By Laney Konz, Staff Writer

The world is on fire and so is our campus. 

2023 was the warmest year in history, since we began globally keeping record of temperatures in 1850. In 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its climate report, a daunting reality check and reminder that we need to act now. Even then, our actions will not be enough to completely mitigate suffering. The IPCC warns that if we exceed a 1.5 degree Celsius global temperature increase (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), we could experience apocalyptic weather events. Our world as we know it will be damaged beyond repair — much more than it already is. 

I start with these stats not to deter people from action, as our work is not meaningless. But it is important that we understand the full scope of our reality. We cannot continue to move blindly through the world without understanding the consequences of our actions. 

What I am saying is that we are directly responsible for the earth — our actions matter. However, Xavier’s supposed commitment to sustainability doesn’t line up with its actions and funding. While walking around campus last week, I was struck by a burning smell. University staff were burning dead leaves that they had collected around campus. 

First, I want to emphasize that any critique of leaf burning that I put forth is not directed at any physical plant employees. They were doing their job. I have come to know that many individuals that work at Xavier, including Physical Plant, are interested in creating a more sustainable campus. However, lack of funding inhibits our ability to fully commit to these efforts. 

In 2021, President Hanycz committed to the Laudato Si’ Plan proposed by Pope Francis that includes goals of ecological education, sustainable lifestyles, ecological spirituality, community resilience and empowerment, care for our common home, promoting integral ecology and exercising social responsibility and moral leadership. Thus, Xavier created a Laudato Si’ Steering Committee that has been given the responsibility of creating a plan for aligning our campus with the goals laid forth by Pope Francis. However, real change requires action, not just words or plans put on paper. 

We have proudly labeled ourselves a Laudato Si’ university, but our university has not put in the effort to match this commitment. The Laudato Si’ Action Plan has minimal funding — around $5,000 for its entire budget, according to theology professor Dr. O’neil Van Horn, a member of the steering committee. To be frank, budgets are an indication of value, and I feel that our university has not put much value into ensuring we are committed to loving and caring for the creatures among us — this includes the neighborhoods around our campus, as well as the earth beneath our feet and the animals and critters living on the same land as us. 

In the spirit of action-oriented words, I want to propose a path forward: We must establish a university-wide compost system. We do have a small compost at the NEXUS garden, but imagine the benefits of making it a larger effort. 

Burning dry leaves emits large amounts of particles — dust, soot and solid materials that should not be inhaled. This causes damage to our lungs that can lead to coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and long-term respiratory problems — not to mention the effects leaf burning can have on people with respiratory conditions like asthma. 

Moreover, burning organic matter releases a ton of carbon dioxide. Sometimes, when leaves are in a pile for long periods of time (with minimal access to oxygen), they release carbon monoxide when burned. Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous gas. When inhaled, it reduces the ability of our red blood cells to carry oxygen. It is also a greenhouse gas. Moreover, we saw this summer in Cincinnati just how dangerous fires can be when they get out of hand — our city was smokey for weeks from the Canadian fires.

If we commit to a university-wide compost system, we can avoid these issues. Leaves are used as brown matter for compost, which is vital in a compost system as it reduces excess moisture. 

A compost system would be beneficial as it is an opportunity for us to improve our community outreach by using the compost to feed gardens that could then feed university students and people in need around us. It will create jobs. The regenerative benefits of composting largely outweigh the convenience of burning leaves to make our campus more “aesthetically pleasing.” 

As a Jesuit Catholic university, we are meant to be stewards of the earth. Although our work may not fully halt the climate crisis, it can make real impactful change. More than that, this work fuels our soul. 

As I have come to learn from Dr. Van Horn, slowing down — taking the time to be present — is a form of resistance against every instinct in our bodies that is telling us to give up. To bear witness to the damage done and to continue on despite the overwhelmingly disconcerting future of our planet is a form of hope. And now more than ever, we need to hope.