Big Red Goes Green
Have you seen the signs stuck to the walls of your dorm that tell you to turn off your lights after leaving the room? Have you opened your computer to the emails that tell you to take only the amount of food you will actually eat? The answer is no, because these signs and emails don’t exist. When asked about her opinion on environmental sustainability, upper Christine Baker replied, “It has to do with climate change, right?”
Though climate change is a huge and time-sensitive global problem, it has not reached the same level of attention and focus in the Exeter community as racism, LGBTQ+ issues and sexual assault have. “Aside from Climate Action Day, I don’t think the students here think too much about it,” upper Nick Tilson said.
“I’m pretty sure there are a wide range of beliefs about climate change in the Exeter community, but I feel like the percentage of Exeter students who would take enough action as to change their daily habits is small.”
“I’m pretty sure there’s a new class offered now about sustainability, but that’s all I know about the topic as a part of our education,” upper Caroline Matule commented on the incorporation of environmental sustainability on campus.
Though a lack of knowledge regarding environmental sustainability is common at PEA, there are still many students who take action. Their initiatives may not be extensively publicized, but Exonians are making changes behind the scenes. From advocating for animal rights to raising awareness on food waste, many students have been trying to find solutions for climate change. Senior Pedro Repsold De Sanson has been a part of many community-oriented clubs like the Exeter Exchange, which has opened an Exeter thrift shop for students to donate and buy used clothes and miscellaneous items from other students. He also takes action as co-head of the environmental magazine Sustain.
Other students tackle climate change by taking a more institutional approach. Upper Sophie Faliero is a co-head and founder of Exeter’s fossil fuel divestment club. “We are planning to propose a divestment plan to the school with reinvestment options and success stories from other institutions,” Faliero said, outlining the club’s goals.
It is evident that these environmentally conscious students have dedicated themselves to advocating for sustainability. Senior Jane Li, a member of the E-proctor board and a co-head of the Environmental Action Committee, credited her passion for environmental sustainability to her love of the outdoors. “As a child, I wasn’t necessarily gung-ho about environmentalism, but I knew I loved being in nature,” Li stated. Her motivation to take action on campus stems from an aversion to living on a planet elsewhere. “I don’t want to do things like settle the human population in space.”
It is ironic that most students fail to realize how sweeping a problem climate change is, in that it relates to topics that they are passionate about. “I care about animal rights and human health,” said Baker. Like countless others, Baker is interested in learning about how the phenomenon actually affects the issues that she cares about. Tilson notes that climate change is not always obvious. “Although it might not all be visible, it’s doing a lot of damage,” he says. Even those for whom the effects of climate change are visible are sometimes unwilling to address it. Matule adds, “I’m pretty sure there are a wide range of beliefs about climate change in the Exeter community, but I feel like the percentage of Exeter students who would take enough action as to change their daily habits is small.”
Senior Emmett Shell, co-head of the Animal Rights club, noted that although students do care about the environment, it is often a low priority. “I think it’s easy to push environmental work to the back, as it is often a thankless job, and I hope those who really care are sure to spend their time, energy and skills addressing climate change at Exeter,” he said.
Climate change is an ever-present, inescapable, dangerous issue. Most Exonians could take a lesson from the few who prove willing to devote their time to addressing it. Repsold De Sanson believes that “promoting change in regard to environmentalism rotates around a change in culture, which I believe will only occur if everyone, including myself, truly understands the impacts of our current practices.”