Falcons Tackle Climate Change Discourse

Climate change is dominating conversations and polarizing American politics. Citizens around the world have tried to find a way to combat climate change, by protesting in the streets, organizing petitions, and urging their elected officials to take action. There have been thousands of calls for protests, which were held in communities around the world, making it clear that many people understand what is happening and the consequences it can have. 

For Alexa Nuñez, a junior at Ferguson, it is very important that awareness about these issues and how they can affect us in the future, is instilled in our student body. According to Nuñez, the current administration is not interested in combating climate change, but Nuñez makes it clear that communities are interested in doing something and making a change. The debate about climate change is continuous and for that reason they increasingly create new opinions and expectations about what may happen in the following years and what can be done to solve environmental problems.

In honor of Global Climate Strike Day, Ferguson juniors Emily Rivera and Alexa Nuñez organized a school-wide survey to compile the varying opinions of our student body on the topic of climate change. The survey was conducted during both lunches and there were tables of computers to facilitate it. There was also an interactive stand that volunteers helped decorate, where students could put their face into the structure and take pictures with it. Superintendent Carvalho congratulated the students on their efforts through a tweet. 

The students created a report and compared the results to a similar survey that Biology teacher, Mrs. Hays’ conducted.

At John A. Ferguson Senior High School, the opinion of most students is that climate change is a real thing and that attention should be paid. 

Cesar Arteaga, senior, considers that climate change is a real threat, “it is a real thing and is very important due to the high rate of species in danger of extinction.” He believes that governments and the current administration in the United States don’t do what’s necessary to combat it, “There is always a new factory, more cars and more smoke coming from these types of things,” 

Arteaga commented that he has tried in some way to help the environment and reduce pollution to combat climate change, by walking and using his bicycle to go to nearby places. 

On September 24th, the Falcon Climate Conference was held in the auditorium, where they discussed how climate change occurs, how glaciers are melting, the orbital changes of the earth, and the lack of debate in the media about climate change.

Dr. Anthony Hynes, University of Miami professor and specialist in environmental and climate issues, led the conference. Hynes conducted an interactive lab on the different effects glacial ice melt has compared to iceberg ice on sea level rise. He did this by presenting data and excellent explanations on the process of climate change. 

During the presentation, the students and teachers present introduced their opinions and conclusions about the ice melt. Distributed handouts helped explain the amount of pollution human action contributes to the environment in a simple manner that helped students understand the causes and implications of climate change. 

In addition to the presentations in the auditorium, there was a student-run booth outside to assist students write to their local and congressional representatives about the environmental issues that matter most to them. This was a fantastic opportunity to involve students at Ferguson in the democratic process and ensure their calls to action are heard by our legislators.