crises
My ignorance to national news continues to this day and I was shocked at myself for not fully grasping the effects of Hurricane Katrina until now. While I despise most national news networks, I primarily use their websites to view newsworthy photos. Once I saw a set of photographs of the Gulf Coast and, in particular, New Orleans, I was speechless. Without words. Entirely stunned. I again felt foolish for so blindly not noticing other students’ reactions to the recent events.
There is no use in commenting on something that has no proper expression so I will make a case quick and in brief. Help. There are several ways to send financial resources directly to the recovery efforts, but if you are able to, then grab your vehicle, load it up with any clothing you’re willing to part with, get a trunk full of groceries, and embrace benevolence in the wounded Gulf areas. Virginia Tech is offering immediate, temporary enrollment to students who were attending universities that were damaged/destroyed/stunted by the hurricane, until they can return to their home universities. I can’t be as gracious as that example, but I am sending what I can through the proper avenues.
Secondly, and I consider this with a level of urgency like no other, please conserve fuel. Gas, diesel, whatever; please be prudent with these precious gems. This is a resource that can never again be manufactured once the supply runs out (most studies are looking at mid-century for oil to be depleted in the U.S.) and by careful, conservative practices of driving, we can make a significant impact in the lifetime of the resource. We began stealing away American oil in the 19th century (correct me if that is off) and in just 200 years we are reaching the end of the oil fields. And that is NO JOKE. I am a vehement environmentalist when it comes to oil and nonrenewable resources and I refuse to purchase a car unless necessity breaks me.
Thus, I urge you to do what you can in both of these situations. This is a time to look after our own people and our ever-valuable Earth. Make the right decisions here.