You've heard about this problem.
Yes, we need to change the planet. Yes, we need to use less water, and plastic, and more recycled paper - oops. Yes, we need to do that soon and buy organic and fair trade, but we also need to graduate, live and pay bills. With all this in mind, global warming and eco-consciousness has become a red light for many students.
People do understand [protecting the environment] is a huge problem, but they get unmotivated because they don't think they can do anything about it,"" said Emily Hosek, activities coordinator of We Conserve, a growing organization at UW-Madison.
Many students, according to Hosek, question the impact they could have on large, global problems such as global warming.
Another problem, according to Rick Brooks, a UW-Madison professor in the school of Human Ecology, is that students do not place conservation on their list of day-to-day priorities.
""It's called pre-contemplation,"" Brooks said. ""In other words, you're thinking about other things. You are not thinking about conservation.""
ECO-NFLICT
According to Brooks, the biggest challenge in reducing the effects of global warming is not the issue itself but changing the attitude of the public - including students.
""You can teach [students] the consequences of their actions, but you can't force them to be conscious of their actions,"" Hosek said.
Although the first step is changing student attitudes, Hosek said, the crucial part is trying to get students to rethink their habits.
""It is not as much of a caring issue because a lot of people do care about [conservation],"" Hosek said. ""[The hard part] is getting people involved with [conservation] and conscious of their habits.""
According to Brooks, student impact on global warming demands more than just education but instead a change of lifestyle.
ECO-MBAT
According to Brooks, students have a great deal of influence on their peers and the attitudes of their generation.
""One of the most powerful things you can do is to influence others,"" Brooks said, giving an example of a student changing a norm by turning the lights off when leaving the room.
This action, according to Brooks, may catch attention of others and encourage them to change.
""One person making a change ... can produce a domino effect in other people,"" Lea Zeise, a We Conserve manager, said in agreement. ""One action can spark a big change.""
ECO-NFUSED
This change may, however, be caused in part by increased trends in being green, according to Brooks, who noted global warming may not be the primary reasons students change their behavior.
""If we can persuade the person to change her habits for the right reason, that would be awesome,"" Brooks said. ""But the truth is that, in most cases, it doesn't matter why you do it.""
With the growing popularity of conservationism and ""going green,"" Brooks said, students tend to explore the eco-life because of social pressures rather than because they think it's important.
""We are trying to change the norms,"" Brooks said.
""So what is more powerful: the need to be accepted or to follow the instructions?""
The change of behavior, he added, is part of a movement that involves those who don't necessarily care about the environment but do care about other things.
""It is not for people who only love the outdoors,"" Hosek said. ""You can find your own reason that proves that the way we are living right now cannot be sustained.""
Whatever the reason, student involvement hinges on knowledge, Zeise said.
""Getting information across the students is the most difficult challenge for us,"" Zeise said. ""They are so busy with classes and other things that conservation goes down the list of priorities.""
In addition, Zeise said, students need to consider the less immediate consequences of a non-sustainable lifestyle. For instance, using plastic cups does more harm than just filling a landfill.
""You're not just using [plastic] and throwing it away,"" Zeise said. ""You're supporting an entire market that uses non-renewable resources.""
According to Zeise, students' change of attitude and behavior can encourage their peers to take action and eventually change the global market.
This world-wide issue of conservation is not only for those with global power, Zeise explained, but for students who make choices every day about how they act and what they purchase to support sustainability.
""You're voting with your dollars on how the world will run,"" Zeise said.
