College Addressing Climate Change Could Ease Budget Crisis and Lay-offs

To the Editors:

Recently, in appealing for the support of fellow students and faculty members at Oberlin College in addressing the issue of climate change on campus, I have several times been confronted with the assumption and fallacy that climate change mitigation must necessarily take priority and precedence over college financial issues, and is consequently not important or feasible during this time of financial hardship. In point of fact, reducing climate impacts and saving money are anything but antithetical and, with the proper administrative support, can be mutually supportive and beneficial.
For instance, reducing greenhouse gas emissions through simple measures such as purchasing energy efficient products and replacing inefficient ones can save money at little additional cost, which is more than made up for in financial returns. Although not immediate, these cost savings can occur relatively quickly as far as investments go. I applaud recent initiatives by the Facilities department to look into such measures, but more aggressive measures need to be taken. This means administrative action and coordination, as well as proactive efforts on the part of students and faculty members.
In short, promoting climate neutrality and climate change mitigation efforts on campus can ease the budget crisis and help to stop lay-offs. Recent protest and concern over such economic downsizing would be well-directed in embracing actions addressing climate change as part of a solution.

–Rob Stenger
College sophomore