quite an alarming topic when discussing the future of our planet.

According to a recent study done by Michelle Tigchelaar, a member of the Atmospheric Sciences Department at Washington University, “At a twodegree Celsius global temperature rise, the planet will reach irreversible

Courtesy Washington & Jefferson College

tipping points.” Currently, global temperatures are one-degree Celsius above pre-industrial averages, and if the two-degree increase becomes relevant, the world as we know it is going to change. Regular citizens like you can help combat the advancement of global warming by doing small things like recycling, and reducing the use of fossil fuels to help reduce your carbon footprint, which is simply the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Like Huss, freshman Brandon Brown is unsure about what sustainability means, and knows nothing about it.

The first step to becoming sustainable is helping younger generations to understand the meaning and importance of sustainability, and how making our planet more sustainable, will better the world, for years and years to come.

Red & Black 16 Sports sports Steelers Continue Undefeated Season

Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger attampts a pass against the Bengals.

Courtesy FanDuel

Grant Allison Red & Black Staff

The Pittsburgh Steelers have moved on to 9-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Their latest win against the Cincinnati Bengals was fortunately not a nail biter like the past few narrow victories, with the Steelers winning 38-10. Big Ben and the young wide receiver corps shined on Nov. 15, with Roethlisberger securing the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for the first time this season. He threw for 333 yards and had four touchdown passes. The offensive line has been an unsung hero of the offense, although fielding numerous injuries to the starting five.

Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson was the only receiver to eclipse 100 yards and reeled in six catches, with one of them for a touchdown. 23-year-old veteran receiver Juju was able to make his mark on the game by catching nine passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Dynamic rookie Chase Claypool continues his breakout inaugural year in the league catching two touchdown passes during the game. Pittsburgh offense lead by so much entering the 4th quarter that the second-string players got to finish out the game, which doesn’t happen often. The defense continues to remain dominant over the league, stifling this years’ first overall pick Joe Burrow. The new age steel curtain was able to sack the young Bengals QB 4 times, adding to the already impressive sack totals for the Steelers. Holding the Bengals to only ten points is not the greatest accomplishment for the defense, but overall, the team is firing on all cylinders. This season is a historic one to say the least for Steelers fans with the team looking to secure its 7th Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh plays the Jacksonville Jaguars Nov. 22, which is a rematch of the 2017 playoffs that saw Jacksonville take down the Steelers at home. To improve to 10-0 this game would solidify this Steelers team as one of the greatest in franchise history, and even the best team in the NFL.