Lelia Cottin-Rack is a prospective English and Religious Studies double major. Her interests include art, walking in the woods, cooking, reading, opposing fascism, and coffee. You can send her book recommendations at ljcottinrack@wm.edu.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.
Earlier this month, the College of William and Mary’s board of visitors declared 2025 as the “Year of the Environment” at the College. If you, like many of us, are looking at the state of the world and wondering what exactly this means, flounder no longer. I’ve compiled a short, handy list of tips for how to celebrate your own personal “Year of the Environment” here on campus.
- Conserve
Are you eager to do your part in reducing carbon emissions, but have a few bad habits? Maybe you leave your light on, refusing to do homework in the dark, or maybe you use ChatGPT, despite knowing that its monthly carbon footprint (roughly 260 transatlantic flights) is almost equal to Taylor Swift’s.
If this sounds like you, don’t worry; we’ve all been there! If you want to minimize your carbon effects, try recycling, shadowbanning Elon Musk on Twitter (since billionaires produce more carbon pollution in 90 minutes than you will in your entire life), keeping your showers to under 10 minutes and seed-bombing.
- Spend time outdoors
Get in touch with nature! You may have a hard time finding physical trees now that they’ve all been cut down for construction, but don’t worry, the new dorm buildings — Poplar, Maple, Oak and Pine — are all named after tree species indigenous to the region. The effect is incredibly authentic: If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine the sound of chirping birds.
While you’re on spring break next month, consider going for a hike! Take advantage of the week off to visit a national park — they’ll be less crowded than usual this time of year without all those park rangers! (Safety note: If you’re planning to visit southern California, make sure to minimize smoke inhalation by wearing an N-95 mask.)
- Stay informed
Our knowledge of science is constantly evolving! By the time this article is published, leading science experts like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may have discovered that the moon is in fact a wheel of cheese (though between you and I, I’m skeptical the moon exists at all). It’s important to stay informed, so make sure to routinely refresh your Twitter and Facebook feeds so you can be up-to-date with the latest scientific breakthroughs.
- Buy second-hand
Trying to save the environment and some money? Take advantage of Goodwill, Craigslist and the pop-up thrift events on Crim Dell Meadow to buy your clothes, furniture, eggs, gasoline, groceries and everything else that was supposed to be cheaper in this economy.
- DON’T Collaborate
It’s important to remember — despite common misconceptions — that we are NOT in this fight together. Although all humans are experiencing the effects of rising temperatures as climate change exacerbates natural disasters, disease, habitat loss, poverty, water shortages, mental health and malnutrition around the world, slowing global warming is something one person or one country SHOULD do alone! That’s why the U.S. government has pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords — because an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a tacky waste of precious resources. As a country, we thought we’d be better on our own, and you should too.
Keep in mind: The climate crisis is your own individual fault. If you are experiencing quiet shame and hopelessness, these are appropriate feelings. DO NOT look to create meaningful impact through collaborative efforts or volunteering. Furthermore, please refrain from joining this campus’s many environmental groups, such as the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the Minorities against the Climate Crisis Club, Compost Club or the Environment and Sustainability department. Though they may offer a sense of community, purpose and direction, they truly have your worst interests in mind and may in fact educate you on environmental issues. I find it best that you stay away.
