Green ambitions meet political roadblocks
Upcoming solar power projects at the university will increase renewable energy usage by 6% at the Fayetteville campus and give renewable energy to 21 campuses. This project will save $3 million for our campus and possibly $130 million overall, according to Office for Sustainability. It is the fourth-largest solar energy system in the nation, making our campus a leader in converting campuses to renewable energy.
This initiative could persuade other Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools to chase greener horizons and show students that their involvement in climate advocacy can make a difference. The design and accomplishment of this plan gives other universities the blueprint to do the same.
Fayetteville was named the number one volunteer community for multiple years in a row – while much of this is required, there are large communities of students who truly care about their community and impact on the environment here. Caring about the future of Fayetteville, students convene to put in place programs, events and alternative options that will make the UofA greener. Sustainability and environmental clubs and their student advocates at the university work hard to provide sustainable alternatives, spread awareness and educate their peers on the importance of this topic. Everyone has an interest in the climate crisis because we all live on the Earth.
The University of Arkansas has extensive communities involved in sustainability, volunteer work and giving back. In the past, coordination of these groups with each other, the university and the community has been a pitfall to their further effectiveness. More recently, their actions have been more communal and, therefore, gaining ground because there is a collected presence of students who truly care about the community here and want to give back.
Although the university struggles to make life better for students in many ways, there are some positive initiatives they are taking, such as joining the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment and adopting a solar energy system that will be the fourth-largest in the nation.
Over $130 million will be saved through this project, and this money will go directly back to the school and the students. While this solar plan is a win for using renewable energy on campus, with recent laws passed in Arkansas, this project would not be possible if it were being pursued now, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. SB1295 recently passed and undoes an act created in 2001 to encourage renewable energy usage through a specific billing system that incentivizes renewable energy users.
Essentially, renewable energy projects were defunded in a state that was choosing to become more green. With this, renewable energy projects are much less affordable, making non-renewable energy the only option for many people.
While the university and students work together to create a greener campus and community, the state government works against our interests. Our state and national governments are working against people’s needs, so we need to be united on what matters because we will have to push back against bills like SB1295, undoing years of work.
As students work to formulate a plan to hold the university accountable, do your part in education and in being aware of the environmental status of companies you contribute to. Whether companies you work for or corporations you frequently purchase from, hold accountable companies by not giving them your money or time if they are harming the Earth.
Support the movements beginning to protect the community amidst political unrest and interpersonal uncertainty. This is the time to do something. It takes putting pressure on people in positions of power to make change for the people who need it and the things that depend on us to protect them, such as the environment.
As the climate clock ticks and the White House packs itself full of climate change deniers, it is more important than ever to stay educated and hold organizations accountable for their actions, specifically for their harmful policies, the way they allocate their resources and their environmental policies.
Massive corporations are the primary contributors to carbon emissions and, therefore, climate change effects; while individual action is helpful on a wide scale of participation, the damage large corporations make is enormous compared to our collective carbon footprint. An easy way to hold companies accountable is by boycotting them until they change their policies; many local alternatives are better. You can also be vocal about why you do not support certain companies.
Be in support of the student’s actions and the university setting a precedent for southern schools to be more environmentally friendly. Mostly because it is something the students strongly care about and advocate for. Join the University and its students in reaching for better options and alternatives to help students, the community and the Earth.