Since the initial demonstrations in 1970, Earth Day has served as a platform for raising awareness of environmental action and the long-term negative impacts of human action. Sparked by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, then Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson helped inspire student protests against war and ecological destruction, eventually leading to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by Former President Richard Nixon in the same year.
In light of recent environmental policy shifts, such as the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States (U.S.) from the Paris Agreement and halt clean energy projects like wind farms, public discourse around climate change and sustainability has intensified.
To better understand how these drastic changes are being received, The Highlander conducted a poll asking University of California, Riverside (UCR) students and community members to share their thoughts on Earth Day and climate change.
Question: What is one environmental problem that worries you the most?
Emmanuel Green, Neuroscience and Biology, Fourth year (he/him)
“The environmental problem that worries me the most is deforestation. I think it’s sad to see trees gone and time lapses of the Earth changing. Even though trees and plants only account for one-third of oxygen production, it’s still a big part. Another environmental problem that worries me is overconsumption. With overpopulation and loss of habitats and biodiversity, these problems become more worrisome because they can compound.”
Isaac Antonio, Business Economics, Second year (he/him)
“Air pollution. With COVID, we saw that the air pollution got much better. But as soon as everyone started using their cars and industries started working again, we saw air pollution was back at its extreme toxicity levels.”
Danielle Ma, Political Science, Third year (she/her)
“First thing that comes to mind is air quality, specifically with warehousing in the Inland Empire [I.E.]. Given the current administration, a lot of the EPA’s regulations have been rolled back, so I’m kind of concerned.”
Question: Do you think events and celebrations like Earth Day actually raise awareness about climate issues?
Maricela Vasquez, Plant Biology, Third year (she/her)
“I think it definitely does raise awareness because a lot of people don’t really know what to do to help. So when they show up to events [related to Earth Day], they think … ‘I didn’t know that this was sustainable and that this wasn’t sustainable.’ They have an opportunity to learn about new things and how they can help the environment.”
Emilio Rojas, Studio Art, First year (he/him)
“Absolutely. If events like that aren’t put out, then no one is aware, but if events like that are put out, then people can start to feel cautious. There’s going to be a sense of community where other people will care, and everyone will show up. I do believe that if there are events, they will actually make an impact.”
Sachi Bhahji, Environmental Science, Second year (she/her)
“I think it does because people not only learn about Earth Day, but they also get involved in how to take sustainable actions.”
Question: Do you think individual action actually helps with climate change?
Angel Canales, Economics, Class of 2023 (he/him)
“I think that we all need to come to work together to be able to meet these common goals we have with combating climate change. I think a lot of people have issues with knowing what they can actually do as an individual person to help combat the issues of climate change. We all need to be able to communicate with one another to be able to work towards these common goals.”
Kathya Leon, Business Economics, Fourth year (she/her)
“Definitely. I feel like a little goes a long way, even if it’s just one person, because people will learn from each other and educate each other.”
Hannah Dueñas, Psychology, Fourth year (she/her)
“I think yes, but the focus shouldn’t be on the individual consumer. I think the focus should be on the companies creating the waste in the first place. There is only so much an individual can do without real structural change. That being said, one individual makes up a mob of individuals [who are] willing to work on the problem …”
