Global Warming is growing from a distant thunderhead to a raging global maelstrom. Smog clouds numerous cities and polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate threatening its inhabitants; both human and animal alike. According to National Geographic’s website, by 2050 because of rising temperatures due to human induced greenhouse gases, over 1,103 species will be dangling precariously on the verge of extinction.
The counter attack to this growing global threat has begun, both globally and locally. Former Vice President Al Gore’s Documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, illuminated this impending scourge and celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio are promoting “environmentally safe” automobiles. However, the most moving efforts are on the local front.
Partnered with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an international honor society of two year colleges, students and professors are actively participating in Operation Green. The goals of the project are to help save the environment by recycling bottles and cans and to promote ways to combat global warming. The twin peaks of bottles which graced Buchanan Hall, as well as the numerous displays in the library speak for themselves. According to SwVCC Librarian Diane Phillips the library is an active supporter of Operation Green. “I was amazed at how many recyclable bottles I accumulated in a month.” One of the tips she gives to help save the environment is to use energy efficient light bulbs. Also, she jokes, “get a goat, it’s more natural than mowing!”
Brady Surles, a professor at Southwest, is also the project advisor of the SwVCC PTK Chapter. The ultimate goals of Operation Green, a splinter cell of the Keep America Beautiful campaign, are to improve communities by encouraging cleanup and to promote public awareness, both chapter and state-wide, through special projects such as the week long emphasis on recycling plastic bottles, caps and aluminum cans. Their initial goal of 1,000 bottle caps was surpassed and they will present these caps at the PTK meeting in Charlottesville. When asked about the challenges facing the “green” movement, Surles stated that the most pressing challenges were the need for more information on what is happening to the environment and how people can help and the other is finding ways to motivate individuals to become more aware of the environment.
“The effects of global warming are narrowly defined. I have family on the coastline and to think that these communities could someday be underwater is scary,” said Surles. “When I was in high school the population was 150 million now it is around 300 million.” With a growing global population comes responsibility and with choices come consequences. Two choices are in the balance for the future of the world’s environment. One choice can cause an immediate inconvenience the other an eternity of penance.