Cuddle for carbon neutrality

The Vermont winter makes a solid argument against the existence of global warming, especially when gusts of icy snow get involved. Admittedly, this time of year provides some evidence for climate change — from chilly to colder to Winter Term — but except for a few strangely sunny days, Middlebury generally doesn’t get very hot during the school year. It can be difficult to think about global warming while living in a place where snow boots make their first appearance in November and won’t be packed away again until April.

Fortunately, the College administration has made addressing climate change (the real deal, not just the New England weather patterns that us Southerners don’t quite understand) a top priority evidenced by its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2016. The biomass gasification and wind turbine at the recycling center will help us get there, but especially with winter approaching, it’s important to note that fuel oil is still burned to bridge the gap in heating campus buildings that steam from the biomass plant can’t quite fill.

So what’s an environmentally friendly MiddKid to do? As difficult as it is to crawl out of bed into a chilly room on a cold November morning (December, January, February and most of March are rough, too), turning the knob on the radiator from 5 down to the little snowflake is a sure way to decrease demand on the campus heating system, and, through a long chain of factors, reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It’s not the most pleasant scenario, but fortunately our New England forefathers (and mothers) developed a way of dealing with the bitter cold long before central heating became a given: the sweater.

Donning a sweater is the perfect way to fight climate change while looking like a hoss. A snuggly wool sweater will keep you toasty while working your way through a late-night problem set, while layering a cardigan or crewneck over your t-shirt smartens up your class time look (definite A for participation). Don’t have any cute sweaters? Not a problem! Buy the most heinous amalgamation of fiber you can find at Neat Repeats and wear it ironically with skinny jeans for a chic hipster look perfect for Proctor salad bar. Sweaters provide warmth and style — the perfect combination of function and fashion — and come in a variety of styles to suit every taste.

Admittedly, I might be somewhat biased here; I have the same feelings toward Sweater Season that most guys have for Skirt Season: Bring. It. On. There’s just something about a man in a crewneck (or a v-neck, roll-neck, turtleneck, sweater vest, cardigan or anything with argyle) that causes the sort of primal feeling within me that I otherwise reserve for guys in lax pennies: I just want to cuddle. A lot. And really, once you’ve got the cuddling going, external heating becomes a moot point. So turn the dial on your heater down and find that sweater your grandmother bought you, the one that makes you look “so adorable.” She wasn’t lying, and things could work out very much in your favor if you happen upon another sweater-wearer. Saving-the-world kind of things, obviously. And really, isn’t reducing your carbon footprint always more fun with someone else?

Amy Prescott ’12 is from Arlington, Va.