Climate change isn’t all about greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures.
The Tufts Climate Resilience Institute (CRI) Pre-College Program has shown me how complex climate change is. Climate change isn’t all about greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures.
Climate change will affect and is affecting everyone in many different ways. Throughout the course our wonderful group of TAs created beautiful presentations to show us disparities in climate vulnerabilities, who is being affected by climate change, and how they are being affected. This has allowed me to see climate change for what it really is: a complex issue that must be looked at from a multi-disciplinary lens.
The final TA presentation came from Hannah Bray. She showed us that although there are a lot of climate problems that need solving, there are communities who have adapted to climate change.
Although talking about these huge issues can seem overwhelming and often bring about feelings of hopeless, the Tufts CRI made me feel the exact opposite. In fact, the Tufts CRI has inspired me immensely. It has shown me incredible organizations that are spreading awareness about climate change, and introduced me to a passionate and enthusiastic group of peers who are committed to saving our planet. There is still so much work to be done in terms of lowering emissions, establishing climate justice, and creating innovative strategies, but we will get there if we can put in the work.
Overall, Tufts CRI wonderfully teaches students why it’s so important to study climate change by laying out the jarring effects, but balances this with critical discussions about solutions, and “reasons for hope.”
