Written by: Abbie Baggerly
The topic of climate change is heating up on campus.
On Nov. 12, S.A.V.E (Students Against Violating the Environment) hosted a panel discussion of four speakers on climate change and the fossil fuel divestment movement.
Dr. Jason Allard, associate professor of geosciences, was the first speaker to address the audience.
Allard said that humans are most likely causing drastic changes to the climate. He also said that sea levels have risen since the mid-19th century, oceans have warmed and glaciers have shrunk all around the world.
“Human influence on the climate is clear,” Allard said. “There is an increase (of) the greenhouse gas concentrations on the atmosphere.”
Dr. Christine James, professor of philosophy, discussed the health issues that are caused from fossil fuels.
She said burning coal harms people that cannot escape from the poor atmosphere. Breathing and behavior issues are common in children that breathe these fuels in on a regular basis.
Dr. Michael Noll, associate professor of geoscience, also addressed the audience about problems with using fossil fuels. He elaborated on the fact that the U.S. is the largest source of CO2 emissions.
Some of the alternatives to using fossil fuels are solar, wind, geothermal and hydro energy.
“We are moving in the right direction, but we are moving too slowly,” Noll said.