Well, I think I speak for everyone when I say that 2020 was a year we would rather move past! Not much seemed to go well and even when it did, it was painful. With a global pandemic a lot seemed to be put on hold, and unfortunately that includes sustainability. But with vaccines on the way, hopefully this year will allow the world to focus on a green future! 

A lot of people relished at news that our carbon footprint decreased dramatically this year; many even said this would help with our long term planetary health. This is sadly not the case. While clearer skies and waterways were a side effect, they were not a permanent result. Sustainable research is still needed! I have faith that most who understood the energy crisis were not confused by this short term positive news, and if you are reading this blog post then you are very likely one of those people!

As we begin the next annual chapter in human history, I hope that you continue to have faith in our future! Youth centered scientific research is a keystone of a healthy planet. Students looking into sustainable practices will be the defining factor in the long term health of our home. How are you helping us get there?

(Whenever you hear of responsible climate policies being proposed, you almost invariably hear the response of “it is too expensive, we cannot afford that.” It is very difficult to properly describe how much a statement like this frustrates me. I do not think that there is a cheap fix for our climate issues, that would be naïve. But I find it to be infantile to look at the cost of action and ignore the cost of inaction!

The cost for responsible action is purely monetary. And money is something that we can certainly make more of in a sustainable environment. The money is invested and will spur job growth, create opportunities, provide a healthy environment, improve current technology, fashion new technology at the cutting edge of science, etcetera etcetera etcetera. 

The cost for inaction? Rising sea levels that destroy coastal cities and island cultures. Increased droughts and famine that plague millions. Larger numbers of disease carrying insects. In short, a world much harsher than the one that gave birth to us; one that will kill millions more every year. 

And somehow governments, politicians and civilians alike look at the enormous (but relatively small) cost of acting now, and view it is “too much.” To be able to speak and act this way is one of privilege. The knowledge that the impending climate disaster will impact you on a far smaller scale than those in innumerable other places on earth. This too is short sighted and selfish. While maybe they and their children will be fine, their grandchildren will undoubtedly suffer too. 

Thankfully there are more who see than do not, and this gives me hope! If you are entering into the Clean Tech Competition then I am certain you have a reasonable view, and I hope you try to help others see the light!

In the course of administering the Clean Tech Competition, one thing that has struck me is the inconsistency in research programs amongst secondary schools. My own did not have any sort of research program and when I look even now they still do not. And it makes me wonder: why? Why is research not more of a thing in every nation, large or small, wealthy or poor? My initial thoughts are that it is the same reason that many students do not perform research on their own; they feel as though they need a big expensive lab to be able to accomplish anything because that is the image they have always had.

Surprise, you do not! While it certainly helps, a fancy lab does not cause you to innovate, it merely helps. And if anything, the perception of a lab being necessary stymies growth on its own. Several of the best projects from the Competition have been done in an informal setting. 

If this sort of thinking, that science can be done anywhere, was more prevalent, how much farther along could we be as a world? If everyone looked around and saw something they could improve on their own and did not feel a major obstacle, what would that accomplish? In younger kids especially, a whole lot. Children are curious as a rule. Encouraging them to apply their curiosity at a young age would inspire legions more to pursue a scientific career. At least, that is how I see it!