Environment Archives - Washington Square News

Opinion: ChatGPT’s environmental destruction outweighs its benefits

While much of the discourse surrounding artificial intelligence concerns plagiarism, the significant environmental costs often go overlooked.

Serin Lee, Contributing Writer • February 4, 2025

Artificial intelligence platforms have taken the world by storm. AI — referring to any technology that can process information and superficially mimic human thinking —...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....