The Greenhouse Effects on Climate Change Natalie Meyers 03/04/2023 Across the globe, numerous ecosystems and animal kingdoms are at risk of extinction. These ecosystems are becoming critically endangered due to climate changes like higher average temperatures. The biggest threat to climate change and rising earth temperatures is the greenhouse effect, which is aided by regressive economic efforts like oil pipelines, top-producing companies, and agriculture. One major development up for voting at the executive level is the Willow Project pipeline, which would span across northern Alaska, resulting in an addition of over 250 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere within the next 30 years. This would be equivalent to emissions from 1/3 of current US coal plant emissions. The only person who has the power to sign off or stop this project from happening is our president, Joe Biden. The most impactful thing an average citizen can do to combat a climate crisis like this would be to get involved in politics, specifically politicians that acknowledge that there is climate change and strive to help the rising issue. Voting for politicians who put the environment over economic profits is key, and educating oneself on what pipelines like these mean in long-term effects. Understanding the issue in full will allow one to make an eco-conscious decision when voting on the next ballot. There are plenty of other things that one person can do on a day-to-day basis to remain eco-conscious, as well. The three big R's for example: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Each one is a small and simple aspect of fighting the climate crisis, but a little effort can go a long way if a great number of people are practicing these daily. Another switch individuals can make is trying out green technology, like solar panels for their electricity or battery-powered cars. These are not as easy to accomplish compared to the three big R's, as money would be a barrier for many citizens as these technologies are averagely more expensive. On a daily basis, I do whatever I can to reduce my plastic consumption. It is the simplest switch to help the environment in my opinion, as I just had to invest in glass Tupperware and stick with my reusable bottles/cups whenever I am outside of the house. I also have made the effort of purchasing long-term-use cleaning/self-care supplies, like toothpaste tablets and get cleaning supplies from a bulk store in my community. You bring in your own bottles and fill them up with whatever product you need. Also, many people in the eco-conscious community make their own products at home, like dish soap or grout cleaner, from simple household materials. Focussing on one's internal plastic consumption can entice that person to make a change, as the majority of the population would want to be more eco-friendly. To summarize, I believe that the most impactful action one can take to combat climate change is by voting for politicians that can stop projects like the Willow Project from occurring. There are many things that an individual can do to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and cut down on their own consumption, but those little pieces are not as important as the CO2 emissions that would result from a pipeline or major factory. The true solution to climate change is a change of putting economic profits of entire ecosystems. Change needs to happen. We must prevent crises' like this from creating irreversible damage to our world.

Suicide is a humanitarian crisis rising every year in the United States. It wreaks havoc on the life it takes, the light from those around that life, and the community that life was apart of. 2 years ago, on November 3rd of 2020, my best friend and childhood neighbor took his life on a frozen and quite night after a party. That night, Jonah and I agreed to meet up with some classmates at a party. Nothing out of the sort happened, we all had a good time, and I remember Jonah laughing through the whole night. We had carpooled, so we dropped Jonah off at home first, and then the others, and so on. At 3:16 A.M. I was awoken to a spam of calls from Julie, Jonah’s mother. My stomach sank, my heart thumped so hard out of my chest I thought it would explode, as the fleeting words of what occurred that night poured through the phone and into my head. My father heard the gasps and cries from my room as I couldn’t contain whatever I was feeling, ran over and took us both to Jonah’s house to be there for Julie. She was a single mom, and Jonah was her only son. Whatever pain I felt then had no comparison to her world being turned upside down in a matter of hours. The following days consisted of the wake and the funeral. I don’t remember most of that week, as that is the one good thing about the human brain and trauma: it blacks out the things you can’t deal with. What I do remember is Julie: her sunken eyes and puffy face, color drained, leaving her a ghost of herself. And that casket- holding the man who I drove to school with every morning, the shoulder I could always cry on, my wing man, my gym buddy, my partner in crime, my brother. I will never know what happened; he was a popular kid, with lots of friends, always had a smile on his face, and had potential scholarships to continue his dream career in football. Because of that, it’s been extremely difficult to forgive myself, since I was around him 24/7, I should’ve noticed something. I’ve had a difficult time dealing with this loss, and still find it hard to go about my life some days. Since then, I’ve dealt with many mental hardships, including when I tried to take my own life. In December of 2021, I was at my lowest point. I had completely cut off the majority of my friends, had a horrible relationship with my father, and increased mental illness. I was in a state of deep depression, and attempted to take my own life that night. I woke up at 5 A.M. knowing I had seriously screwed up. I collapsed trying to get to my dad, and woke up the following day in the hospital. I opened my eyes, turned my head to meet my fathers gaze, and saw the same look I saw in Julie. At that moment, I decided that if I can’t live for myself right now, I need to for him. I scared myself so much because I scared him; my father has always been my rock, and I never wanted to cause him that pain again. Since that moment, I have redefined how I live, how I view life and the impact it truly has. That’s why I want to pursue a higher degree, to improve my life and keep the light of Jonah with me through my journey.

What makes me a unique Generation Z student is my independent will and being able to think for myself. That may not sound like a unique trait, but in this generation it’s like finding a diamond in the rough. Our media outlets flood our brains with propaganda for political parties rather than writing about truth and fact. Opinions are now seen as concrete fact over real statistics, and everyone in my generation is to be groomed to be only “republican” or only “democratic” rather than looking at policies and deciding for yourself what stand you take on the position. Gen Z is taught to think for others and take into consideration the standpoint of others which is creating a culture of self-doubt, and teaching these individuals to be followers. These ideologies in modern society are ruining the next wave of the working class, as no one can take initiative in their own lives, and especially in their occupations. I do not take what I see on a news outlet as fact, I do not consider opinions to represent factual reality, and do not care if that certain facts hurts another persons “feelings.” I understand the concept of how I work and strive now will have direct effects on my future, rather than looking for the easy way. I have always been a hard worker, and love to prove my worth whether it’s in my occupation, volunteering, or academics. Another unique distinction I posses is my love for work, which is shown through my many occupations and how long I have stuck with them throughout the years. I have been working since I legally could at 14, and have consistently had two jobs since then. I feel a need to work, as it proves to myself and to others how dedicated I am to my future and its outcomes. In the future, I hope to have gained enough experience and capital to start my own business, which consists of making collaborations with humane society’s across the country. This collaboration would be opening up my own franchise of coffee shops in high trafficking areas, and on the left of the building is a clean and aesthetically please coffee house, and on the right side of the building is animals from the humane society ready to meet potential adopters. I have been a volunteer at my local humane society for over 3 years, and the market of “dog/cat cafes” is untapped. This would be my way of giving back to the community, by helping animals first hand find loving homes sooner, while also helping with overcrowding in shelter kennels. It also brings a new community of people together, animals and coffee loves, to create a new hub in a city and creating a better environment in the community.