When people think about fall, they usually envision steamy pumpkin spice lattes, apple picking and raking leaves. Days of warm, summery weather? Not so much. That, however, has been the reality of the past few weeks, causing many people to become concerned about climate change and its increasing effects. While these worries about the climate are valid, people should not necessarily feel guilty for enjoying it.
For one, the warm weather has many health benefits; this is something people should take advantage of, not feel guilty for enjoying. For example, the high temperatures allow people to stay outside longer and enjoy nature without bundling up indoors. This can encourage more outdoor exercise, which is helpful for improving physical and mental health. Mayo Clinic notes that physical activity can help people feel happy and relaxed. It can also reduce anxiety, which is a growing problem, especially in the highly stimulating and overwhelming environment of Boston Latin School.
Sports teams and clubs also reap the benefits of the weather. They are able to continue practicing in the open air instead of moving inside. Peter Guo (I), president of BLS Volleyball Club, explains, “[w]e can keep the net up on Fridays after school. […] Last year, I think we cut it off a little earlier than November because the weather was too cold and nobody was willing to practice outside. Additionally, since you have to move around a lot in volleyball, wearing multiple layers of clothing make you move slower, and overall make[s] the sport less enjoyable.”
Being able to spend time outside often encourages students to meet with their friends and hang out allowing for better relationship development and more physical contact. In a time where screens seem to increasingly dominate our lives, it is crucial to take breaks and spend time with real people outdoors, rather than just using electronics.
While these advantages are clear, many feel the impact to the climate outweighs the pros. Gretchen Curran (I), Youth Climate Action Network (YouthCAN) co-president, elaborates, “The long-term impacts of climate change concern me as the weather gets warmer. While you might see it as a nicer day out, this is causing an increase in natural disasters and heatwaves during the summer. These changes are dangerous and have long-term consequences for our planet.”
Although warm weather is related to climate change, it is a symptom of the cause. Being upset or passionate about the climate is absolutely warranted, but it’s important to remember that one can still enjoy the weather, amid their concerns for the climate. Simply being upset that the weather is warmer for a spell will not change it or improve the state of the environment, so people may as well find solace in what they can.
Warm weather ultimately isn’t the problem, and people shouldn’t be antagonized for not being angry about it. Climate change, however, is an immediate issue that needs to be addressed. YouthCAN co-president Caleb Thompson (I) says, “I’d love to say that you could make a difference by doing your compost and recycling what you can, but realistically those things don’t make a huge difference. I’d say the best way to be environmentally conscious is to use your voice — commit to the movement. Eventually, we are going to have to deal with this issue, and even if it seems like we can’t make a difference now, it is imperative that we try anyway.”