Within the past few months, the effects of climate change have been heavily highlighted with a slew of natural disasters. Hurricanes, forest fires, and a rise in temperatures globally have been among the most significant events. Not only have these disasters destroyed parts of our earth, but also they are tearing apart people’s lives. For years, Nerinx has taken steps towards becoming a greener school, following in the Loretto footsteps of working for justice and acting for peace. The Loretto Sisters have inspired us to be effective citizens. But what can we, the Nerinx Hall community and Loretto individuals, do to be even more effective and help in the fight to end climate change?

Knowledge is power. To know how to stop climate change, we must go to the cause of it: us. In an interview with Mrs. Janet Csolak, she stated, “The consensus of scientists is that the climate change we are seeing is due to human activity and that right now is the source of contention politically.” She explained how most [American] politicians recognize climate change is occurring, but some fail to admit human activity is the cause of this global distress. This may be why Europe is ahead of us in many aspects of halting climate change, according to The Guardian. Many Americans have learned the value of recycling. However, we fall behind when it comes to reducing our waste, producing more waste than any other country in the world according to most media outlets. Though President Trump’s final decision to leave the Paris Climate Accord could still change from his earlier announcement this year, the threat of it is enough to cause worry. In Loretto Earth Network News, an article entitled “Mother Earth is Weeping” was released this past March. In the article, Maureen Fiedler discusses the frightening truth about what Trump’s administration means for the future of our planet and life on earth. She champions those who know climate change is true,, to protest peacefully and act in any way we can to change Trump’s likely policies. Fiedler declares, “It is up to us to promote renewable energy: solar, wind and geothermal.” In her eyes, the future of our planet depends on us.

As Nerinx students, it is our responsibility to enact change in our community and world. Csolak recommends, “reducing our carbon footprint which means walking, biking, or using cars that have good emission standards and high miles per gallon, recycling, but [especially] reducing our waste.” She also liked last year’s drive to recycle plastic sandwich bags and believes we can build on that initiative by encouraging students to bring their lunches in reusable containers. These are only a few possibilities of the endless options to join the movement to end climate change.

Though climate change may seem irreversible and frightful, hope is never lost. Like the Loretto sisters, there will always be people to fight for what is right and to educate others about social justice topics such as climate change. The grassroots movement for climate change continues to reduce waste and support clean energy use in the United States and around the world. As students, we can promote clean energy and waste reduction and use our voices, as the Lorettos have modeled, into college and into our adult lives. Because, much like the Lorettos, we can be stewards of the earth.