sustainability

Why is Sustainability Important?

• Food Shortages: Studies suggest crop productivity in America is declining by 2-4% annually due to climate change. This continued decline could lead to a food shortage (or the need to import things like grains, cereals, vegetables, and meats). It could also mean significantly higher prices on everyday staples like bread, butter, and milk.
• More Forest Fires: The Pacific North West is expected to experience more frequent and more disastrous forest fires as global warming progressively gets worse.
• Decreased Snow Fall: As climates continue warming, snow fall will drop dramatically and potentially stop altogether in some places.
• Increased Diseases and Travel Limitations: As waters continue rising from the melting of icecaps, expect more insect-borne diseases like Zika to pop up as well as tick-borne viruses like Lyme disease. Prepare for limitations on where and when you can travel to certain parts of the world.
• Limitations on Fishing and Hunting: Warming waters from climate change will greatly alter fish distributions in different parts of the world and even make some species extinct. Above the water, changes in habitats and increased use of land as other parts of the country become less inhabitable means lower populations of commonly hunted animals such as deer or boars.

The 4 R’s of Sustainability:

Ways to Take Action

More Information:

• 10 Ways to Live Sustainability
• 12 Ways to Live More Sustainably
• 100+ Simple Tips to Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle

On Campus Resources:

• WOU Dining offers sustainable options for students.
• The Green Team
• Recycling Availability