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THE ROADRUNNER

THE ROADRUNNER

The Emissions Epidemic

Shifting Focus and Shifting Blame
Photo+by+Chris+LeBoutillier+on+Unsplash%0A++
Photo by Chris LeBoutillier on Unsplash

Let’s face it; individual actions alone cannot save our planet from the looming environmental catastrophe. We often find ourselves pointing fingers at each other and blaming ourselves because of our carbon footprints while overlooking the elephant in the room – corporate emissions. A crucial step in saving the world of tomorrow is to recognize that the real battle against emissions lies in the boardrooms, not on the streets.

     Emissions are the gases released into the atmosphere because of human activities, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases trap heat and lead to the infamous greenhouse effect. While our individual choices like carpooling or switching to reusable straws certainly matter, it’s time to acknowledge that a handful of mega-corporations are responsible for most global emissions.

      It’s not about you driving your car or me forgetting to recycle that soda can; it’s about these massive corporations emitting tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. While we are left with the guilt of using plastic bags, gigantic corporations are raking in billions at the cost of the environment. The solution goes beyond our personal choices.

     We need to turn individual guilt into collective action against corporations prioritizing their bottom line at the cost of the environment. The result is the destruction of our planet, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disappearing ecosystems. It’s time to hold these giants accountable, demand change, and work together to secure a greener, more sustainable future. 

      Taking a stance against emissions doesn’t have to be an attack on capitalism or big business. It can be a chance for responsible capitalism, which recognizes the urgent need for sustainable practices as we can no longer afford to let corporations prioritize short-term gains over the long-term well-being of our only planet.

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Nathan Azevedo Espindula
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    Rae MorrisonOct 25, 2023 at 12:22 pm

    All good points. The role that Butte College has with pollution in our valley is worth exploring too–the driving of X amount of cars each day from Chico, Paradise, Oroville, and Glenn County to Main Campus creates an undisclosed amount of pollution in this valley that has quite high rates of lung cancer. I know the school is very proud of its solar panel work, but let’s encourage the school to take on the car pollution it encourages each day. Staff and faculty are not allowed to take busses and bus schedules are limited.

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