Why did the fossil fuel industry invent the carbon footprint?

By ALEX MOTAWI — almotawi@ucdavis.edu

Everyone knows the concept of having a “carbon footprint.” The idea of reducing your carbon footprint has been around for a while (first coined in 2000) and is known almost universally due to its prevalence in the school curriculum for young kids. It caught on for a reason — many people want to be better and make a difference in keeping our environment healthy, and outputting less carbon is a way to do that. However, the movement did not sprout from the minds of altruists trying to be helpful — it was birthed by savvy marketers working for British Petroleum (BP). The third-largest oil and gas company in the world, which took in $300 billion of revenue in 2004 when their concept of the carbon footprint was reaching national popularity. 

The concept of the carbon footprint was popularized by one of the biggest carbon-emitting companies in the entire world. And it wasn’t created out of goodwill and a desire to do better on their behalf; it was a smokescreen designed to keep people from recognizing the carbon emitters that actually matter — big oil.

According to the BP-sponsored website “Know Your Carbon Footprint,” “The world needs smarter, more sustainable energy. When we work together, small actions can make a big difference. Use our calculator to find out how much carbon you use each year — and take the first step towards shrinking your footprint.” 

Let me tell you straight: the “we” they use is refering to us normal humans trying to live our lives, not oil companies actively destroying the environment and contributing to global warming.

The truth of the matter here is that our carbon footprint is minuscule compared to these large oil companies. Beyond that, it is impossible for someone in the U.S. to maneuver their carbon footprint to even just 8.5 metric tons, which is still over double the world average (4 metric tons, data from 2007.) This 2007 data places the average American at about 20 metric tons of emissions, but 8.5 is spent on your own behalf by the government — so it’s impossible for someone living in the U.S. to emit less.

Basically, you can only control part of your carbon footprint, probably around 20 metric tons per year. Now I’m not saying nothing you do to shrink your footprint matters. It all matters when we are in a fight to save our Earth, one we are currently losing. What I am saying is that the big oil companies talking about the carbon footprint of an individual like it’s the number one way to save the environment isn’t just disingenuous — it’s false.

BP’s operations in 2020 emitted 374 million metric tons of greenhouse gases (it was 490 pre-covid in 2018). Shell, the giant in an industry full of giants, emitted 1.337 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2020. Shell itself is responsible for 1.6% of the entire world’s carbon emissions. 

These are the companies that are “fighting for” a greener earth by trying to get the average person to save an amount that is a drop in the bucket compared to what they themselves emit into the atmosphere. The Shell company emits 66,850,000 U.S. citizens’ worth of carbon into the environment every year and isn’t legitimately even trying to shrink their contributions and instead pawning it off to us by pushing the idea of a “carbon footprint.”

While we should do everything we can to lower our emissions, the onus to actually make a difference falls on the big oil companies as well as our government. They know climate change is killing our world (and even knew and hid the knowledge of it from us for over 20 years) yet choose to ignore it for the sake of profit anyway. If we want to truly save our world from climate change, we need to look past the marketing facade that is our carbon footprint — and hold big oil companies accountable instead.

Written by: Alex Motawi — almotawi@ucdavis.edu

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

How to relieve and reduce Dutch Bros anxiousness  

By NADIA ANEES — nsanees@ucdavis.edu 

“Dutch Bros?” My friend asks me in a text that I wake up to on a Friday morning. That one question alone holds the power of making me look forward to rolling out of my comfortable little bed and beginning the day. “Dutch Bros” I reply without a second thought.  

Dutch Bros is a carefully crafted experience designed to make you, the coffee consumer, delighted. You can arrive to Dutch Bros in any state — still half asleep with bedhead and morning voice, in a state of complete anxiousness about your midterm tomorrow for which you are not prepared or hyper and gleeful at midnight after a night out with friends. Everybody has a different Dutch Bros style. But no matter what your style is, Dutch Bros is there for you whenever you need it —  morning, day or night. 

The experience of going to Dutch Bros is unlike visiting any other coffee chain. Going to Dutch Bros carries an excitement in my mind that is unlike a casual stop at Starbucks or Peet’s. 

It starts when you first see the blue hut in the distance. The warm and slightly retro  Dutch Bros sign invites you in. Then you’re met with the expected long line of cars that nearly meets oncoming traffic on Richards Boulevard. 

Once your turn to order arrives, an employee greets you with excitement, ready to get your order(s) in. They assure you that they can accommodate your drink needs exactly how you’d like. After a bit more of a short wait comes the handoff. At last you are met with a delicious concoction of a drink. The first sip makes your eyes dazzle.  

Despite rainy nights or windy Davis days, the Dutch crew brings uplifting energy and stays swaying gleefully to the music blasting inside their small, magical hut. Essentially I’m saying Dutch Bros employees are my heroes. 

Despite my clear fandom for Dutch Bros, I’m aware of how many people simply do not get the hype of the coffee shop or find visits to be a highly stressful experience. Here are some of my tips to make this experience one you can embrace, like I do. 

First, keep the Dutch Bros mobile app on your phone so that you can easily browse the menu from your screen well before you place your order. Take all the time you need while waiting in line to decide on the drink that sounds the best to you. Be sure to scan the app so you can start to accrue points for every drink purchase to eventually earn yourself a free one, too! 

Next, visit on the first of the month. You’ll be met with an exciting surprise of a free sticker when you request one for as long as supply remains. If Dutch Bros’ drinks are not convincing enough for you to make the trip, perhaps the vibrant and free stickers will be. 

Also, be sure to bring a buddy with you. Coffee obsessed or not, anyone can find something to enjoy off the menu. I will highly recommend that you stick to the classic menu, of course making alterations to the milk choice and sweetness preference, as needed. But with the classics I truly think you can’t go wrong. You can share the pre-Dutch nerves with your friend and enjoy your drinks together on a slow ride around cow town. 

Written by: Nadia Anees — nsanees@ucdavis.edu

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget where we are

By OWEN RUDERMAN — opruderman@ucdavis.edu 

Being a college student can feel like a full-time job. Schedules packed full of classes, deadlines and club activities need to be balanced with social lives and work. It’s extremely easy to become overwhelmed with the variety of tasks and responsibilities placed on us. Entire days spent worrying about what’s around the corner are exhausting. Luckily, though, there’s a way to put things in perspective.

It all started with my daily commute. Every day I hop on my bike, pop my earbuds in and ride to campus. At a certain point, the bike ride became part of my daily routine. The people and places around me blended into the background of my day as I rode through Davis, desperate to get to class on time. 

But a few weeks ago I had a sort of revelation. I had forgotten my earbuds and was heading back from campus in the evening. I was lost in my thoughts as usual, but then, for some reason I can’t quite explain, everything around me came into focus. I felt the soft breeze on my face. The nostalgic sound of crickets chirping in the grass nearby mingled with the sound of my tires on the asphalt. I looked up and saw the most stunning golden sunset I’d ever seen, accompanied by brilliantly white, fluffy clouds. I smiled to myself. I felt so incredibly present. It felt like everything was going to work out.

Since that day, I’ve been trying to take some time to stop whatever I’m doing and take in my surroundings. It’s easy to forget about the beauty of the simple things around us. I’ll be walking to class and stop to admire the quad. Or I’ll be sitting on the second floor of Wellman Hall and, instead of scrolling through my phone, I’ll peer out the balcony and people-watch. Taking time to admire the little things makes my day just a little better.

It’s not just my surroundings, either. Being more present in the moment has made me more appreciative of my relationships, with both myself and with others. I was in the Memorial Union the other day, eating a CoHo chicken quesadilla with my friends, when I decided to take a moment to soak everything in. I realized how fortunate I am to be at UC Davis, to have people in my life who care about me — to be alive.

While being more present has definitely improved the quality of my own life, don’t just take my word for it. A 2017 study reported that being more present in the current moment can actually decrease stress and increase resilience and well-being. As college students, I think we could all use a little of that.

So the next time it feels like everything is crumbling down around you, try to take a second to look up and really appreciate your surroundings. I’m willing to bet that your upcoming midterm might not seem so bad after all.

Written by: Owen Ruderman — opruderman@ucdavis.edu 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

Changing names should be a celebrated experience

By ALEX MOTAWI — almotawi@ucdavis.edu

Names are super interesting. They are oftentimes the very first thing that you judge and envision new people by, yet it’s often not something they choose for themselves. It really is essential that everyone has a name that feels true to themselves, and general fear as well as a negative stigma is getting in the way of that.

When you truly think about it, how can you expect a parent to pick a name for their newborn child that will fit the person throughout their entire life? People often come to accept or at least bear their names, but it should by no means be a requirement. This applies to when we pick our own names too — nothing says it has to be your name forever. Changing your name shouldn’t be a big deal nor should it be permanent, yet we treat names like they are.

What it boils down to is that names do not define a person. A person is defined by their actions and the way their actions are perceived by themselves and others, not a name chosen by someone else at birth.

We already change names often in the form of “nicknames” — why is that seen as different from actual names? People pick up new nicknames and drop old ones all the time and can identify with these nicknames more than their original names due to the memories behind their creation and their personal choice in the matter. The keyword there is “choice.” The fact that we can choose to introduce ourselves by our nickname as something that represents us really does matter — it gives us power over our own names.

As an Alexander, I can choose from a variety of nicknames until I reach something I’m happy with. But besides keeping the sentimental value my name may or may not have, why should I have to constrict myself to traditional shortenings of Alexander? Nobody judges me if I go by Alex instead of Alexander, but people would question me if I picked a different name like Jordan or Lily. This has to stop.

Depending on the name, people may get judged as humans before even their first interaction with someone new. It’s often the first piece of information available to someone, so it’s no wonder why they are going to form a cursory opinion of someone based on name alone, myself included. I will get instantly batched into all of the other “Alex’s” and that will lead to assumptions about me that I don’t want, regardless of if they are good or bad.

People should be allowed to do what makes them happy if it’s not at the expense of others, and being able to change names without judgment is the first step in the process. Plenty of people are unhappy about their name. Change it — nobody should feel stuck with a name they don’t identify with purely for continuity’s sake. Whether you just want to try something new or you want to keep your old name in the past, please don’t be afraid to make the leap of faith! I and others will support you every step of the way and hopefully soon, nobody will bat an eye.

Written by: Alex Motawi — almotawi@ucdavis.edu

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.