OPINION

tuftsdaily.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

VIEWPOINT Hurricane Ida’s devastation exposes greater climate issue at hand

by Emily Nadler

Opinion Editor

By the numbers themselves, it goes without saying that Hurricane Ida has brought immense destruction and desperation to the neighborhoods and areas it passed through. Nearly a hundred people have died from Ida’s tornadoes, extreme flooding and heavy winds. Ida has affected 22 states, plus Washington, D.C., and torn through 1,500 miles of the United States.

Unfortunately, Ida’s devastation is not an isolated event. Evidence from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that climate change is increasing the intensity of storms and resulting in damage that can not be undone.

It is imperative that we take action now against climate change by limiting the emission of greenhouse gases and investing in the use of renewable energy. If we do not make dramatic changes, rising sea levels and intense storms will make the landscape of our world unrecognizable and the effects of extreme weather and federal policies will continue to disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

As the Earth warms from the use of fossil fuels, the intensity of storms increases — a situation that António Guterres, the secretary-general of the U.N., called “a code red for humanity.” Guterres cited our proximity to the threshold of warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is considered the boundary between manageable or catastrophic changes to our climate and urged for immediate solutions that promote green economies and cleaner air. And while it is too late to reverse many of these changes, such as rising sea levels, it is not too late to take action which could reduce the use of many drivers of climate change.

The scale at which we must combat this crisis needs to be huge: while individual actions such as using less single-use plastic, reducing meat consumption and shopping more sustainably are important, change at the federal level is what will ultimately force big corporations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

One way the federal government can take action is to create a fee or a tax to motivate corporations to reduce emissions. This can take the form of requiring companies to pay a fee per each unit of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases emitted. Corporations are forced to either pay the fee or change their behavior. Since 2018, there have been nine proposed pieces of legislation by U.S. senators and representatives attempting to authorize a federal carbon tax. However, such legislation continuously fails to win the support it needs to pass.

In addition to preventing further damage to the climate, there are actions the government must take in order to mitigate the effects of a climate that causes extreme weather conditions like in the case of Hurricane Ida. Back in 2013, the federal government spent $1.3 billion on a storm surge barrier in order to prevent future storm surges in the area around New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. On account of this levee system, there was reduced flooding and less severe damages — and overall economic loss — under Hurricane Ida than under Hurricane Katrina 16 years ago.

Even though implementing preventative systems can be costly, repairing cities after extreme natural disasters is extremely expensive. Since 2005, extreme weather has resulted in $450 billion in damages. This is money that could have been allocated toward preventative measures that would result in lasting change. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that systems such as the barrier in New Orleans are not a be-all and end-all.

Unfortunately, many smaller working-class towns outside of New Orleans did not reap the benefits of flood protection projects. In Larose, La., which is just over 50 miles from New Orleans, for decades local government officials have tried and failed to build a system similar to that of the one in New Orleans.

It is most often low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by climate policies. For areas with smaller populations or less economic leverage, it’s much harder to gain support and funding from the federal government. While the people of New Orleans were able to receive aid, communities like Larose were largely forgotten.

Without concrete action, hurricanes at the same level of Hurricane Ida, or worse, will continue to wreak havoc and bring further devastation and hardship. Those that can afford to move might try to escape areas more susceptible to extreme weather. Those that can’t afford to leave will be left behind and face the greatest consequences of climate change. Without intervention, these areas might not survive.

BY JUJU ZWEIFACH

VIEWPOINT The extremity of the Texas abortion ban: What this means for women in the U.S.

by Sara Kessel

Opinion Editor

On Wednesday, Sept. 1, the Supreme Court allowed Texas to uphold what is now the most repressive abortion law in the United States. The structure of Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB 8) mirrors the “heartbeat bills” of states like Georgia and Ohio, banning abortions past the detection of a fetal heartbeat. However, the law in Texas is the first to bypass federal blocking due to a backdoor provision that calls for enforcement by civil action rather than by the state itself. Instead of designating government officials to enforce the law, SB 8 gives citizens the ability to sue anyone who aids an unlawful abortion and allows them to collect at least $10,000 in the process.

The implementation of this law presents a terrifying reality for Texan women, as abortions are banned six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy. Around 85% of all abortion procedures previously provided in the state of Texas would now be prohibited under the new law. Most women cannot even tell they are pregnant before the six-week mark. Forcing clinics to abide by this deadline virtually eliminates any possibility of receiving an abortion without breaking the law.

Consequently, this may propel many women to access abortions through unsafe methods, likely without assistance from the medical providers and doctors who are at risk of getting sued. Traveling across borders, taking harmful substances or allowing untrained individuals to terminate a pregnancy are all different routes women may choose when there is no safe alternative.

In the hours before the law went into effect, call centers transformed into helplines for desperate women. The law states that while patients themselves cannot be sued, citizens are free to sue clinics. This threat, along with the ban on abortions at six weeks of pregnancy, has contributed to a decline in the number of women coming into abortion clinics.

If clinics are found to be in violation of the law and sued, the ability for them to remain open becomes less and less likely. For those most vulnerable, including young, rural, low-income women and women of color, mass closure of abortion services presents a disproportionally harmful impact.

Pro-choice advocates have been rightfully alarmed at the spike in anti-abortion legislation over the past year. For anti-abortion leaders and proponents, the precedent that SB 8 sets may legitimize the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade and enacting similar laws nationwide.

Across the 47 states where restrictions have been introduced, there is enormous potential for this kind of strategy to be used when drafting new legislation. Additionally, enforcement by private action could be used to enact laws that restrict other federal rights. If a state wants to restrict anything from same-sex marriage to voter registration, they can simply justify it by enforcement through civil lawsuits rather than through government channels.

We cannot remain silent about this direct attack on the rights and safety of Texan women and we cannot let this new, terrifying reality in Texas become the standard for abortion access in the country.

The Biden administration has verbally attacked the law, calling it blatantly unconstitutional and suing Texas through the Justice Department on these grounds. However, there is no guarantee that this action will have the same impact as congressional legislation. The House of Representatives will soon vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act in the hopes of preserving abortion rights for women in all states. Putting pressure on our representatives to vote in favor of the bill can stop SB 8 and any future policies in its image.

It is just as important that we involve ourselves within our own communities. Supporting local organizations such as Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts and the Boston Abortion Support Collective can provide crucial assistance to women seeking resources and aid in the greater Boston area. Joining prochoice organizations on campus is one way we can advocate for women’s reproductive rights. At Tufts, Students for NARAL fights for the right to choose through political advocacy and community engagement. As women’s rights are at risk of being ripped away, we must all do our part in protecting a woman’s right to choose.

BY SAM FARBMAN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 tuftsdaily.com

Men’s soccer moves to 3–0 after wins over Williams, Wesleyan

by Jack Adgate

Staff Writer

Tufts men’s soccer was victorious over both Williams on Saturday and Wesleyan on Tuesday of this past week. The wins push the Jumbos’ record to 3–0 after an opening-night win over MIT last week.

Tufts kept its forward momentum rolling against Wesleyan on Tuesday night, winning 2–1 and surviving late second-half drama. After a scoreless first half, the Jumbos netted two goals within 90 seconds of each other to put down the Cardinals.

Early in the second half, senior defender Ian Daly found super-senior forward Mati Cano in the box with space, and Cano banged home the opening score for Tufts. The pair have had a solid connection over the past two games, both assisting a goal for the other.

Hardly a minute later, Tufts was awarded a penalty after a hard foul in the box. Super-senior Calvin Aroh stepped up to the spot and sent the keeper in the wrong direction to make it 2–0 in favor of the Jumbos.

After falling behind, the Cardinals picked up the pressure and pushed their line high up the field. Wesleyan finally broke through with about 20 minutes remaining after a shot ripped through a crowded box and barely

MICHELLE LI / THE TUFTS DAILY

The Tufts University men’s soccer team wins against Williams College on Sept. 11, 2021.

slipped through first-year goalkeeper Erik Lauta’s hands after a valiant diving effort.

Only trailing by one, Wesleyan upped the pressure even more, but Tufts’ back line held strong. The Jumbo defense has continued to come up big early in the season, and they locked down another win on Tuesday night.

Saturday’s game against Williams was as expected for a NESCAC matchup: physical and aggressive. The Ephs managed to hold the Jumbos scoreless in a back-andforth first half, with both sides exchanging shots and battling for possession in the midfield.

Tufts finally cracked through early in the second half, as Daly slotted home a goal on a cross from Cano to mark the game’s only score. The goal provided some energy that was much needed for the Jumbos. In the second half alone, they totaled 13 shots and 10 corner kicks, both more than Williams had the entire game.

“We had been drilling all week to work hard [at the] back post and to get our chances … I was there and lucky enough to finish mine,” Daly said about the goal.

The Jumbos retained their presence as a defensive powerhouse, with Lauta only seeing two shots put on the net all game. Super-senior defender Biagio Paoletta and sophomore defender Max Clivio anchored a Tufts back line that has only conceded one goal this season.

“My defenders are all superb players and it’s very comforting as a goalkeeper to have full confidence in your back line,” Lauta said. “The senior players here have all been very supportive and I’m extremely grateful for the warm welcome they’ve shown me as one of the youngest players on the field.”

With three straight wins to start the year, the Jumbos have solidified themselves as the No. 1 ranked team in the country.

“It feels amazing,” said Lauta about the win streak. “I couldn’t have wished for a better start to it all but I’m fully focused on keeping this run going for as long as possible.”

The Jumbos will travel to Brandeis to take on the Judges this coming Saturday, looking to keep their perfect start to the season.

Volleyball sweeps Tufts Invitational, continues undefeated start to season

by Matt Chen

Assistant Sports Editor

Riding on the heels of a season-opening win against Roger Williams, Tufts Volleyball continued its strong start to the season, sweeping the Tufts Invitational over the weekend. The Jumbos won games against the visiting Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks, the Brandeis University Judges and the Wellesley College Blue. Head coach Cora Thompson expressed her excitement to have the team be back with fans in Cousens Gymnasium in an email to the Daily.

“We were just so grateful and excited to be competing again,” Coach Thompson wrote. “These players have worked so hard to prepare for this opportunity and finally they have their chance to compete as a full team for what we hope will be a full season.”

In the opening game of the invitational against Illinois Tech, the Jumbos dispatched the Scarlet Hawks in three sets (25–14, 25–13, 25–19). Junior outside/ opposite hitter Jennelle Yarwood led the team with 11 kills on 19 attempts, good for a .526 hitting percentage. Yarwood also logged six digs, contributing to a total of 44 digs as a team.

“If you can serve the other team really well, and pass on your side, then you can really be successful for the hitter,” Yarwood said. “And our serves have been great, getting a lot of aces and just getting them out of system.”

Yarwood and fellow junior outside/ opposite hitter Maya Lightfoot combined for 21 of the Jumbo’s 39 kills on the night. Senior setter Ariel Zedric and sophomore setter Maddie Yu combined for 32 assists, and senior outside/opposite hitter and co-captain Cate Desler logged eight kills and 12 digs.

SOPHIE DOLAN / THE TUFTS DAILY The Tufts University women’s volleyball team plays the Williams College team in Cousens Gym on Sept. 11, 2021.

In what may have been the toughest game so far this season, Tufts defeated Brandeis 3–1 (17–25, 25–21, 25–21, 25–20) on Saturday. The Judges opened by handing the Jumbos their first set loss of the season, before the Jumbos clawed back to take the next three and win the game.

“They did not make a lot of unforced errors which forced us to take better care of the ball both offensively and defensively,” Thompson wrote. “ There was a lot of fight on their side and we were challenged to better our game, immediately.”

Junior libero Stephanie Lee tallied 21 digs for the Jumbos, while junior middle/opposite hitter and co-captain Grace Legris and Desler both led the team with 10 kills each. After Brandeis came back from an early Jumbos-lead of 10–4 in the third set to tie it at 17–17, Tufts pulled together to grind out a 25–21 win to take a 2–1 lead in the game.

To close out the Tufts Invitational, the Jumbos handily defeated the Wellesley Blue 3–0 (25–10, 25–12, 25–16). The majority of Tufts players saw the court, with Yarwood and fifthyear senior middle/opposite hitter and co-captain Jen Ryan leading the team with 9 kills a piece. Sophomore libero Megan Harrison led the team in digs with 12, while Yu led the team with 14 assists.

With their underclassmen all playing in their first collegiate season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jumbos’ upperclassmen have provided leadership in order to build chemistry within the team. This chemistry has proven to be strong from the start, as the undefeated Jumbos have seen contributions from 16 different players.

“Playing experience doesn’t matter because you could easily step onto the court,” Yarwood said. “We all are here because our coach saw something great in us.”

Yu in particular has impressed in her first few collegiate games, acting as one of the primary setters for the Jumbos early on.

“Gotta give a lot of props to [Yu], she’s really stepped up and so especially being a setter, you have to have a lot of court presence, which I know can be hard when you’re an underclassmen and in her first season,” Yarwood said. “She’s done a really good job of commanding the court in that way, really calling plays, taking a lot of feedback on her sets, and she just shows up in the gym at practice every day and works really hard.”

Yu also praised Zedric for helping guide her through her first collegiate season, providing leadership and mentorship on and off the court.

“[Zedric] has been an amazing teammate and mentor to me this season,” Yu said. “I am very lucky to be learning as much as I am from her, not only about volleyball, but also team culture and tradition too.”

Using her extra year of eligibility, Ryan returned to the Jumbos for a fifth season and has played an instrumental role in leading a relatively younger Jumbos squad.

“I can’t say enough about how important [Ryan’s] presence is on this team,” Coach Thompson wrote. “As a super senior, she brings invaluable information and experience to the court and can truly lead in the way that she knows this program needs to be led.”

The Jumbos season continues on Friday when they host NESCAC rival Connecticut College.