It’s no secret that climate change is a serious problem that is harming our society. As long as we have been alive, we have heard the horror stories of what could happen to Planet Earth if we don’t try to protect it. Apparently, it looks like many people have not learned anything, as the stories have just gotten a bit more horrifying. In 2016, the Paris Agreement was negotiated by 196 parties at the United Nations Climate Conference (UNFCCC). Essentially, the agreement’s intention was to try to neutralize climate change in an effort to save the planet. A main part of the agreement was the long-term temperature goal of keeping the Earth’s global surface temperature 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or two degrees Celsius, above the pre-industrial temperature. In addition, the limit of the increase should only be 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement holds that this issue can be addressed through a major decrease of greenhouse gas emissions, with the emissions ideally disappearing in the middle of the century. In 2020, the United States withdrew from the agreement, but they rejoined the agreement in 2021. Unfortunately, the situation with the planet’s temperature is becoming more dire, as the surface temperature reached the dangerous temperature briefly recently, which shows that the possible ways to improve the planet have not been properly followed. That could be dangerous for all of our lives. Now, there are also sources saying that Trump may withdraw the Paris Agreement once again, which could create even more danger and troubles for the Earth.

We, as a small university newspaper, know that our ability to influence meaningful change in the fight against climate change is inherently limited. But, as active members of society, we also know that’s not a valid excuse for inaction. That’s why we encourage all members of the Brandeis community to take action both in our community and in their own communities against this. We encourage Brandeis’ administration to do more on this issue, particularly as it pertains to its own sustainability office. The fight against climate change can be a daunting, scary task. It can feel hard for institutions to take meaningful action when inaction is more profitable. But, like the title of this editorial says, we’re all gonna die (unless we do something about it). So, Brandeis, let’s do something about it.