Madelin Morales
SAN MARCOS– Climate change in Texas has been increasing throughout the past five years with record-breaking events, and temperature changes. Climate change affects college student’s education, environment, and day-to-day life in many different ways.
With over 40 days reaching 100 degrees temperature or more, this summer was recorded to be the second hottest summer in Texas’s history according to the Texas Tribune. In 2021 the freeze across Texas caused chaos for many people, including college students with blackouts extended for days, leaving students and people across Texas without water, electricity, or proper transportation to food or warmth.
For some students, the winter freeze was the first time they experienced a snowstorm. Students were left with not only a lack of resources but also without their families for guidance. With the winter months fast approaching and an expected freeze, students’ education, transportation, and living conditions are subject to change drastically. Texas State junior Zoe Johnson was one of many students living in a dorm by herself during the winter freeze and hopes to be more prepared now.
“The insulation was not very good. The first two days, people around us were experiencing power outages and on the third day, [of the freeze] the power of the complex went out and it got so bad that ice was forming inside my room on the window,” Johnson said. “I was bundled up and there was a bunch of snow on the ground, and it was very difficult to ask my mom to come pick me up. I even had to drive in the snow for the first time to a nearby house of someone that I didn’t really know just to get warm.”
This year was the second hottest summer recorded in Texas’s history with many days over 100 degrees, and heat hazard warnings issued to the public. Many students were moving into dorms and apartments and traveling to and from class in over 100-degree weather. Johnson said the experience of moving into an apartment during the extreme heat was traumatic for her and her roommates.
“It was absolutely awful [moving into her apartment]. It was very hot, I believe it was 103 degrees,” Johnson said. “And the AC, since we’re going in and out, was like at 86 degrees and took forever to go down, on top of that we were going up more than one flight of stairs to move our stuff.”
With the new semester approaching this could lead to students that are transferring or subleasing moving in and out of their apartments or dorms during extremely cold weather conditions. Dr. Denise Blanchard-Boehm, a professor in the department of Geography & Environmntl Studies said students need to prepare and be resilient when finding ways to deal with climate change.
“From my years of risk communication research, I believe students need to be more aware of weather conditions, and be on top of predictions, and warning information,” said Blanchard. “I would like to see the university provide hazard information to incoming students at orientation, and be more responsible for providing information to returning students on how to prepare for Texas disaster events,” said.
Timeline of how Texas State university has combatted climate over the past five years.
The college student lifestyle is different from most ordinary adults. Students are managing class, homework and the effects of climate change around them. Current Texas State junior Mila Armstrong said she combats climate change by recycling and being conscious of her personal carbon footprint.
“I started going grocery shopping and quickly realized that I had so many plastic bags, way more than a person would need, and with plastic bags you can’t recycle them so I bought some reusable bags to reduce getting plastic ones, and they’ve really helped with grocery shopping,” Armstrong said. “Thrifting is also a thing I like to do. I’m a fashion and merchandising major and like shopping a lot but I know fast fashion is really big right now and I think that the best way as students we can really mediate that is to go thrifting, not only is it fun but it’s also good for the environment.”
Thrift shopping is a great way to sustainably shop. Texas State Fashion and merchandising major Mila Armstrong starts off her thrifting adventure by looking for new winter clothes to avoid buying a new expensive coat. 
Mila Armstrong and Texas State computer science major Sophia Leesenberg help give each other fashion advice when selecting items. A thrift store can feel overwhelming for some, having friends to help give advice is always comforting. 
A new pair of shoes from a fast fashion company can range anywhere from $50-$100. Texas State communications major Camryn Gonzalez enjoys the eco-friendly and personal side to buying shoes at the thrift store. 
When shopping sustainably with friends it can be helpful to share cart space to help other shoppers be able to have a cart as well. 
As a full time student, Sophia Leesenberg along with her friends, enjoys the affordability of thrifting. Sophia Leesenberg also appreciates the environmental benefits that come with thrifting. 
Not only is thrift shopping a way to shop sustainably, it is also a fun way to find cool clothes. 
Sophia Leesenberg, Camryn Gonzalez, and Mila Armstrong all join one another to carefully try on clothes over their own to avoid buying clothes they will not wear. 
When checking out together, Sophia Leesenberg, Mila Armstrong and Camryn Gonzalez discuss the new items they bought. 
While enjoying the sunset, Sophia Leesenberg, Camryn Gonzalez, and Mila Armstrong share their excitement for their new winter clothes. 
Ending the shopping day with three bags of clothes for family, friends and new winter coats has helped the reduction of fast fashion and environments well being.
For more information on how students can impact climate change and prepare for changing weather conditions check out the Texas state climate dashboard and the
