It is said, when you are faced with adversity, it is better to march forward in attempt of triumph, than hide behind the face of fear. “It’s not over until it’s over,” the common phrase goes. 

Students at New Mexico State University are incorporating that mentality as they hit the midpoint of the semester, but also as they realize the face of humanity and the planet depends on the actions they take now. On Monday, Oct. 8, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released a report indicating the hazards that could be predicted if the world does not drop down their net emissions of carbon dioxide by 45 percent come 2030. 

According to the IPCC report, global warming is on track to climb to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels between 2030 and 2052. Brandon Miller of CNN explained that this raise in temperature could increase the risk of extreme drought, wildfires, floods and food shortages for millions.  

These predictions have encouraged NMSU Aggies to head in a more ecologically conscious direction. 

“We need to come together as a nation and as a world to work together to try and save the planet,” Seana Hunt, an environmental science major at NMSU said. “We only get one earth, we have to preserve what we have left.” 

First year student Jeremy Hicks said he was optimistic that humans could change the course of global warming. 

 “Sure, 45 percent sounds impossible, but 2030 is still more than a decade away. I think if we were to all do our part efficiently and diligently, there is hope,” Hicks said.  

Students are emerging and are willing to come together to create and participate in accommodating behaviors to help save mother earth.  

 “There are so many things we can do to save the environment, we’re just too lazy to be doing them,” Samantha Rogers, NMSU junior, said. “Recycle, invest in a bike, plant more trees, it’s the little things that are going to make the big differences.”  

In 2007, NMSU signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. The mission of this contract was intended to contribute to the effort of addressing global climate disturbance by eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions from university operations and contributing to the research of re-stabilizing the earth’s climate.  

NMSU’s agreement to the commitment has promised their involvement in educating students on climate neutrality and sustainability and to encourage the students of the university to generate solutions of their own to the creation of a sustainable society.   

It is not the responsibility of the faculty or students at NMSU, nor the Las Cruces community or state of New Mexico alone to take on the fight against climate change, the epidemic is much bigger than that. If there is any hope left in saving our planet—there must be a global commitment.