Five months ago it would have been preposterous to expect students to do something for the environment. But now? Now that the university has taken upon its feeble shoulders the task of saving the environment, we are finally able to see real strides being made.
In a shocking move, the university replaced all plastic straws with paper straws. The university was strapped for cash, yet it came through for its students. This giant step has finally brought us closer to the day turtles will roam the earth without getting stabbed by plastic straws.
As the condensation on my plastic cup gives me a much-needed reprieve from the hot day, I can’t help but notice an unusual glow on people’s faces as they too partake in this momentous occasion of having contributed to saving the turtles. A young woman nearby rummages through her bag for her reusable metal straw as a discarded plastic granola bar wrapper flies away.
A man creates a commotion. He doesn’t want to use the paper straw. Several heads turn towards him in disbelief at his audacity. The turtles! I roll my eyes at my neighbour, how selfish must one be?! The man leaves the cafe, his head hung in shame.
My eyes catch on the newspaper laid out on the table beside mine. I try to read but I can only make out a few words — “crisis,” “divest,” “climate” — before I am distracted again. I keep sucking on my straw but am unable to taste the iced coffee. I notice the paper straw has disintegrated in the drink. I shrug, walk away and dump the half-full cup in the black bin — it’s garbage, right?
As I walk towards my home, hands full of groceries, the plastic bag digs in my hand but I can’t help but feel liberated. I have done my part for the environment. Have you?