The Sunday climate change march and Monday climate change protest, which were both held in New York City, have brought environmental issues to the forefront of the media. This is positive, as it can raise awareness for a global issue. But participating in a march or in a protest will accomplish nothing unless every single person involved takes personal responsibility for combating climate change.

The People’s Climate March gathered over 400,000 people on Sunday to protest climate change. And Monday’s Flood Wall Street protest, involved 3,000 activists at its peak who staged a massive sit-in on Wall Street to protest businesses’ involvement in contributing to climate change.

We encourage student-led protests on campus as they have the ability to get attention from Syracuse University administration. Global issues, though, require much more than activism in order to be resolved.

Of the 400,000 plus people that participated in the People’s Climate March, and of the estimated 3,000 of people that participated in the Flood Wall Street protest, it’s likely that not every single person is making a personal effort to combat climate change.

Raising awareness is important, but awareness cannot be effective without individual action.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are simple ways to halt climate change in our everyday lives. Reducing water usage, carpooling or biking to work and unplugging unused electronics can all reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Voting for candidates who have plans to address climate change can also be a way to influence national policy to create a greener future. With national elections approaching in November, those concerned about climate change should make it a priority to vote for politicians that have strong environmental policies and who plan on addressing the issue of climate change. Protesting climate change will not be effective unless the correct people to enact change are in political office.

Raising awareness about climate change is only a fraction in solving this environmental problem. There must be as much participation on a personal level as there is in the protests and marches. Climate change is not a problem that will be solved overnight, or with a crowd of people. It starts with individual responsibility.

Published on September 23, 2014 at 1:05 am

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