The document discusses several pressing environmental issues, including unsustainable consumption patterns, climate change, ocean acidification, and rising temperatures. It argues that these problems are all caused by an "endless consume and develop" mindset and notes that simple lifestyle changes like reducing meat consumption, driving, and buying local can help address them. Finally, it recommends resources like the Collegiate Climate Collaboration website for learning more and getting involved in environmental activism.

1. Environmental Awareness MODULE #7 Narayan Subramanian Columbia University 2013

3. Now that you know why you ought to care, what’s really happening in the world right now…?

5. An important thing to note based on all the facts presented in the earlier slide is that though each one of these issues may appear to be separate and distinct, they are in fact all caused by the same mindset– the mindset that we can consume and develop endlessly without a limit. A mentor of mine gave me the analogy that we must advance from a “caterpillar society” to a “butterfly society.” Caterpillars in their nature eat/consume pretty much whatever they come across indiscriminately. They take more from their environment than they put back. Butterflies on the other hand, are very selective in what they consume, and over their lifespan replenish and put more back into their environment than they take from it. We ought to become a butterfly society.

7. Helpful Websites and Resources Check out the Collegiate Climate Collaboration ( www.collegiateclimatecollab.com ). The website contains the perspectives of college students who strive to raise awareness among youth on environmental issues. Join the discussion! If you’re interested in activism and making a tangible impact, check out www.350.org . The biggest acts of climate activism have all been organized by 350. Other than that, open your eyes and ears to everything that’s being discussed in the news today about the environment. I feel that a lot of us have simply tuned out because of the abundance of information. Tune back in and make a difference!

8. THANK YOU! NARAYAN SUBRAMANIAN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY [email_address]