Reversing human corruption vital to pushing back pendulum of climate degradation

Anthropocene.

The term, coined in the 1980s and popularized throughout the 21st century, tends to represent a stark definition of the present. The most popular proposals for the beginning of the epoch of humanity include the Industrial Revolution, from which modern crises like climate change, mass extinction, and land degradation emerged, and the detonation of the first nuclear bomb, when humanity’s potential to momentarily incinerate the world was seared into the molecular composition of Earth’s atmosphere, geology, and organisms—these would hardly seem to indicate that mankind is a positive influence.

Though it seems perhaps an arrogant word, premised on the notion that humans have become the primary force driving environmental change on the planet, it is likely appropriate, for there is no part of nature, from Antarctic ice cores to the upper bounds of the atmosphere, that has not been touched in some way by this species and its technology. 

Anthropocene is more than a description of the current moment and the past that has precipitated it. The term and the ecological disruption warranting it also signal the potential for humanity to guide the planet to a more sustainable existence, empowering individuals and communities anxious about the Earth’s environmental future. 

A survey of West students this March revealed a nearly universal sense that society can and should adopt more sustainable practices. Of the 271 students surveyed, 142 said that stopping climate change and protecting the environment is the responsibility of individuals, companies, the federal government, and state/local governments—all four options presented—or wrote in a free response that it is everyone’s responsibility to take such action. Only 12 students said that no one is responsible for protecting the environment or that they did not know whose responsibility it is, or left the question blank.

The overwhelming majority of students—256 of those surveyed—also reported taking action as individuals to promote sustainability. The most common way that students reported trying to support the health of the environment was recycling, followed by shopping habits such as thrifting or buying sustainable products, reducing their energy consumption, and composting.

Though she believes it is important for all people to reduce their environmental footprints, sophomore Hiba Malik thinks companies and the government have an important role to play in making it easier for individuals to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

“I think it’s mostly convenience. It’s more convenient to drive places than to walk there. Also, with different things that we have, like paper straws, paper straws are gross, actually, so no one wants to use them,” she said. “It’s just more of a hassle to care for the environment.”

Some students feel that it is futile to work as an individual to try to evade ecological crises of a planetary scale. 

“When a few tens of people are responsible for the perpetuation of the systems that cause the majority of the pollution in the world, it is ridiculous to say an individual that has to rely on said systems to survive is responsible for the damages those systems cause,” wrote one anonymous student. “The responsibility of the individual is an excuse that has been for decades used as a scapegoat by corporations avoiding change so they may maximize profits.”

Most students, however, feel that achieving sustainability should be an all-out effort, in which individuals have a critical role regardless of the comparatively small scale of their environmental footprint. Senior Jacob Schaefer believes that it is important for people not to underestimate the contribution they can make to the health of the planet.

“Without anyone, nothing would happen,” he said. “Even if it’s just one person, it’s still making a difference, and if other people see their cause and they’re motivated to help them, it becomes two people, and then they can eventually grow into a whole organization or even bigger than that.”

Though the past year has been marked by dramatic rollback of federal environmental regulations and support for sustainability initiatives, communities are still making strides towards environmental protection and resilience. 

Electricity generation from solar and wind surpassed that of coal for the first time in 2025 and exceeded new energy demand last year. Even as federal policy changes discouraged investment in renewable energy projects in the US, the majority of the nation’s new energy supply came from solar power last year.

Scientists are finding new ways to implement renewable technology, rolling out solar-powered LED lights on gillnets to reduce incidental sea turtle netting in the Gulf of California.

Researchers at the University of Missouri are studying algae that can be used to collect microplastic pollution and potentially converted into new plastic products, and fungi on the Hawaiian islands have been found to consume microplastics.

Local communities are also driving major victories in sustainability. Amy Barrilleaux, Director of Communication for Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy group operating in the state since 1970, notes recent achievements of the organization.

“So right now on the policy side, we’ve been working to get legislation passed on PFAS, or forever chemicals, to release funding to communities that have been struggling with PFAS contamination in their waterways and drinking water,” she said. “So that looks to be headed in a good direction in the legislature and we hope to get that passed here in the next couple of months.”

Barrilleaux also highlights how Clean Wisconsin has partnered with communities to help them achieve environmental self-determination.

“One recent analysis we did was looking at data centers and the amount of energy and water that they are going to be using in Wisconsin, and then we are able to get that to the communities who need information when they're potentially finding a data center that’s coming to town,” she said.

Dr. Misty McPhee, associate professor of Environmental Studies and Biology at UW-Oshkosh, is inspired by the collective action being taken to address environmental crises across the globe.

“I learned this from a colleague, that we are one of maybe four countries who don’t as a country acknowledge that is an issue. The rest of the world does,” she said. “When she told me that, it actually gave me hope. Before that, I was like, we’re so screwed, we’re not doing what we need to, but all the other big countries are aware of this and are trying to do stuff, and that makes me feel a lot better.”

Five Strategies to Reduce Your Environmental Footprint

Power Renewably

Power generation is the world’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and renewable energy offers a nearly net-zero alternative to fossil fuels. Although switching to clean energy sources like solar can carry high up-front costs for individual businesses and homeowners, it presents long-term returns, because wind and solar are the cheapest forms of energy development in Wisconsin.

Individuals can also support large-scale renewable power adoption by reaching out to elected representatives. A current bill in the state legislature, for instance, would create additional barriers to large solar and wind projects by requiring a new layer of local approval for development.

Eat Plant-Based

Raising livestock and growing feed accounts for 80% of agricultural land use, and meat production involves extensive land-use change in some of the world’s most critical carbon sinks and ecosystems. Animals also produce significant amounts of methane during digestion—in fact, roughly one-third of global methane emissions come from livestock. Switching out low-emissions meats like poultry and pork for high-emissions proteins like beef could cut 38% of the average American’s dietary carbon emissions, one study found, and foregoing meat with some or all meals has even greater benefits.

The way food is prepared is also a major determinant of its environmental costs. Minimizing food waste and cooking with the stove or an air fryer instead of the oven can save energy and prevent carbon dioxide and methane emissions.

Speak Out

From shaping government policy to resisting data center construction, communities across the region are demonstrating the power of environmental advocacy. Barrilleaux says that individuals have particular opportunities to be heard on the state and local level.

“Here in Wisconsin, if you are concerned about climate change, there are a number of clean energy projects, wind and solar projects, that are before the Public Service Commission for approval right now. The public can comment on those and show their support,” she said. “There's also a chance to speak out against projects that are not so good, like big gas-burning power plants, things like that.”

Many organizations, including Clean Wisconsin, provide educational resources and a platform for contacting policymakers to help individuals share their environmental priorities.

Reduce, Reuse

With waste reduction and lower energy demand than producing new materials, recycling offers major benefits for the environment. However, with many materials, especially plastics, being practically impossible to recycle or requiring large amounts of energy and chemicals to be repurposed, reducing consumption in the first place is even more effective. Whether by thrifting, turning down the thermostat during the day, or finding alternatives to single-use products, individuals can adopt more sustainable habits.

Dr. McPhee says that this begins by asking about the origins of the goods they use, and their eventual destinations as waste.

“If people think about the products they consume and how those products impact land use, that is a huge help,” she said. “Every decision we make has ripple effects that travel globally.”

Shop Locally

Shopping at local businesses reduces greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, protects habitat by limiting land use change, and cuts down on waste from packaging material. Barrilleaux suggests that consumers can explore local businesses and shop at farmers’ markets to support sustainable production.

“Conventional agriculture in Wisconsin is a huge contributor to climate change because of the way things are farmed, the nitrates that are put on the field, things like that,” she said. “So figuring out a way to support local agriculture, people who are using more sustainable farming practices, is really important.”

Critically, shopping locally doesn’t guarantee greater sustainability; produce grown out of season in heated greenhouses, for instance, may have higher greenhouse gas emissions than that grown in another region.

by Aria Boehler

Published March 20, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue VI