Green Corner

Hello from slightly-warmer-than-New-Hampshire Kentucky, where I’ve been absorbing the news of Trump’s win with sadness. I recommend spending some time outside, preferably with pets or family, looking at all the nice things we still have left of this planet.Here in Louisville, Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E), which provides power to most of the city’s residents, has provided free energy audits and encouraged efficiency by cutting costs. However, right now, they’re proposing a hike in the rate for all customers in a way that is not tied to energy consumption and will discourage efficiency. As we know, when energy efficiency is also more efficient for the wallet, people are far more likely to participate than when it makes less of a difference. The negative effects which resulted from the change of the company’s strategy has already been seen in the overall energy use in the city.The eastern part of Louisville, Kentucky, having long been a part of the hilly coal country, is now graced with flat mountains, high unemployment rates and low economic activity. These are unfortunate facts that are unlikely to change in the region for the time being, but the president-elect Donald Trump has promised to combat the “war on coal” and restore the very mining jobs that polluted Kentucky waterways and gave workers black lung. Eager for economic revitalization, 62.5% of the state voted for Trump, while Hillary won only two (the most populous) of the 120 counties in the state.Trump spells disaster for the climate in too many ways to detail. However, on the side of citizenship, we have the power to make a change by educating ourselves and getting involved in resistance against policies that might aggravate global warming. In Japan, more than 90 percent of adults know what climate change is, and it has spurred the nation to change its habits and work to meet energy reduction goals. However, globally, only 40 percent of adults have knowledge on global warming.No matter what profession you go into, a basic education on climate change and the effects it will have on every life and industry ought to be a prerequisite because awareness across multiple fields will help put concern into action in all of them. Try to donate and protest whenever and wherever you can. I know you’re all on campus in the frenzy of hell weeks and college decisions and GPA anxiety, but at the very least try to use the platform you have to be a casual slacktivist, and talk about the environment. Also, get to know the issues in your local areas (that are often severely underfunded) and volunteer over the winter break because ‘tis the season! Once you’ve done all that, I will consider giving you a hug and then will direct you to EarthJustice, the NRDC and the Union of Concerned Scientists to hand over all your money and hopefully help our poor and ravaged planet. Catch you all in the spring with more sad news!