Bold Deep Thinking Scholarship

The biggest problem facing the world right now is absolutely climate change. We're acknowledging the issue, but we're not doing enough about it - and that's costing us. From longer heat waves that are lethal to the flooding of coastal communities, we're reaping the effects of a global yet somewhat cryptic problem. We know how to solve the problems in general: reduce CO2 emissions and find ways to absorb CO2 already emitted. However, we often think of solving this as a solely electoral issue, as if we'll solve the problem just by voting in the right people. This solution does encapsulate objectives that can be accomplished only on a legislative level (such as banning new fossil fuel projects and subsidizing renewables), but it's a solution that's incomplete, rife with disconnections between legislators and voters. Instead of solely empowering legislators that only might combat climate change, we need to empower the people and thus energize a grassroots movements for a better future, free from the ravages of climate change. We can do this with local initiatives, such as cultivating gardens (doable in schools and has the added benefit of teaching youth about climate change and its related science). In gyms, we can install bikes that generate renewable electricity (which can also encourage individual health). These initiatives can increase local engagement and help everyday people have a personal connection with solving a broader problem. Local initiatives provide added benefits for communities, including cleaner air and more walkable space. With the momentum at the local level, people can then incentivize electoral engagement at all levels of government, from the cities to the federal government. This empowers voters to choose candidates who will implement policies that will combat climate change. We can combat climate change when we start with us.

Recycling is not talked about enough. The general public has been nurtured by manipulative companies that the triangle symbol on the bottom of a bottle, means it is 100%, undeniably, recyclable. The only solution is to create active change in government-operated buildings and believe the trickle-down effect will change the way we recycle. According to National Geographic in 2021, only about 9% of plastic is recycled, meaning the other 91% in the bin, is thrown out. The alarming number is caused by blockage of food scraps and un-recyclable materials. Since the 70’s companies have been trying to evade different mandated regulations about recyclable materials their goods are sold in. By adding the “recycle triangle”, it alludes to the public that the item is recyclable, when in fact a 6 or 7, is nearly impossible to reuse. The laws don’t nearly do enough to enforce real recycling. Enforcing stricter laws in government-run operations will integrate into the public's awareness. If your take away from a public school is they don’t recycle, you’d be conditioned from a young age to not recycle. By making recycling a larger part of the youth’s education, when they come home, they will attempt to remedy the wrongdoing of recycling dirty plastics. At schools, there should be more cans added to each classroom and room. When children are raised in an environmentally conscious space, they take that with them. Every government building should go through the same regulation of prioritizing the recycling of metal, glass, and plastics. With the government leading by example, the promotion of correct recycling retains its importance. Starting in regulated buildings can prevent more excess waste from being put out into the oceans and atmosphere. Change happens one person at a time, the time is now, and the place is in government buildings.