Weber State University Student Newspapers | 2019-09-12 | Page 7

MyWeberMedia.com | September 12, 2019 | 5 urally, are the Climate Change Alarmists; and, then there is everyone in between. Kathy Wilson, an enrollee in Weber State University’s Lifelong Learning courses, helped shed some light with her thoughts, giving some insight on the matter of climate change from a WWII Generationer’s perspective. She said that people in her age group “never” talked about climate change, suggesting in most cases, both locally and globally, the elderly generation are not concerned about climate change. Wilson doesn’t fall into that category herself, holding firm to her convictions, stating, “We as human beings are not inconsequential to the environment and are affecting it adversely — and it’s time we wake up and smell the flowers.” Stances like Wilson's are considered crucial to the scientific community because the data shows that the earth is warming up, especially with a man-made sharp incline in recent years. The ice caps are melting and there’s increased danger for more intense and destructive weather patterns. Currently, the earth’s temperature has increased by 1.5 degrees Celsius, and once we bridge the 2 degree Celsius tipping point, it will take 1,000 years to recover from those ramifications. According to Gillies, over the next 10– 20 years, “The effects of Global Warming in terms of sea level rise could destabilize areas like Asia, Bangladesh, India and China—to a certain extent. And, then, if you get that destabilization, what do you get, right? You get population movement, and, potentially, you get conflict.” It can be easy to fall into destructive mindsets about climate change, and there will always be “we’re already too far gone” or the “what difference can one person really make?” mentalities, while the proactive approach is just that: proactive. It takes action, both individual and group initiatives. Overall awareness and commu- New plasma donors receive up to $475 in a month! nication will keep climate change under control. Clearly, we’re getting extremely close to the tipping point of the earth’s temperature reaching the 2 degree Celsius mark. “Don’t be too pessimistic,” Gillies said, “There are optimistic aspects out there. You look at the development of energy going to renewables, you look at cars going towards electric vehicles. They are just as good as our cars that have combustion engines. The human race can adapt." Comment on this column at signpost.mywebermedia.com Visit a Biomat USA plasma center near you: Ogden / [phone] Clearfield / [phone] Roy /[phone] grifolsplasma.com