I wrote another more detailed blog post about cutting fossil fuel subsidies in the US. I wrote it for Sense and Sustainability, “a podcast, a blog, and an online community devoted to exploring the diversity of perspectives on sustainable development.”
http://www.senseandsustainability.net/2012/04/12/cutting-american-fossil-fuel-subsidies/
Blog post for ACE!
College seemed like a surreal life when I was in high school. I couldnʼt imagine living at school, going from class to class at odd times of the day, and staying up late with meetings and homework. But sooner or later, most people will experience this lifestyle. So here is a snapshot of some of my classes and extracurriculars in one day as a scholar and environmentalist at Harvard.
10-11: My first class of the day begins. This course focuses on the nexus of science and environmental issues. We go in depth into foundational chemistry while connecting what we learn to the real world: solar photovoltaics, fuel cells, wind energy, climate change, glacial melting, and more. Our professor wants us to understand how these seemingly minute details are the foundation for modern science.
12-1: My second class, which surveys philosophers from Abelard to Spinoza, begins. I believe in history and philosophy as a necessary foundation for any personʼs education, and Iʼve taken a philosophy course both semesters of my first year. As environmentalists, itʼs important to understand human behavior and the origin of our thinking and societal structures.
Quick break! Run around doing various bits of homework, meeting friends, and meeting Professors. Maybe a chance to eat!
2:30-4: I am taking a course on environmental policy, and we learn about different case studies by focusing on water. My professor is one of the leading water experts in the world. We look at different water systems and understand how to balance ecological, social, economic, and energy needs. My fellow classmates are also very interested in environmental issues, so there is always lively discussion and debate.
5-6: I have section for my philosophy class. We discuss the weekʼs reading and understand themes better. Itʼs also a chance to ask questions and delve deeper into a theory or idea.
8-10: Back-to-back meetings with two environmental groups on campus. We talk about upcoming actions, outreach events, next steps, and progress. This is by far one of the best parts of the day! You hang out with people who have similar interests to you, and you leave inspired by the motivation and inspiration of the community around you.
Then comes homework! Never a dull moment.
I pick classes based on their relevance to my life and passions. Each one of my courses is related to my environmental efforts in some way. I feel like I am constantly inspired and motivated because I know that what I am learning is truly meaningful. Our cause requires knowledge about many fields. Itʼs not just about chemistry and biology. We also need to understand philosophy, sociology, and anthropology. So when youʼre getting ready for college, make sure you choose courses that are intrinsically motivating for you. This is an important step that will make your life and experience much more fulfilling.
I just wrote this piece for Next Gen Journal!
Our government must spend its money wisely. During this time of financial distress, there is one noticeable way that money can be allocated more justly for a safer and healthier future: cutting fossil fuel subsidies.
A few weeks ago, President Obama called on Americans to contact our Congressional representatives and urge them to reduce fossil fuel subsidies in the Fiscal Year 2013 budget. He has outlined specific proposals for how fossil fuel preferences — which total $4 billion — will be decreased.
Some money that is classified as fossil fuel subsidies is actually put toward the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and other federally funded social projects. So President Obama isn’t eliminating all fossil fuel subsidies because some of that money goes towards worthy causes. Instead, his strategy is to eliminate $29.1 billion in tax breaks to the industry and $113 million in research and development for fossil fuel technologies. In total, the United States would save $4.75 billion in 2013 and $39 billion over the next ten years.
There are many arguments for why fossil fuel subsidies should be eliminated. There is the human cost: fossil fuels cause pollution. This pollution contributes to over 2 million severe respiratory illness across the United States. Furthermore, burning of fossil fuels is one of the main contributors to global climate change. The United States is second only to China in fossil-fuel derived carbon dioxide emissions, and we have the highest per capita fossil fuel consumption rates in the entire world. Climate change is having undeniable effects on agriculture, health, economic development, human safety and livelihoods. By supporting and enabling unbridled fossil fuel consumption, the United States is contributing to global decline and harming people’s lives.
The financial argument is compelling as well. Eliminating fossil fuel subsidies will only have a slight effect on the American economy. Less than 1 percent of fossil fuel companies’ revenue would be affected, so cuts wouldn’t kill jobs or substantially affect energy security. The average American would only pay $1.42-6.50 more per year for energy. This is a small increase given the federal savings.
The savings from cutting subsidies have many implications for the future. They will encourage a transition to a greener, cleaner, healthier economy. This money can be invested in renewable energy development and increasing environmental quality in under-privileged neighborhoods. Funding can go towards the education system or tax breaks for low-income households. The alternative uses for this money can contribute to substantial social, environmental and economic good — none of which are achieved by the fossil fuel industry.
Yet the benefits are only theoretical right now- Americans must pressure Congress to remove these subsidies from the 2013 budget. There are a few ways that you can take action and call on your representatives to lobby for these changes.
Students for a Just and Stable Future, a Massachusetts-based political climate advocacy students group, has started a campaign to mobilize support for these cuts. The first step is to sign the petition on Change.org, calling on Congress to cut fossil fuel subsidies. You can also call your representatives. Log your call using this form. Lastly, mobilize support on your campus to encourage others to sign the petition and call their senators.
These actions only take a few minutes. But we have the power and duty to tell our government to invest our money in more just and responsible ways.
“In light of recent debates over women’s rights and in honor of Women’s Week, I think we could all benefit from a hard a look at the subtle pervasiveness of masculine language in our discourse that even most feminists subconsciously perpetuate.” I just wrote this oped for The Harvard Crimson!
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/3/20/freshwoman-feminism-language-women/
Climate Central has recently come out with harrowing and urgent data about rising sea levels. What distinguishes the information this time is that Climate Central also published maps that allows people who live in coastal areas to visualize rising sea levels. You can adjust sea level to rise to see just how much 1 foot of rise affect the coastline.Moderate estimates project 1-8 inches above current levels by 2030. This has profound implications for ecosystems, economies, and communities. But what struck me the most are the maps. I can see towns that I grew up in inundated with sea water.
This map is a sign that climate change is real and here. It is not imaginary and abstract. Everyone is affected. We are feeling the effects of a changing planet, and they will only get worse if we do not act to change our behaviors and society.We have the tools to change. It is completely possible. It just takes one decision, one commitment. Then tell your friends. Then pressure your Senators and Representatives. Build-up the momentum.
I just discovered the New Earth Archive. It is an online database of resources centered around “climate change, sustainability, and social justice.” Books, movies, documentaries, news–this a fantastic resource. Check it out!
One Global Initiative is now featured on First Here, Then Everywhere! Click the description below to read more…
The #KONY2012 campaign has me completely inspired. I wrote an op-ed for Next Gen Journal about the movement and what you can do to help.
http://nextgenjournal.com/2012/03/kony2012-the-movement-for-our-generation/
To summarize, here is what you can do:
1) Watch the video. I promise that it will change you.
2) Share with everyone you know. Use #KONY2012 to show your support. Spread the word. Utilize your social media accounts.
3) Go to www.kony2012.com. Sign the petition and join the coalition. Connect with actions in your area.
4) On the website, you can contact key legislators and pressure them to support the effort to arrest Kony.
5) On Friday April 20, participate in Cover the Night, a campaign to cover cities and towns with Kony 2012 posters during the night. When the everyone else wakes up on Saturday, they will see red posters covering their neighborhoods. They will wonder: who is Joseph Kony? They will learn. And they too will want to change.
I just saw one of the most powerful documentaries, and I want to share it with you. It is about ending the war in Uganda, arresting Joseph Kony, and protecting children from being abducted from their homes and used as child soldiers in a rebel army. Please watch this video to the very end. It will explain everything and inspire you to take action and end this atrocity.
I co-wrote this article with fellow environment activists at Harvard!
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/3/6/fossil-fuel-obama-subsidies-environment/
