In the information age, the constant influx of content can sometimes render it difficult to filter out different types of information. In the age of "fake news", this becomes even more complicated. Tragically, this phenomenon extends even to the fact-based fields of science, and if science misinformation and miscommunication are allowed to take root in the public conscience, its very difficult to weed it out.

One topic in particular that is constantly on the receiving end of unfounded, fear driven criticism is the hot topic (pun!) of global warming, which falls under the umbrella of climate change. The thought of one species drastically altering the climate of a whole planet almost to the point where it can no longer repair itself is terrifying enough, but our inaction is even more so. Now that I've scared you sufficiently, what can you do?

To be completely honest, I don't know. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to tackling the global problem of climate change and all of its side effects. That's mostly because climate change is not just one behemoth of a problem - its a series of medium-sized problems that comprise a whole. To create effective solutions to climate change, I think students need to pick particular problems within the sphere of climate change that they are interested in tackling and dedicate themselves to it. How do we go about doing this? Get started by learning about the problem and solution space. See which one (or ones!) keep you up at night thinking about them. Use that time you spend lying awake thinking about them to work on them. Here are some recent articles I think are fantastic that cover various aspects of the climate change puzzle.

1. The Role of Girls' Education in Climate Change

This may not be the first solution that comes to mind, but it's certainly one of the most important ones.

2. The Hydrogen Economy

I know what you're thinking - "Wait, what? And why do you have a picture of a truck and mountains as the carefully-selected image to represent a visual summary of the hydrogen economy?!" Say no more. Your questions will be answered in this excellent article by Vox.

3. Teeny Sea Creatures

They may be smaller than us and not know how to work Netflix, but these tiny creatures can pack a punch on Earth's climate, too.

4. Prodigious Perovskite

If you're a materials science or electrical engineering nerd (or know any!) you may have heard the word "perovskite." If you're like me, you probably want to know what it actually is and what the fuss is about.

5. ALL the Data

Yes, all the data, but maybe all the data centers could be a little more environmentally friendly...

6. Carbon Dioxide Removal Ft. One of my Favorite Authors

This article is a bit older, from 2017 (GASP) but it's a pleasure to read and very informative.

7. Interested in Renewable Energy?

Here's some good news for ya.

8. The Ocean, Again

Most of the Earth is covered in water, so it shouldn't come as a surprise there are an abundance of articles on the ocean's role in and how it is affected by climate change. Naturally, more than one of the articles on this list is gonna be about the ocean.

9. How are Animals Responding to the Effects of Climate Change?

Interestingly.

Earth Day was declared to be on April 22 in order to reach the maximum amount of college students on campus possible. Let's make that decision worth it and get to work learning about and solving the Earth's most pressing problems.