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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Environment

An illustration of the Earth on fire. Laying on top of the Earth is a student on their phone.

Off Topic: Doom scrolling destroys the planet — not just your mood

Generation Z may be social-media warriors when it comes to climate activism, but our online activism and activity may be having unintended negative effects.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor November 11, 2024

Climate change has been at the forefront of political debates for decades, with Generation Z leading the charge in recent years. Nearly 50% of Gen Z say mitigating the impacts...

A woman in costume wears a pink wig with a crown. She has her hand over her chest, and is illuminated by blue light.

Opinion: Ditch your plastic Halloween costumes this year

If you are about to buy a last-minute costume for Halloween, try checking out a more sustainable option.
Anne Lise Tan, Contributing Writer October 31, 2024

Halloween might be a season for chills and thrills, but the real horror story lies in the unregulated sweatshops and factories that churn out those plastic-filled costumes. In...

An illustration of a building with a glass exterior with green plants growing. There are two pots of green plants drawn next to the building, all against a green background. The building is N.Y.U.’s Paulson Center.

Sad in the Paulson Center? There’s a solution.

NYU’s sustainability initiatives should extend beyond reducing our carbon footprint. We should have a visually lush and verdant campus.
Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong, Identity & Equity Editor May 4, 2023

As you enter the revolving doors of the new, billion-dollar Paulson Center, New York City's vibrant energy seems to fade away, revealing the new building's ineffectual space. The...

A panoramic view of the greenfield at Governors Island, with the Manhattan skyline visible in the background.

Opinion: You need to be around more trees

This semester, it's time to seek out more parks and green spaces in New York City.
Abi Rivera, Deputy Opinion Editor September 8, 2022

Being in nature is linked to improved health. According to the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, “Spending time around trees and looking at trees reduces...

NYU dining halls’ take-out packaging has accelerated plastic consumption at NYU. (Photo by Kiran Komanduri)

Opinion: NYU Eats Grab & Go should be more eco-friendly

The Grab & Go system at NYU’s dining halls creates excessive waste and must become more environmentally sustainable.
Grace Homan, Staff Writer February 10, 2022

The Grab & Go option is offered at all 14 NYU Eats locations and allows students to take food from the dining hall with single-use plastic containers and utensils. The United...

NYU Divest members sit in on the 12th floor of Bobst Library waiting to confront university administrators in 2015. (Photo by Lexi Faunce)

Opinion: NYU investors must commit to sustainability

From divesting to uplifting clean energy initiatives, NYU’s board of trustees must increase the sustainability and transparency of their investment decisions.
Clara Scholl, Contributing Writer February 2, 2022

In 2015, NYU’s student body led an “NYU Divest” campaign urging the administration and board of trustees to stop investing the university’s endowment in fossil fuels. Prompted...

To reduce the school's carbon footprint, NYU should go paperless by default. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Opinion: NYU should go paperless

The return of in-person classes has brought the return of printed syllabi. NYU should take action to go paperless.
Alexandra Cohen, Staff Writer January 31, 2022

As my class ended, I went to throw away my freshly printed syllabus in front of my professor. I didn’t want to be disrespectful — I just knew that I could access the syllabus...

The UN has done more than most realize to curb the effects of climate change. The organization is set to commence the Climate Change Conference on Oct. 31. (Photo by Camila Ceballos)

Opinion: The UN is taking substantial action against climate change

Despite climate defeatism and cynicism surrounding the U.N., the organization is making a difference in the fight for a greener future.
Camila Ceballos, Staff Writer October 25, 2021

As the United Nations prepares for this year's Climate Change Conference, starting on Oct. 31 in the United Kingdom, the efficacy of past efforts regarding climate change...

181 Mercer St., located between Bleecker and West Houston Streets, will be NYU's new multi-use building. NYU brands the building as sustainable, but the university’s board still includes members who have ties to oil and gas companies. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: NYU is using 181 Mercer for corporate greenwashing

181 Mercer Street should not distract from NYU’s failed record on climate. 
Maggie Stutz, Contributing Writer October 20, 2021

Green is the new millennial pink. It’s popular to care about the environment. People are considered trendy when they carry cute sustainably-made water bottles and shop at resale...

On Sept. 1, Hurricane Ida brought unprecedented amounts of rain to New York City and caused alarming floods. The damage has prompted more scrutiny on the city's future environmental agenda. (Staff Photo by Shaina Ahmed)

Opinion: Hurricane Ida highlights need for a more comprehensive climate strategy

The historic devastation Hurricane Ida wrought upon New York underscores the urgency of investing in climate infrastructure. Eric Adams’ climate plans, which remain vague, must prioritize climate resiliency and corporate accountability.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor September 13, 2021

Hurricane Ida dumped record levels of rain across New York City on Sept. 1, shutting down packed streets and highways and flooding subway stations. Damage and tragedy overwhelmed...

Protestors march in Manhattan as part of a climate strike. Sustainability movements must recognize the need for intersectionality. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: Let’s include voices of color into the sustainability movement

The sustainability movement needs to take strides to become more intersectional and community oriented.
Batoul Saleh, Staff Writer May 5, 2021

For the most part, Earth Day inspires people to post on social media with calls to action about the climate, the environment and how we, as individuals, can combat these changes....

The National Grid is constructing a fracked gas-line that runs through many marginalized communities in Brooklyn. This unsustainable energy method presents a real danger to the communities in which this main runs through. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: Brooklyn’s fracked gas pipeline endangers vulnerable communities

Despite the associated health and environmental risks, the National Grid plans to build a fracked gas pipeline that runs through Brooklyn, which will hit marginalized communities the hardest. It is about time that we halt this pipeline and transition towards green energy.
Asha Ramachandran, Deputy Opinion Editor April 26, 2021

A 7-mile natural gas pipeline is under construction in northern Brooklyn. The multinational utility company National Grid wants to build the pipeline to pump natural gas from Pennsylvania...